How much does a funeral cost in the UK? Here are the latest 2026 figures — by funeral type and region — so families can plan with realistic numbers. Funeral costs have risen more than 130% since 2004.
£3,828Simple attended funeral (avg)
£1,628Direct cremation / burial
£5,440Traditional attended burial
£5,140Typical total with send-off
UK funeral costs by type (2026)
| Funeral type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Direct cremation or direct burial | £1,628 |
| Simple attended cremation | £3,518 |
| Simple attended funeral (overall average) | £3,828 |
| Traditional attended cremation | £4,200 |
| Simple attended burial | £4,758 |
| Traditional attended burial | £5,440 |
Source: SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026.
How costs vary by region
A simple attended funeral ranges from about £3,105 in Northern Ireland (the cheapest) to £4,897 in London (the most expensive) — a difference of nearly £1,800 depending on where you live.
How Britain is choosing to say goodbye
- Attended cremation — 53% (the most common choice)
- Burial — 26%
- Direct cremation — 21% and rising (often a fraction of the cost of an attended funeral)
Planning ahead? Compare a pre-paid funeral plan or over-50s life insurance.
Re-using this data? You’re welcome to cite these figures with a link to this page (lookinto.co.uk). Please keep the original source (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026) credited.
Figures are averages from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026 and vary by provider and location. General information, not financial advice. Last updated June 2026.