Cheapest Funeral Plans: Affordable Options Explained

When it comes to planning a funeral, affordability often comes with an unnecessary stigma. People worry that a "cheap" option might mean skimping on care, quality, or dignity. At Pure Cremation, we believe that saying goodbye shouldn’t cost the earth – and it certainly doesn’t mean cutting corners. 

A simple, cost-conscious funeral can be just as meaningful as a traditional one, focusing on what really matters: honouring the life of your loved one in a way that reflects their wishes and brings comfort to those they leave behind. 

In this article, we’ll explore how you can plan a respectful and memorable farewell without overspending, proving that affordable doesn’t have to mean impersonal. 

How do I have a cheap funeral?

How much does a funeral cost? 

In order to work out how much an ‘average’ funeral would cost, we use the SunLife cost of dying report. The "cost of dying" refers to the total expenses associated with end-of-life arrangements, including funerals, cremations or burials, legal fees, and any other related costs.  

The most recent cost of dying report tells us the average cost is around £4,285. This is a 3.5% increase compared to the previous year. As not everyone puts aside sufficient funds to cover their funeral, those left behind face anxiety, stress and debt when faced with the prospect of paying for the send-off. For many families, such a financial responsibility can be very challenging. They may be forced to borrow money from friends and family, take out a loan, pay for it using a credit card, or sell possessions to cover the cost.  

Understanding funeral costs 

• Funeral director’s fees
• Doctor’s fees
• Clergy or officiate fees
• Cremation or burial fees 

• A memorial
• Catering
• Limo hire
• Venue hire
• Flowers
• Order sheets/service cards
• Death notice 

While it’s easy to blame the funeral director for the ever-increasing cost of a send-off, we must remember that their professional fees are only part of the picture. The cost of the cremation itself is beyond the funeral director’s control and can vary greatly depending on where you die.  

Not every crematorium operator recognises the need for a “no funeral” option at a lower price, which makes it difficult for many local funeral directors to match the cheapest online offers. 

The most affordable option for a funeral: direct cremation 

Direct cremation is a distinctive alternative to having a funeral, and can be 60% cheaper. A direct cremation also offers greater financial control and flexibility over how you say goodbye, as opposed to the familiar formula offered by most local funeral homes. A provider must offer more than a super-low price, which is why the Pure Cremation team has drafted the UK’s first Direct Cremation Code of Practice and made it easy to find all the information you need. 

Discover low cost funeral plans in the UK 

If you’re worried about the future cost of your funeral, affordable funeral plans will protect you against the rising costs. In addition, it allows you to document your final wishes, plan ahead, and pay for your funeral in advance. Some people worry that funeral plans aren’t safe, but those offered by members of the Funeral Planning Authority have been scrutinised thoroughly.  

If you want a cheap funeral plan there are many on the market, and it pays to shop around, but they all have certain benefits in common. The most obvious is that you pay today’s prices for a service you might not need for 20 years or possibly longer. You can also detail your wishes for the service itself, for example, any special readings, flowers, or music you’d like, without involving the family to make such decisions for you. 

With a low-cost funeral plan, you have full control of your funeral and the type of event you want it to be. Include as much detail as you like, and feel safe knowing that you can change some of your wishes, free of charge, as long as they are within the plan that is. The majority of cheap funeral plans in the UK provide the option for you to pay for your funeral plan monthly. When you pay for your funeral plan over 12 months, there are usually no additional charges. However, if you pay over a longer-term, an instalment charge might apply. 

Options for cheap funeral insurance 

Sold in large numbers between the 1920s and 1960s, though dating back to the 19th century, penny policies were a type of insurance policy that people took out to specifically cover the cost of their funeral. Penny policies are no longer around, but there are still low-cost options for funeral insurance. 

Pros of a low cost funeral insurance 

Low cost funeral insurance is more accurately described as a whole of life policy and these are more commonly known as Over 50s plans. Your monthly payments depend on the size of the fixed lump sum you've chosen, and on your age. This means everyone should be able to find a plan that fits their budget. Your beneficiary can use the lump sum for any purpose from your funeral expenses to settling bills and debts. 

