Cost of cremation UK
On average, cremations are cheaper than burials in the UK.…
6 min
The cheapest way to be cremated is by having a direct cremation, also known as ‘cremation without ceremony’ or ‘unattended cremation’.
A direct cremation is the cheapest cremation because there’s no funeral service or ceremony with loved ones before the cremation.
It's an increasingly popular option for people in the UK who want to cut back on funeral costs.
According to the 2024 SunLife Cost of Dying report:
Please note, Reassured are unable to sell funeral plans. If you are looking for a funeral plan we suggest you check the FCA register to find a regulated provider.
Direct cremation is a cremation without a funeral service or ceremony beforehand.
It means a cremation takes places straight away, at a time and date decided by the crematorium, with no attendees.
After the cremation, the ashes are either scattered at the crematorium gardens or returned to the family.
Direct cremation is typically chosen by people who don’t want a lot of fuss for their funeral; or it may be the right choice for financial reasons.
Some families choose to hold a memorial service or celebration of life for their loved one once the ashes have been returned.
A direct cremation costs on average £1,498 in the UK[1].
This amount includes the average cost of:
With a direct cremation, you don’t need to pay for additional extras that are usually part of a traditional funeral.
For example, there’s no need to spend money on:
Factors that can determine the overall cost of a direct cremation include:
A basic cremation funeral costs on average £3,795 in the UK.
This amount includes the average cost of:
In 2023, people also spent on average £2,768 on additional extras which make the send-off.
Additional extras include:
For this reason, the cheapest way to be cremated in the UK is by having a direct cremation.
Reassured can provide over 50s life insurance to UK residents aged 50 - 85. The pay out could help cover the cost of your cremation.
Cover could cost from as little as 20p-a-day so why not contact one of our friendly team members for a fee-free, no-obligation quote?
What happens before, during and after a direct cremation is usually as follows:
As there is no funeral service, some families choose to arrange a separate memorial or celebration of life at a time and place to suit them.
The differences between the services that may be included in a standard funeral with cremation and a those of a direct cremation are shown in the table below:
Service | Standard cremation | Direct cremation |
---|---|---|
Guidance and advice from a professional funeral planner |
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Collection, transportation and care the deceased |
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Choice of time and date for cremation |
|
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Choice of crematorium |
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Choice of coffin |
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Pallbearers |
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Viewing of the deceased at the chapel of rest |
|
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Hearse or choice of alternative vehicle |
|
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Funeral procession with limousines |
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Funeral service at church or crematorium chapel on the day of the committal |
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Return of ashes |
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|
Whilst a direct cremation is the cheapest way to be cremated, it won’t be the right way for everyone.
For example, some people don’t want the fuss and expense of a traditional funeral service, but they would still like a few family members and friends to come together for a small ceremony before the cremation.
Fortunately, there are other options available to suit different needs and budgets:
Do It Yourself’ funeral
A Do It Yourself (DIY) funeral means family members would handle all the arrangements of the funeral instead of using a funeral director.
A DIY funeral would include the following arrangements:
This type of funeral may save you money but could also be stressful for the family particularly whilst they are grieving.
Donate body to science for a free cremation
It could be possible to donate your body to science and this wouldn’t cost your family a penny[2].
Medical institutes across the UK accept body donors for anatomical examination, research and education.
The institute may arrange a cremation and memorial for donations, or the family could request the body to be returned so that they can have a private burial or cremation.
This may not be a preferable option for some people due to religious reasons or family tradition.
Shop around for the best prices
Find the cheapest cremation in your area by shopping around and comparing the prices and services offered by local funeral providers and crematoriums.
Some of the bigger providers offer a broad range of funeral services at competitive prices.
Cut back on optional extras
In 2023, people spent on average £2,768 on flowers, limousines, venue hire and catering. If you want to make big savings on a cremation funeral, this is a good place to start.
The family could arrange their own transport, flowers could be kept to a minimum and the wake could be held in someone’s home free of charge.
Take out an over 50s plan
An over 50s plan is designed to pay your loved ones a sum of money when you pass away, which could be used to help pay for your final send-off.
Acceptance for over 50 life insurance is guaranteed for UK residents between the age of 50 - 85, making it an attractive option for those in this age range whose main interest is to cover their funeral expenses.
A pay out is guaranteed to your loved ones and the money can be used to help cover the cost of your cremation to prevent them having to pay out the full amount from their own pockets at an already difficult time.
No medical information is required, and the sum assured you could secure is up to £20,000 depending on your age and budget.
Why not contact Reassured about over 50s life insurance today?
If you’re unable to arrange and/or pay for the funeral of a loved one who has passed away and there isn’t enough money remaining from their estate to cover the funeral, then the following options may be available:
In 2023, 20% of families faced notable financial concerns when paying for a loved one’s funeral.
On average, they had to find £2,716 out of their own pocket to cover the whole cost.
If your family would struggle to come up with the money for your final farewell, then you may consider an over 50s plan to help ease some of the financial burden.
An over 50s plan guarantees acceptance to applicants aged 50 - 85 and guarantees a pay out when you pass away.
You don’t have to answer any medical questions when applying, even if you have a pre-existing health condition.
[1] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/
[2] https://www.hta.gov.uk/guidance-public/body-organ-and-tissue-donation/body-donation-medical-schools
[3] https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/help-paying-for-a-funeral