As costs of saying final goodbyes rise UK families resort to crowdfunding to pay for funerals
By Axel Miller | 16 Jan 2025
The cost of saying a final goodbye to loved ones in the UK has reached a grim new high, leaving families grappling with unexpected financial burdens.
According to a recent report by insurance company SunLife, the average cost of a basic funeral has surged to £4,285 in 2025, up 3.5% from the previous year and an alarming 134% since 2004. That is way higher than the overall inflation rate in the UK.
Beyond the basic funeral, the overall “cost of dying,” which includes professional fees and wakes, has also reached a record high of £9,797. This grim reality underscores the need for open conversations about end-of-life planning and financial preparations.
So what are bereaved families doing? Faced with difficult choices, many are resorting to desperate measures, and that includes selling personal belongings to cover funeral expenses.
But a new idea has crept in from the investment world into funeral parlors. It’s the concept of crowdfunding. Some bereaved families, unable to give their loved ones the farewells they think they deserve, are resorting to ‘crowd-funding’!
The number of families seeking financial assistance form the public (which is what crowd funding is) has grown to 6 per cent in 2024, double the percentage in 2023. Numerous funeral crowdfunding appeals have been launched on platforms like GoFundMe.
According to the report, “London emerges as the most expensive place to die.”
Image source: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The emotional toll of bereavement is compounded by the financial strain, forcing families to navigate grief while facing unexpected and substantial costs.
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in funeral arrangements. Funeral directors have reported a significant rise in families utilizing video links and apps to enable remote participation in services, so that loved ones who are unable to attend in person can still feel connected.
The report also sheds light on evolving funeral preferences. Direct cremations, where no funeral service is held, are gaining popularity, with 26% of respondents expressing a preference for this option. Humanist funerals, offering a non-religious and personalized farewell, are also seeing a significant increase in demand.
