London has some of the most expensive funeral homes and cemeteries in the UK. A simple send-off in the capital city could set you back more than £7,000, a serious amount of money for most of us.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions to funeral services in the last year, funeral fees have continued to rise faster than inflation, and loved ones aren’t spending any less on personalising a ceremony.
Nevertheless, a final farewell needn’t cost the earth. You can plan a beautiful and unforgettable service without running into financial hardship as a result. Whether that means thinking outside the box with alternative funeral options or simply cutting back on some nonessential items, there’s a way you can plan a funeral on a budget in London.
UK life insurance and funeral plan broker, Reassured, has put together these top 10 tips:
- Consider cremation instead of burial
Cremation fees or burial fees are unavoidable when arranging a funeral. However, you could opt for a cremation and potentially save thousands of pounds. For example, the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium charge upwards of £2,900 for a burial or from just £500 for a cremation.
Due to the pandemic, direct cremation has been a popular alternative funeral choice. Direct cremation is when there’s no funeral service at all before the cremation, keeping it simple and low-cost.
- Choose an off-peak time for the funeral
A family of early risers? An early morning week-day funeral service could save you a few bob. Simply ask for the cheapest slot available and book the crematorium, church or cemetery chapel for that time. Also bear in mind that a short 30-minute service is going to cost less than a full 60 minute service.
- Invite family and friends using social media
It’s perfectly acceptable these days to invite family and friends to a funeral using social media such as Facebook – rather than paying for a newspaper notice.
- Have a simple (cheaper) coffin
A traditional oak coffin could set you back more than £500. However, there are more affordable options available. For example, an eco-friendly cardboard coffin costs from as little as £100 when bought from an online supplier.
- Don’t have the body embalmed
Funeral directors offer embalming at their funeral homes to help preserve the body until the funeral. This isn’t always necessary, especially if the funeral is due to take place sooner rather than later.
- Don’t hire limousines
In 2020, people splashed out on average £336 hiring limousines for a funeral. To help keep costs low, you could ask family and friends to travel in their own cars to the venue, or you could hire a minibus or multi seat taxi to transport multiple guests.
- Ask family and/or friends to be pall bearers
Instead of hiring pallbearers to carry the coffin, you could ask family and friends to do the honour. Or, ask the funeral director to provide a wheeled bier.
- Have a DIY funeral
A Do it Yourself (DIY) funeral is one that’s organised and led by family members instead of a funeral director. Funeral director fees can be expensive (particularly in London) and a DIY funeral could help cut back on costs. You don’t need to handle all the arrangements if that’s too stressful, but things like booking the transport yourselves and having a family-led ceremony are completely doable.
- Consider a low-cost memorial
There are lots of different types of memorials, some more pricey than others. You can find the right memorial within your budget by looking online or asking a funeral director. Some of the most affordable ways to commemorate a loved one is by planting a tree in their memory or scattering their ashes at a special location.
- Find out if you’re eligible for help from the government
If you’re get certain welfare benefits, then you may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government to help you pay for the funeral. The amount you can get will depend on your individual circumstances and whether you’ll receive any other financial help. For example, if the deceased had a prepaid funeral plan or life insurance policy in place then you may only receive a small payment.
