Brits are hunting for bargain burials and are even considering heading to the pearly gates without a send off from loved ones.
Amid the cost of living costs now comes the cost of dying as funeral prices soar across the UK. The average cost of a basic funeral in the UK is around £3,740, which includes funeral director fees, plus third-party costs such as the burial plot.
It means many are seeking simpler, more affordable alternatives to traditional funerals, like direct cremations or burials with no ceremony or mourners present.
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Insurance organisation, Shepherd’s Friendly has investigated which UK cities have the highest funeral director fees for direct cremations and burials – something to think about before kicking the bucket.
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They compared rates from five different funeral parlours in each location to determine which cities have the most, and least, expensive funeral director fees for direct burials and direct cremations.
Brighton is revealed to be the most expensive city in the UK for a direct burial, with the funeral director fees costing around £1,667. That’s nearly £900 more than Liverpool, the UK city with the lowest costs.
Edinburgh, the second most expensive, is a similar price of around £1,621. Unsurprisingly, with high demand, London comes in third as the most expensive city, with funeral director fees averaging £1,549 for a direct burial.
At the other end of the scale, the least expensive city for a direct burial in the UK is Liverpool, with an average funeral director cost of £797. Blackpool comes next, at £808, followed by Dundee, where funeral director fees for direct burials cost £852 on average.
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A spokesperson said: “If you choose this process, it’s important to remember that added fees like a grave plot and the interment fee (the cost of the burial) will need to be factored into your budget.
“Whilst a direct burial is more affordable, compared to an attended ceremony, these additional costs result in this still being more expensive than a direct cremation, which does not require any burial or grave fees.
“Funeral director fees for a direct burial covers transport and care for the deceased, whilst also allowing family members and friends to remember their loved one in their own way.”
Further fees you must pay if you opt for a burial is the cost of a grave plot and interment fee.
The cost of a grave plot can vary significantly across the UK depending on the type of grave, such as whether it’s a lawn or traditional grave site, the size of the grave, as well as the residential status of the deceased.
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The time period of which the grave plot is leased for can also impact the cost. Leases are referred to as an ‘Exclusive right of burial’ and usually last for around 50 to 100 years, however some city councils offer leases for as little as 25 years.
“With costs of burials and cremations increasing, it’s understandable why you might opt for a more affordable farewell,” the spokesperson added.
The top 10 cities with the most expensive funeral director fees for direct burials are:
1. Brighton (average cost £1,667)
2. Edinburgh (£1,621)
3. London (£1,528)
4. Cambridge (£1,523)
5. Peterborough (£1,512)
6. Nottingham (£1,449)
7. Portsmouth (£1,448)
8. Southend-on-Sea (£1,400)
9. Reading (£1,398)
10. Newcastle upon Tyne (£1,394)
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