Cons of a cheap funeral insurance 

There are some significant disadvantages to these plans - the fixed lump sum rarely keeps up with inflation, if you live a long time you can end up paying more than is paid out and as these aren't specific funeral plans, your family will still need to make all those decisions about the funeral arrangements. 

Plan a simple funeral service 

There are many different types of funeral services. But, an increasing number of people are looking for a more affordable, no-frills approach that they get with simple funeral services. What is a simple funeral? It has the same structure as a traditional funeral, but simple funeral costs are lower. There will, however, have to be a few compromises. 

Example of a simple funeral program 

Most crematorium operators offer some lower cost bookings. The least expensive cremation times are typically first thing in the morning and may only be available on certain weekdays. Funeral directors may limit what they offer in their lowest-cost packages - for example they won't include dressing, preparing and viewing the deceased in their chapel of rest, or limousines for mourners.  

The coffin will typically be a very simple, wood-effect design without any decoration. The cost of things like flowers depends on a family's budget and preferences - garden flowers and single roses are good options and there are even companies offering to hire silk arrangements that can be personalised with printed ribbon.  

Holding the wake at home or in your garden is another way to control costs, and better still you can invite everyone to feel part of the event by bringing food and drink to share. A very simple cremation held separately from the farewell party shouldn’t cost the earth, and it’s interesting to note that when families feel listened to and charged fairly, the exact ‘number’ in the price becomes far less important. 

What if you can’t afford a funeral? 

If there are no family members or friends, and no funds in the estate, then there are safety net options which will achieve a simple, respectful send-off. There will be restrictions around the time of day, and the level of service, provided but these farewells should not be referred to as paupers' funerals, because the arrangements will be handled by the same staff, facilities and vehicles as the contracted funeral director would offer any family. Where to turn: 

• Hospital deaths - every NHS Trust has a small budget to pay for the funeral of patients who pass away in hospital, without anyone willing or able to take responsibility for the arrangements. 
• Community deaths - every local authority has a similar budget to look after arrangements for people who pass away in a nursing home, or at home, and no-one is able to pay for the funeral. 

In both cases it can take a number of weeks to process any application for this kind of assistance and some local authorities will not allow the family to have the ashes afterwards. 

Seek extra help with funeral costs 

If you need help with funeral costs, you may be able to get financial assistance from the government, charities, and other options. Funeral costs can easily stack up. It is possible to reduce them by opting for cheap funeral services, but you might still need help to pay for a funeral. If you’re looking for financial assistance, there are a few options that may be available. 

Does the government help with funeral costs? 

The Department of Work and Pensions has two schemes that offer financial help to the bereaved. The Funeral Expenses Payment and the Bereavement Support Payment may not cover everything, but they can soften the financial blow.  

The Funeral Expenses Payment is a one-off means-tested payment intended to support people on certain benefits. The Bereavement Support Payment is a one-off payment that is available to a spouse or civil partner of the person who has died. You might also be eligible for a budgeting loan if you are on qualifying benefits such as Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment, and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit. 

Charities that can help with support and expenses 

• Cruse Bereavement Care: While primarily focused on providing emotional support to those grieving, Cruse Bereavement Care can guide families to resources or organisations that offer financial assistance for funeral expenses. 
• Marie Curie: Marie Curie supports individuals with terminal illnesses and their families, often covering the costs of end-of-life care and helping reduce the financial burden of associated funeral expenses. 
• Leukaemia Care: This charity provides practical and financial support to families affected by blood cancer, including grants to help cover funeral costs when needed. 
• Friends of the Elderly: Dedicated to supporting older individuals, this charity offers financial assistance through grants that can be used for funeral expenses for those in financial difficulty. 
• Care Workers Charity: Focused on care workers and their families, the charity provides crisis grants to cover unexpected costs, including funeral expenses, for those in the care sector. 
• React: React helps financially disadvantaged families caring for children with life-limiting conditions, offering support for end-of-life arrangements, including assistance with funeral costs. 
• Child Funeral Charity: Specialising in helping families who have lost a child, this charity offers direct financial aid to cover funeral-related expenses, ensuring a respectful farewell during a difficult time. 

Another alternative to seeking help from a charity is using crowdfunding websites.    

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