Funeral costs - a guide to lowering costs and budget funerals 

How can we organise and arrange a low cost funeral for our loved one, or ourselves, while staying faithful to their wishes? In this piece we'll outllne how to

• Reduce the cost of a funeral

• Plan a funeral to a fixed budget

• What's the least you can pay for a funeral?

• How to bury someone with no money

• Children's funeral costs

It’s a hugely difficult, emotional and financial situation for many families - many of whom have to find an average of £1,981 to make up the cost of their loved one’s funeral, according to 2019 statistics.

9% of people organising a funeral also said they felt pressured into spending more money than they wanted. But funeral planning on a budget - while celebrating a loved one’s life - can be done with the right support.

While you can receive help with funeral costs, there are also many ways that you can reduce these expenses yourself. Here’s how to organise a low cost funeral - one that is faithful to your loved one’s wishes and faithful to your budget.
 

Funeral costs at the lower end

While the average cost of a funeral is £4,417, there are many ways to organise a lower cost funeral if you can plan ahead. These can include reducing the costs of the basic funeral (for example, choosing a direct cremation), or opting for a green or woodland funeral.
 

 Going green costs less

Green funerals can be a suitable way to organise a funeral at a lower cost. A green funeral - sometimes referred to as a woodland funeral - is an environmentally friendly option too. These are low cost funerals as they usually take place in natural burial grounds or designated woodland burial sites, and use biodegradable coffins - usually made from wicker, recycled paper or willow. These can save costs, as plots are not typically marked with a headstone, but with flowers or trees. Visit our advice guide on green funerals for more information.
 

Direct cremation costs less

Direct cremation is another way to organise a low cost funeral - and an affordable option not many people are aware of. A direct cremation costs around £1,000; significantly cheaper than a standard cremation (which costs £3,858 on average).

Essentially, a direct cremation is a cremation with no funeral service - so there is no need for additional expenses like officiant fees or flowers. The body is sent straight to the crematorium and then ashes are returned to loved ones to be kept or scattered. But this doesn’t have to mean a less personalised or special celebration: after the body has been cremated, families can choose their own celebration of their loved one’s life.

Funeral planning on a budget

If you are working to a tight budget, there are a range of ways to reduce costs and still create a personalised and special funeral. Here is our advice on arranging a funeral on a budget.

Reduce send-off expenses

The send-off; the little extras that make a funeral service special, like flowers or service cards, can quickly become one of the most expensive elements of funeral arrangements.

• If you’re funeral planning on a budget, this can be an effective method of keeping costs low. Perhaps your loved one was a keen gardener, so why not plant a tree in the honour, or take a beautiful bunch of flowers from the garden (if that's ok!) . 
• How about having the wake at home rather than using an outside venue, your loved one may have preferred a smaller celebration with close family in familiar surroundings.
• If the wake is at home, save on funeral costs by asking people if they could bring a contribution for the food and drink. 
• Choosing a cardboard or MDF coffin, instead of a traditional wooden one, is another way to reduce costs.
• Vehicles can often be a significant funeral cost. Asking family members to make their own travel arrangements rather than supplying limousines, will save hundreds of pounds. 

By prioritising certain elements according to your loved one’s preferences, and your family’s traditions, you can reduce expenses without compromising on the quality of the day.

Ask for help -  crowdfunding

This is a slightly more unconventional option for funeral planning on a budget, but many families who struggle to raise the funds for their loved one’s funeral are turning to crowdfunding campaigns online via sites like Just Giving or Go Fund Me. By inviting friends or family to chip in, the funeral can be a community-led celebration of your loved one’s life - funded by everybody who knew them.

Compare funeral directors

Did you know that 90% of people get only one funeral director to quote for their wishes?

With the average price difference being 46% for the same funeral from providers on the same high street, this alone can be the reason many families struggle to find a cost effective funeral - but price comparison is a very effective method for funeral planning on a budget.

You can see itemised costs and understand what you need. This, as research shows, doesn’t always happen: grieving families want the best for their loved ones, and researching these costs can be upsetting, time consuming, and confusing. This is where Legacy of Lives can help. We make price comparison easier and allow for your wishes to be noted, shared and compared, all from the comfort of your home annonymously. Start planning your end-of-life wishes and requesting quotes from more than one funeral director.

Create a saving plan

Noting down your funeral wishes and researching costs, allows you to manage your budget and potentially set-up a savings plan, paying monthly installments. 

What is the least you can pay for a funeral? 

Funeral prices vary depending on where you are in the UK, and burials tend to be more expensive than cremations. The cheapest funerals in the UK are direct cremations, which involves an unattended service and no wake, the average price of a direct cremation is around £1,000. 
it can always be followed by a celebration of life/memorial at a later date -  some choose to mark the occasion of burying or scattering the ashes with a gathering and celebration of life on that day.  

How to bury someone with no money 

If you cannot afford a funeral there is lots of help available. There are charities that can offer financial support and government grants available. A way to raise funeral funds that has become popular in recent years is crowdfunding.

If a deceased person has no funds in their estate to pay for their funeral and no next of kin that is willing to pay, the local authorities will organise a public health funeral. Take a look at our page help with funeral costs for links and contact details to for relevant grants and charities. 

Children’s funeral costs

If you are organising a funeral for a child, you will not need to cover the costs of the service. In these circumstances, funeral directors do not charge a professional fee for a coffin, casket or transport - and you will usually be eligible for government assistance. If the child is under 18 at the time of death, or stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy (and the funeral will take place in England), you can receive a Children’s Funeral Fund from the government. This covers burial or cremation fees, the cost of a doctor’s certificate, and the cost of a coffin, shroud or casket up to £300.

In summary, the best way to keep funeral costs low, is to consider where reducing expenses is a viable option: either in limiting send-off fees, or exploring lower cost options faithful to your loved one’s wishes. The most effective methods, too, involve comparing prices between funeral directors, and creating a manageable payment plan for these costs.