Funeral Costs Why are Funerals Expensive

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Funeral FAQs

Why are Funerals So Expensive?

We’re often asked why is there such a wide variation in the price or the cost of funerals? And the short answer, is two things. Complexity and content. By complexity, I mean, is it to be a very simple, straightforward, unattended cremation at the lowest end of the price spectrum?

Or is it to be a very elaborate affair with a memorial service, perhaps following on from a church service with private cremation or burial? Complexity means time. Time means money. On the other aspect, content. A very straightforward cremation, unattended £1200. If you want to have horse drawn hearses, church service, cremation following on, doves, a reception, maybe a floral blanket to place over the coffin.

That alone would be £2,000. Then you are looking somewhere in excess of £10,000. That’s Simon Welham, Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials. Help and advice at an emotional time.

Are You Looking For a Local funeral director near you in or in the Sevenoaks area?

We are here to help you in your time of need, any time of day or night. 24/7, 7 days-a-week. We are here for you.

We have local funeral homes across west Kent and south east London.

Tonbridge Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
164 High St, Tonbridge TN9 1BB

Tel: 01732 617171

https://www.welhamjones.co.uk/Contact/Tonbridge

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/q2hKSMfJypEper2A6

Our other funeral homes can be found:

Swanley Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
31 Station Rd, Swanley BR8 8ES

Tel: 01322 619100

https://www.welhamjones.co.uk/Swanley

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/6cqrE4rVDUKqWJDC8

Bromley & Chislehurst Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
4 Belmont Parade, Green Ln, Chislehurst BR7 6AN

Tel: 020 8467 2222

https://www.welhamjones.co.uk/Contact/Bromley%20And%20Chislehurst

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/y1a1GJWZYDc2fmrN7

Borough Green Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
43 Western Rd, Borough Green, Sevenoaks TN15 7AN

Tel: 01732 780600

https://www.welhamjones.co.uk/Contact/Borough%20Green

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/87ibpNnngcHmi1uV6

Sevenoaks Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
156 London Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1DJ

Tel: 01732 742400

https://welhamjones.co.uk/Contact/Sevenoaks

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/akb9VE8YZ63yKb1z9

Swanley Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
31 Station Rd, Swanley BR8 8ES

Tel: 01322 619100

https://www.welhamjones.co.uk/Swanley

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/6cqrE4rVDUKqWJDC8

Tunbridge Wells Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
39 Crescent Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2JZ

Tel: 01892 300330

https://www.welhamjones.co.uk/TunbridgeWells

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/g3zmhPebA3BhSPGG7

Chelsfield & Orpington Funeral Directors

Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials
9 Windsor Dr, Chelsfield, Orpington BR6 6EY

Tel: 01689 452525

https://www.welhamjones.co.uk/Contact/Orpington%20And%20Chelsfield

Find us here : https://goo.gl/maps/k2akzUEdeSWJKpVF9

Funeral Home BUSINESS HOURS:

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Monday 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am–5:00 pm
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02 Jul 2025

The price to die: how much do funerals cost in 2025?

by Simon Welham

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?

25 Jun 2025

The most popular – and most surprising – funeral songs we’ve heard

by Simon Welham

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.

18 Jun 2025

The history of cremation in the UK

by Simon Welham

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?