Funeral Costs Rise For Ninth Consecutive Year

Rising for the ninth consecutive year a new survey has revealed that funeral costs have increases by 71% since 2004.

The Cost of Dying Report warns that hard-up families are increasingly turning to credit cards and even bank loans in order to fund the cremation or burial of their loved ones, and may be missing out on financial help because of confusion around available benefits.

Produced by insurer Sun Life Direct, it shows that the basic costs of a funeral have risen by 6.2% since 2011, from £3,091 to £3,284.

Such costs include paying the funeral director, doctor's fees, fees for a religious or secular service, and burial or cremation fees.

Burial costs accounted for the largest single increase, rising by 9.6%, while cremation costs rose by 6.6% and funeral directors' expenses by 5.3%.

The total cost of dying, including things such as probate, headstones and flowers in addition to the basic cost of a funeral, has decreased slightly by 1.9% from £7,248 in 2011 to £7,114, primarily driven by shrinking estate administration costs which could be reflective of increased price competition and consumer awareness.

The report reveals the extent to which a death can leave families in severe financial straits. About 17% of respondents to a related survey said they had struggled with funeral costs, with 20% putting the outstanding balance on a credit card, 10% borrowing money from a loan provider, and 9% having to sell their belongings.

The findings come amid growing awareness that consumers do not have to use funeral directors or be forced to accept the unwanted trappings of traditional send-offs, and can make arrangements themselves or resort to "greener" options.

(H)