How much does a funeral cost in the UK?

What you'll really pay — and how to compare like for like.

The short answer

A traditional attended funeral from a funeral director typically costs around £2,500–£3,000 for the director's own charges, before third-party fees. A direct (unattended) cremation is far cheaper — often £1,200–£1,800. But prices vary widely between firms in the same town, which is exactly why comparing published price lists is worth it.

What makes up the cost

A funeral cost has two parts:

• The funeral director's own charges — their professional services, care of the person, a coffin and a hearse.
• Third-party fees you can't avoid — the cremation or burial fee, and sometimes doctors' or minister's fees.

The price comparison on this site shows the funeral director's charges, taken from their official CMA price list. The cremation or burial fee is extra and varies by crematorium or cemetery.

How to bring the cost down

• Compare several funeral directors near you — the gap between the cheapest and most expensive in one area is often over £1,000 for the same service.
• Consider whether a direct cremation suits you — it's the lowest-cost route by some margin.
• Check whether you qualify for help with costs (see our guide on help paying for a funeral).