Funeral plan costs depend on the arrangements, the type of service you choose to have and any personal touches that you wish to add to make your funeral individual to you. Location, type of funeral service, transport, type of coffin, and extras such as flowers or a wake can affect the price.
Taking out a funeral plan means that you are able to secure the Funeral Directors’ services in your plan at today’s prices, significantly reducing the costs that your loved ones will incur when the time comes.
How much does a basic funeral cost?
The average cost of a basic funeral is higher than ever. At £4,184, it has increased 1.7% since 2019 – and 128% since 2004.
Basic funeral costs include the fees for the cremation or burial, doctor, funeral director, and sometimes the minister or celebrant. It also includes the medical certificate needed when someone passes away.
At Capital Life, our simple plan is our most affordable plan and is a direct cremation which does not include a service. This plan is suitable for those who wish to keep matters simple, but also want to make things easier for their loved ones by making preparations.
Top Funeral Cost: Funeral Director’s Fees
More often than not, the single most expensive funeral cost is the fee for a Funeral Director’s services. Their experience is invaluable, as they are experts in navigating the legal and physical requirements of dying. Typically, they will also prepare the body and casket and can decorate the burial site or service hall, and organize transport to and from the service.
Funeral costs vary depending upon the type and scale of the service and its location in the UK. The funeral director’s costs may also be discretionary, but it is estimated that roughly 52% of a basic funeral’s budget and 69% of a cremation’s budget will go to the funeral director.
Second Highest Funeral Cost: Disbursements
Disbursement expenses to cover the cost of a burial or cremation typically come second to the funeral director’s fee. These wide-ranging funeral costs include the use of a crematorium and Celebrant or Minister’s fees for administering a service. Even the cheapest of these arrangements can exceed £1,600.
Variable Funeral Costs: Discretionary Costs
The rest of the expense typically comes under a discretionary bracket that covers everything from transport and venue rental to catering costs. As mandatory expenses rise incrementally, discretionary costs are gradually falling, suggesting that people are attempting to cut down on the personal touches to afford the compulsory charges associated with dying. On average, people spend £1,928 in discretionary charges, as more and more individuals settle for basic services and direct cremations as affordable alternatives to expensive ceremonies.
Funeral Care from Capital Life Funeral Plans
At Capital Life Funeral Plans, we’re proud to provide funeral plans that suit a range of budgets. We believe that few things are as important as taking control of your own end of life planning to protect you and your loved ones from the unforeseen funeral costs.
Customer service is our number one priority, so if you’d like any more information about covering funeral plan costs with a Capital Life funeral plan, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We can also assist with Wills, Inheritance Planning, Probate, and LPAs.
*All figures were drawn from The Sun Life Cost of Dying 2021 report.