Losing someone brings grief. Then comes the bill. The average UK funeral costs over £4,000, and you often need to find this money quickly. You might not know where to start, especially if your loved one didn’t leave funds set aside or if you’re already stretched financially.
You have options. Banks can release money from the deceased’s account to pay funeral directors. The government offers help through Funeral Expenses Payment if you’re on benefits. You can choose simpler services that cost less. Funeral directors may let you pay in instalments. Charities exist specifically to help families who can’t afford funeral costs.
This guide walks you through paying for a funeral when money is tight. You’ll learn what funerals actually cost, how to access any available funds, what government support you can claim, which type of service fits your budget, and where to find extra help. We cover practical steps you can take today, not vague advice. Whether you’re planning ahead or dealing with a recent loss, you’ll find clear answers about making funeral payments work.
What funerals cost in the UK
Before you can figure out how to pay for a funeral uk, you need to know what you’re actually paying for. Funeral costs vary wildly depending on what type of service you choose, where you live, and what extras you include. The national average sits at £4,285 for a basic attended funeral, but you can spend anywhere from £1,500 to £8,000 or more.
Basic funeral cost breakdown
Your funeral bill splits into two main parts. Funeral director fees cover collecting the deceased, care of the body, a coffin, and transport. These average £3,108 across the UK. Then you pay third-party costs like crematorium or burial fees, doctor’s certificates (in Northern Ireland), and a celebrant or minister.
A direct cremation costs £1,597 on average, while a traditional burial can reach £5,198.
Here’s what different funeral types actually cost:
| Funeral type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Direct cremation (no service) | £1,597 |
| Direct burial (no service) | £1,527 |
| Basic cremation with service | £3,980 |
| Basic burial with service | £5,198 |
Extra costs you might face
You’ll likely spend more on the send-off itself. Wakes, flowers, order of service sheets, and memorial services add an average £2,861 to your total bill. Some families skip these extras entirely. Others spend thousands on catering and venue hire. Your location matters too. Funerals in London cost significantly more than those in Northern England or Wales.
Step 1. Check what money is already available
Before you explore how to pay for a funeral uk through outside help, check what funds the deceased already had. Most families find at least some money that can go towards funeral costs. You need to act quickly because funeral directors often require payment within days of the service.
Check the deceased’s bank accounts
Contact the deceased’s bank straight away. Most major banks will release funds directly to the funeral director when you show them a certified copy of the death certificate and the funeral invoice. You don’t need to wait for probate. The bank’s bereavement team handles these requests regularly.
Banks typically release between £5,000 and £50,000 before probate, depending on their internal policies. Ring the bank first to ask about their specific threshold. Some banks require you to visit a branch, while others handle everything over the phone.
Most UK banks will pay funeral costs directly from the deceased’s account without waiting for probate to be granted.
Look for prepaid plans and insurance
Search the deceased’s paperwork for funeral plans or life insurance policies. Check filing cabinets, desks, and safe deposit boxes. Look for documents from funeral plan providers or insurance companies. Some people tell their solicitor about these arrangements, so contact their legal representative if they had one.
Prepaid funeral plans usually cover the full service cost. Life insurance policies pay out to named beneficiaries, who can then use the money for funeral expenses. Contact the provider immediately to start the claim process.
Step 2. Apply for government and state help
The UK government provides Funeral Expenses Payment to help people on qualifying benefits cover funeral costs. This payment can cover the full cost of burial or cremation fees, plus up to £1,000 for other funeral expenses like the funeral director’s services. You must claim within six months of the funeral date.
Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility
You can claim Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain benefits and you’re responsible for arranging the funeral. You must be getting one of these qualifying benefits at the time of the funeral or when you claim:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit (with disability or Child Tax Credit element)
The deceased must have died in the UK, and you must be their partner, parent, or close relative. The government checks other family members’ financial situations, so they may reduce your payment if someone else could reasonably contribute.
