How do I plan a funeral and how much will it cost?
“I’m 67 and recently widowed. I want to start planning my funeral because I don’t want my children to have to deal with everything when the time comes. I’ve no idea what the costs are or what I need to decide in advance. What’s involved in planning a funeral and how much is it going to cost?”
Anne, Cardiff
I'm sorry to hear about your recent loss, Anne. It's often the case that losing a loved one makes us think about our own arrangements. The complexity and cost suddenly become clear, and we want to avoid putting our family through the same ordeal. I’ve outlined three key decisions for you to consider below.
1. What type of funeral would you like?
Have you thought about what you want to happen to your body after you pass away? Most funerals chosen in the UK last year (2025) involved an attended cremation (53%), while others preferred a burial (26%). A growing number of people are opting for a no-frills Direct Cremation (21%), a lower-cost option without a service.
You can also consider the type of service you'd like. This may depend on religious or cultural factors, but your own wishes are important too. Some people like the idea of a large ceremony with flowers and limousines; others would prefer a small, simple ceremony for close family and friends. Which would you prefer?
Maybe you don’t really mind what happens after you pass away – that’s something I’ve heard a lot! But remember that your decisions will affect your loved ones, who might have their own preferences or help to fund your ceremony. Only 1 in 5 people who make funeral plans actually discuss their wishes with family first, but it’s often a good place to start.
2. How will your funeral expenses be paid, and what's your budget?
There's no denying that funerals are getting more expensive - the average cost of a traditional attended funeral has risen by 146% since 2004.
At the time of writing, you’re looking at an average of £5440 for a traditional attended burial, or £4200 for a traditional attended cremation. Keep in mind that prices vary across the country, and are likely to be even higher by the time you pass away. This is one reason for the growing popularity of Direct Cremations, which cost £1628 on average – although these are usually unattended, leaving loved ones to make their own separate memorial plans.
Once you know your budget, you will need to consider how you want everything to be paid for. Around 77% of us leave some form of financial provision for our own funeral, and if this is what you want to do there are several options available to you.
At the time of writing, about a third of funerals are at least partially covered by a pre-paid funeral plan (33%). Others are paid for using savings or investments (23%), or money from a current account (16%). Money from life insurance policies (11%) or whole of life insurance (11%) can also help to cover costs. However, be aware that funeral plans and insurance policies have inherent risks and limitations. They’re not suitable for everyone, so you should seek independent financial advice before choosing a financial product.
If you are worried about costs, you’re far from alone. In fact only 42% of us actually leave enough to cover the full cost. If you think you may be eligible for financial help, you can find more information here. Remember to talk to your family, seek independent advice if you need it, and explore all your options to make an affordable plan.
If you want more information about planning and financing a funeral, you can find helpful advice at Citizens Advice, Which? and MoneyHelper.
3. Make sure your wishes are recorded
Making a plan is a great first step, but your wishes can only be followed if you share them!
Outlining your funeral preferences in a will isn’t always enough. For a start, they aren’t legally binding – and there’s always a chance they will only be read after the funeral has taken place.
You might consider writing a Letter of Wishes for your funeral, which can be kept safe by family members or a solicitor. As well as the big decisions, this allows you to consider smaller details such as your music preferences, the type of ceremony you want, any readings you’d like delivered, or whether you’d like flowers or donations to charity.
You can find Letter of Wishes templates online if you want to write one, and I’ll be adding some specific guides to this website in the near future. Just remember that a Letter of Wishes isn’t legally binding, and that you should seek legal advice if you want something more formal.
Whatever decisions you make at this point, I think it’s great that you’re starting to make plans now and considering your family so carefully. Best of luck, and feel free to get in touch with any further questions!
(Funeral costs and statistics sourced from SunLife’s Cost of Dying Report 2026)
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice. Details are accurate at the time of publishing, and no liability is accepted for any inaccuracies or future changes. Always seek independent advice before making financial, legal or medical decisions.
