As the cost-of-living crisis continues to rage on, there is sadly no better news when it comes to funeral costs. SunLife recently released their Cost of Dying Report 2025 and found that it is currently more expensive than ever to die. But what do these statistics really mean? Where is your – or your loved ones’ – money going? And what financing options are available to ease stress in an already emotional time?
The cost of dying is not just the cost of the funeral itself. It refers to the full price of saying goodbye to a loved one: from funeral director fees and the ceremony to legal and administrative fees, and everything in between.
This includes:
In 2020, funeral costs peaked. But, due to pandemic-related restrictions, prices briefly dipped. Now, however, they are climbing once more.
According to SunLife’s 2025 Cost of Dying Report, the total average cost of dying in the UK in 2024 rose to £9,797, up 1.4% (£139) on 2023.
The cost of a basic funeral has jumped 3.5% to £4,285, even though professional fees have decreased slightly. Unfortunately, it is those in London and the South East of England who are bearing the brunt:
For families in Sevenoaks, Swanley, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Borough Green, Orpington and Chelsfield, and Chislehurst and Bromley, this paints a worrying picture, especially when arranging a funeral at short notice, however, at Welham Jones, our costs sit securely below the county average at £3,700.
Despite professional estate administration fees decreasing by 3.5%, the cost of funerals and send-offs continues to rise. Here’s why:
While some elements like limousine hire and funeral notices have dropped slightly in popularity, other items remain as requested as ever:
This suggests families are still keen to personalise a loved one’s farewell, even if budgets are tight.
However, if families are still devoted to a more personalised memorial, it begs the question: How – and who – is financing growing costs? According to SunLife, while 68% of people plan ahead to cover funeral costs, only 56% manage to set aside enough. This leaves many next of kin covering the shortfall.
To bridge the gap (on average, £2,371), many turn to:
And with 1 in 5 people saying funeral costs affect their standard of living, the pressure is very real. In some cases, families must cut back on essentials like food or struggle to pay rent or bills.
At Welham Jones, we understand the financial weight of planning a funeral, especially during a time of grief. That’s why we offer pre-paid funeral plans that allow you to lock in today’s prices and make your wishes known – reducing both emotional and financial stress for your loved ones.
Alternatively, if your loved one has passed away and you are struggling to cover funeral costs, we are happy to talk to you about your eligibility and application for Funeral financial aid, which is means-tested on your financial status and not that of the deceased.
We remain committed to our ethos of transparency and also encourage families to consider cost-saving choices without compromising on dignity or respect, such as:
You can also speak to us about more flexible options, such as basic funeral packages, or discuss how we can tailor a service to fit your financial needs.
As a local, independent, family-run funeral director, we know the importance of putting an empathetic, compassionate face to a name, and being able to build a rapport with your funeral director. This is why it is our pleasure to introduce Tonbridge locals to Rosanna Hayward, our passionate and committed funeral arranger, overseeing our Tonbridge operations.
As a funeral director serving communities across West Kent and South East London, I’ve witnessed firsthand how music can profoundly shape a farewell. Whether you’re arranging a funeral in Sevenoaks, considering a pre-paid funeral plan in Tonbridge, or simply exploring options in Chislehurst and Bromley, understanding the role of music can be invaluable.
Today, cremation is the most popular choice when it comes to funerals in the UK. As funeral directors operating across West Kent and South East London, Welham Jones Funeral Directors see first hand how it outranks burial even more sharply in this crowded corner of the country where land is at a premium. Yet, surprisingly, just under a 150 years ago, the practice was still illegal. Why was that, and what changed for it to overtake traditional burials?
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