With the average funeral in the UK now costing just under £5,000, it’s very common to have concerns about how you can ensure that your estate will be able to cover the costs of your funeral, or how to manage the costs if you have to arrange a funeral for a loved one. We guide you through the different options to ensure the costs of your funeral will be covered, as well as ways to create a fitting tribute to your loved one without breaking the bank.
If no pre-paid funeral plan or life insurance is in place, the responsibility for paying for a funeral typically falls to the person arranging it — usually a close family member or the executor of the estate. The cost is usually reclaimed from the deceased’s estate later through probate, but initially, payment may need to come from personal funds.
It’s important to note that funeral expenses take priority in the administration of an estate, meaning that banks will usually release funds directly to a funeral director before probate is complete.
However, research by British Seniors found that nearly half of the 1,500 people they questioned who had arranged a funeral within the past five years met some of the costs themselves (British Seniors Funeral Report 2025). Of these, a quarter said that the death was unexpected/no plan had been made, another quarter wanted to give their loved one a better send off, while more than a third said the deceased hadn’t saved/hadn’t set aside enough to cover the cost of their funeral.
If you’re planning ahead for your own funeral and want to relieve loved ones of any financial burden, there are a few helpful ways to ensure that your wishes are both respected and affordable:
It’s natural to want to honour your loved one in the best way possible — but that doesn’t mean overspending. Start by understanding all the elements that contribute to funeral costs. These may include:
For a full guide to what costs might be involved, visit our Funeral Costs page.
There are many ways to create a meaningful farewell while still being mindful of budget:
A well-planned, dignified funeral doesn’t have to be expensive – with the right support and options, you can honour your loved one without financial strain.
While some of us don’t want to give any thought to our own funerals, others have a very clear idea of how we would like to be commemorated when our time comes. If you know what kind of funeral you would like, can you ensure that your wishes will be upheld? You may be surprised by the answer.
When you lose a loved one, you suddenly have only weeks to prepare their funeral – at a time when you are dealing with your own grief, and probably that of people close to you and the deceased. These key questions will help you choose a funeral director who will work with you to shape the farewell you would wish your loved one to have.
Most people underestimate the number of decisions involved in organising a funeral, so giving your loved ones some guidance beforehand can take pressure off what is already an emotional time. It can also help their wellbeing if they know that your final farewell was in line with your wishes and they have done you proud.
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