The cost of dying has never been higher: SunLife’s 2025 Cost of Dying report reveals that total costs have risen again to an averaging of £9,797, representing a 1.4% increase from last year.
As part of this. the cost of a basic funeral has risen by 3.5% to £4,285, marking a staggering 134% increase since 2004, far outpacing inflation across the same period. Direct cremations, with a much lower average of £1,597, are gaining popularity as a budget-friendly alternative, with 26% of respondents opting for this simpler approach.
Financial pressures are mounting for grieving families, with 18% struggling to cover costs and resorting to savings, loans, or even crowdfunding, which has doubled in usage over the past year. And regional disparities across the UK persist, with London being the most expensive for funerals (£5,449) and Northern Ireland the most affordable (£3,441).
The report also highlights shifting trends, with over half of funerals now being personalised as ‘celebrations of life,’ incorporating custom music, themed send-offs, and remote attendance via technology.
Perhaps most notably for this audience, professional fees have decreased by 3.5% to £2,652, bucking the trend.
Please view the slider document below for more insights on this report or take a look at our full article on our blog.
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Cost of Dying Report - 2025 (2)This article was published by Anglia Research as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Wills and Probate.
The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Wills and Probate.
