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Guide

What a UK funeral costs

A funeral bill is made up of two very different things: the funeral director's own charges, and third-party fees they pay on your behalf.

The funeral director's charges

This covers professional services, care of the person who died, the coffin, and vehicles. This is the part that varies most between providers, and it is the part you can compare.

Third-party fees (disbursements)

Crematorium or burial fees, doctors' fees where they apply, and a celebrant or minister. These are set by the crematorium, cemetery or celebrant, not by the funeral director, so they are broadly similar whoever you use.

Optional extras

Flowers, orders of service, notices, limousines, catering and memorials. These add up quickly and are the easiest place to reduce cost without changing the shape of the day.

This is general information for the UK, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and can change.