Cremation costs in the UK

Cremation costs can vary significantly across the UK. If you are organising a funeral for a loved one, please take the following cremation fees into consideration:

• Location of the cremation
• Types of services you choose for the funeral
• Additional costs including choice of flowers, coffins and a wake

How much does cremation cost?

The average cost of a cremation funeral in the UK is £3,885*. However, cremation fees and costs can vary from region to region.

The cost of a basic funeral in England varies from around £5,235 in London, to an average of £4,488 in the Midlands. The average cost of a basic funeral in Northern Ireland is £3,222, while in Wales a funeral costs an average of £3,718.

Our infographic below provides a detailed breakdown of all cremation fees and the average price of cremation services are across the UK.

How does the cost of a cremation compare to a burial?

The cost of a cremation is usually cheaper than the cost of a burial, as there are fewer costs involved.

The average cost of a cremation in the UK is £3,885, compared to £5,033 for a burial. The cost of a cremation will differ depending on the location, type of service, transport, funeral director fees, and any extras such as flowers and catering for the wake. Here are some of the key differences between a cremation and a burial.

What is included in the overall cost of cremation?

Overall cremation funeral costs will be determined on whether you wish for a Funeral Director to arrange the service for you, or if you wish to arrange it yourself. A Funeral Director can help ease the burden of planning a cremation funeral for a loved one, alleviating a lot of stress at such a difficult and upsetting time.

The average cost of a cremation in the UK is £3,885. This will include the crematorium’s fee, the minister or celebrant’s fee, the funeral director’s fee and any costs associated with the paperwork or forms needed for a cremation.

If your loved one didn't live in the district or borough in which your chosen crematorium operates, there could be extra costs for cremation.

Cremation cost breakdown

The cost of Cremation funeral services are usually broken down into the following categories:

• Funeral Directors fees: These tend to make up the biggest cost of a cremation, but they include the coffin, hearse, collection and care of your loved one as well as professional services such as dealing with paperwork, legalities and organising the service.
• Doctor’s fees
• Minister or celebrants fee
• Cremation fees: These costs vary depending on where you live in the UK. More information on your nearest crematorium.
• Interment of ashes: The cost of keeping the ashes in a permanent place, usually a burial plot

What does the Funeral Director’s fee include for a cremation?

The majority of funerals in the UK are arranged by a funeral director. The funeral director fees cover most aspects of the funeral arrangements, though this can vary depending on which funeral director or package you choose. The funeral director’s fee for a cremation funeral will usually include the following:

• Transportation, care of the deceased and embalming
• Hearse, limousine, pallbearers and funeral procession
• A light oak or teek veneer coffin
• An opportunity for you and your family to view your loved one before the funeral

Your Funeral Director will also make sure the necessary forms for cremation are completed. Find out more about what a Funeral Director does.

Optional costs for cremation services

However, when assessing the cost of a cremation, it is also worth bearing in mind any optional costs*. These include:

• Flowers: average cost £193
• Memorial: average cost £1,106
• Catering: average cost £450
• Limousine hire: average cost £336
• Venue hire: average cost £282
• Scattering of ashes: POA
  
  

How can I reduce the cost of a cremation?

Consider a simple funeral

Our Simple Funeral offers a way to reduce the average cost of a cremation, without compromising on the quality of the service that is delivered. It includes all of the essentials, including a professional and fully trained Funeral Director to support you every step of the way. The Simple Funeral is available for £1,695 in Scotland or £1,995 throughout the rest of the UK, excluding third party costs.

Consider a direct cremation

Direct cremations provide an affordable alternative to a full service cremation funeral, without compromising on the quality of care. It includes the provision of a simple coffin, doctor's fees for medical papers, collection and care of the deceased and transportation to the crematorium in a specialised funeral vehicle.

*Source: SunLife (2021), Cost of Dying Report, sunlife.co.uk/costofdying2021