There are many different costs to consider when organising a funeral. Whether you’re planning the funeral of a loved one or your own funeral, it’s important to make sure you’ve budgeted for every expense. Below are just some of the costs that can get overlooked.
Death certificates
Death certificates are needed as legal proof that a person has died. Solicitors, life insurance companies, funeral directors, banks, bill providers and lenders may all need to see death certificates. Therefore it can be useful to have a few copies. The cost per copy is £12.50 – therefore 10 copies will cost £125. This is not something you can order in advance for your own funeral and is something only loved ones can pay.
Plot fees
Many people want their/their loved one’s body or ashes to be buried in a cemetery. However, you will need to pay for a plot. The average cost of a plot can vary massively across the UK. Some plots cost as little as £200, while others can cost as much as £8000. If you or your loved one was not interested in having remains buried in a plot, you may be able to avoid this cost (for example, you could have your ashes kept in an urn and passed down to a loved one, or you could arrange to have them scattered).
Headstone
If you’re paying for a plot, you’ll likely want a headstone. Memorial stones come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and can be made from all kinds of types of stone. Reports suggest that the average cost in the UK is £1037, however you can buy some headstones at a fraction of the cost. It’s worth shopping around when choosing a headstone to find one that is suitable and affordable. A smaller headstone made from local stone and containing simple engravings is the best option on a tight budget.
Pallbearers
The pallbearers are the people responsible for carrying the coffin or casket from the hearse to its final place of rest. Family and friends will sometimes take on the role of pallbearers. However, there may not always be enough people to take on this role. In this case, staff members from the funeral home can step in and take on the role of pallbearers. Professional pallbearers will be able to instruct exactly how to carry the coffin and where to go, however they come at an additional cost – you should expect to pay £120 per pallbearer.
Obituary
It is common to have an obituary published in a local newspaper. This is a short notice that informs the public of a person’s death while also containing some nice words about their life and achievements. Obituaries tend to vary in price depending on how long they are. On average, expect to pay between £50 and £300. You can write an obituary yourself or ask a journalist to write it for you. Some people are not concerned about obituaries and find other free ways to memorialise a loved one including memorial webpages and social media posts.
