How much does a funeral cost?

The cost of a funeral depends on the choices you make and where in the UK the funeral is arranged.

To find out how much a funeral will cost at your local Co-op funeral home, use our funeral cost calculator.

How much does a funeral cost?

The cost of a funeral depends on the choices you make and where in the UK the funeral is arranged.

To find out how much a funeral will cost at your local Co-op funeral home, use our funeral cost calculator.

We’re here to help you understand how much a funeral costs. We explain everything from our funeral director costs to the cost of the service and the choices you make.

You can arrange a simple direct cremation with no service or a small service with just the essentials. It could be something more traditional or a funeral with lots of personal touches.

Personalised funerals

Choose what to include and what to leave out with a Tailored funeral. Fully bespoke, you can choose from a range of additional products and services to make the funeral as personal as you’d like it to be.

Lower cost funerals

If you’re looking for lower cost options, we have 3 different funeral types to choose from. Whatever you choose, we can help plan a funeral that’s right for you and your budget.

Breakdown of funeral costs

The cost of a funeral is made up of the following:

  • the funeral directors services
  • third party costs such as burial or cremation fees
  • added extras such as flowers, limousines and notices in the paper

Burial costs

If you're looking to arrange a burial service there are additional costs you may want to consider. Such as, the purchase of the burial plot, grave digger fee and minister or officiants fees. Burial costs can vary greatly depending on where you are in the country, use our funeral costs calculator to find out more.

Cremation costs

Cremation costs can vary depending on where the arrangements are being made in the UK. A cremation service is generally the cheaper option when arranging a funeral service. Use our funeral cost calculator to find out more.

Funeral director costs

What’s included in our funeral director costs:

  • all aspects of the funeral arrangement, providing a dignified and personal service, including the use of our funeral home facilities
  • working with third parties such as clergy, florists, crematorium and cemetery staff
  • preparing and completing all necessary documentation
  • care and preparation of the deceased, this includes bringing your loved one into our care, preparation of them for the funeral and embalming services depending on the choice of funeral
  • provision of a hearse and all necessary personnel, for example coffin bearers and drivers
  • coffin or casket which will be fully lined and fitted
  • extras like limousines and flowers, these are at additional costs depending on choices

Third party costs

Third party costs can also be known as third party fees or disbursements. These costs are paid to third parties for arrangements not provided by the funeral director, such as:

  • church fees
  • cremation fees
  • burial fees
  • minister* or officiants fees
  • any additional personalisation such as musicians

*There are no fees for Church of Scotland ministers.

1 in 2 people need probate after someone dies

Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone's home, money and possessions after they have died. When you arrange a funeral with us, we can help you understand if you need probate.

Not everyone needs probate. It’s unlikely to be needed if the person who died:

  • did not own a house in their sole name
  • had less than £20,000 in the bank

Check if you need probate
Couple talking to each other outside

How much will a funeral cost in my local area?

Funeral costs can vary depending on where you live in the UK. You can find out how much our funerals will cost in your local area by using our funeral cost calculator.

Help with funeral costs

If you’re wondering who will pay for the funeral if there’s no money, please let us know as soon as possible, as there may be government help available to support you.

If you’d prefer to pay in instalments, you may be eligible to apply for a funeral loan through our partner Funeral Safe. You can find details on loan amounts and repayments, eligibility and details on how to apply here.

To find out how much a funeral may cost, use our funeral cost calculator.

How to pay for the funeral

How you pay for the funeral depends on the type of funeral you've chosen.

If you've chosen an Essential or Tailored funeral

When you’ve made your choices on the funeral arrangements, we’ll give you a written estimate of the funeral costs. At this stage, if you'd like to change anything we'll be able to do this, although any changes may affect the final funeral costs.

The funeral is paid in 2 parts:

  1. You'll need to pay a minimum of 50% of the total estimated funeral cost within 48 hours of making the funeral arrangements.

  2. To provide the right support and guidance, we may conduct a soft credit check which will determine when the remaining balance is due. You may be asked to pay in full before the funeral takes place or we’ll send you an invoice after the funeral, which needs to be paid within 21 days.

You can pay:

  • online in full or part of the remaining balance
  • at the funeral home with cash, credit or debit card
  • by phoning the funeral home with debit or credit card
  • at your bank or post office

If you've chosen a direct cremation or direct burial

You'll need to pay for a direct cremation or direct burial in full within 48 hours of making the arrangements. You can pay online, over the phone or at your local funeral home. We accept cash, credit and debit card payments.

Find your local funeral home

Enter your town or postcode to find a Co-op funeral home near you.