Tips for a more cost-effective funeral

We are currently experiencing a cost of living crisis in the UK and with the inflation on just about everything you can imagine it is important to find ways to save money and be more spend savvy in these difficult times. On average, a UK burial costs £4,383 and a cremation costs £3,290 – which has doubled since 2010 – so it can be a big hit when those final bills come in for your loved one’s funeral, however, there are subtle tweaks and changes you can make to host a most cost-effective send off for your loved one without compromising on the quality of the occasion.

Choose sustainable options

Not only will you be helping the environment by choosing more sustainable options for the service, you will save a lot of money doing so too. From picking a coffin or urn that is built using recycled materials, using your own transportation to attend the service and holding the funeral at a very local location, all of which save you money and are kinder to the environment.

Host a wake at home

Many families and friends choose to hold a wake in a neutral setting like a community hall, function room or pub, however, you can save hundreds of pounds by hosting a wake at your home instead. It can be one of the best and easiest ways to save some money without compromising the opportunity for families and friends to come together to pay their respects and celebrate the life of the person that has passed away.

Direct cremation

If you are not too concerned about holding a lengthy funeral service – a direct cremation can be the perfect way to save a lot of money. You can save thousands of pounds by having a direct cremation and instead plan your own personalised memorial either on the same day or at a later date as there would be no service and direct cremations are unattended.

Livestream the funeral service

During the coronavirus pandemic, the livestreaming of funeral services became a popular option when services were limited to an absolute minimum attendance. Despite funerals now being fully accessible again, families often still opt to livestream the funeral service to not only give the opportunity of distant relatives and friends to pay their respects from miles away, but to also cut costs on the attendance and the size of the venue you will need to hire. By keeping down attendance, you can hold a more intimate service that allows you to keep costs down without compromising the attendance of the closest family and friends.