If you’re on Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits, you can get help with funeral costs through Funeral Expenses Payment, covering burial or cremation fees plus up to £1,000 for other expenses.
How to claim Funeral Expenses Payment
Apply online at GOV.UK or request form SF200 by ringing the Bereavement Service helpline. You need the deceased’s National Insurance number and details about any money they left behind. Include information about their estate (property, savings, insurance) because the government will reclaim payment from it later if possible.
Submit your claim as soon as you can after the funeral. Most people receive a decision within eight weeks, though complex cases take longer. Scotland offers a separate Funeral Support Payment through Social Security Scotland, which works similarly but has different rates and rules for residents there.
Step 3. Decide what kind of funeral you want
Your choice of funeral service directly affects how to pay for a funeral uk because different services carry vastly different price tags. You control more costs than you might think. Cutting back on certain elements can save thousands of pounds without compromising dignity or respect for the deceased.
Direct cremation saves the most money
Direct cremation offers the cheapest funeral option, costing around £1,597 on average. The funeral director collects the deceased, performs the cremation without a service, and returns the ashes to you. You skip the funeral ceremony entirely, which eliminates costs for venue hire, celebrant fees, flowers, order of service sheets, and catering.
Many families who choose direct cremation hold a memorial service weeks or months later. You can celebrate the person’s life in a park, at home, or in a community hall. This approach gives you time to grieve before planning a gathering, and you avoid the pressure of organizing everything within days of the death.
Direct cremation costs less than half the price of a traditional funeral, giving you flexibility to hold a memorial service at your own pace.
Traditional funerals cost more but offer choice
Traditional funerals with a service typically cost £3,980 for cremation or £5,198 for burial. You get a ceremony at the crematorium or graveside, with mourners present. The funeral director provides hearses, limousines, a coffin, and handles all arrangements for the service.
You can reduce costs within traditional funerals by choosing a simpler coffin, limiting the number of cars, buying flowers from a supermarket instead of a florist, and selecting a basic order of service. Tell your funeral director upfront that you need to keep costs down. Most funeral directors work with families on tight budgets regularly and will suggest ways to save money without compromising the service quality.
Step 4. Arrange payment plans and extra support
Even after checking available funds and applying for government help, you might still face a shortfall when figuring out how to pay for a funeral uk. Funeral directors understand financial pressure and many offer payment plans that let you spread costs over several months. You can also contact charities that specifically help families struggling with funeral expenses.
Ask funeral directors about instalment payments
Ring your funeral director before committing to any arrangements and explain your financial situation honestly. Most directors will work with you to create a payment schedule, though they typically require a deposit to cover third-party costs like crematorium fees. Some funeral directors charge interest on payment plans, while others offer interest-free instalments over six to twelve months.
Many funeral directors will arrange interest-free payment plans over 6-12 months if you discuss your budget limitations upfront.
Contact charities for funeral grants
Several charities provide grants to families who cannot afford funeral costs. Quaker Social Action runs the Down to Earth project, offering advice and small grants through their funeral costs helpline on 020 8983 5055. The Child Funeral Charity helps families who have lost a child. Friends of the Elderly provides grants to older people and their families. Apply directly through each charity’s website, explaining your circumstances and the shortfall you face.
Next steps
You now understand how to pay for a funeral uk through multiple pathways. Start by contacting the deceased’s bank to check what funds you can access immediately. Apply for Funeral Expenses Payment within days if you receive qualifying benefits, as the claim process takes several weeks. Ring funeral directors and discuss your budget openly before committing to any arrangements.
Consider whether direct cremation suits your needs. This option costs significantly less than traditional services while maintaining dignity and respect. You can hold a memorial service later when financial pressure eases. Compare quotes from at least three funeral directors to understand local pricing variations.
If you’re exploring direct cremation as an affordable alternative, Go Direct Cremations offers transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Our service handles all arrangements, allowing you to focus on remembering your loved one rather than navigating complex funeral logistics and expenses.