Free and Low-Cost Funeral Options in the UK

Did the person have any savings, a life insurance policy, or a funeral plan?

If yes, these should cover costs first. Ask the bank about releasing funeral funds before probate. Contact the insurer with the death certificate to claim any life insurance. A pre-paid funeral plan transfers directly to the funeral director.

Is the person a child under 18, or was it a stillbirth after 24 weeks?

If yes: the Children's Funeral Fund covers burial and cremation fees in England at no cost to you. There is no means test. See the section below for details.

Are you receiving means-tested benefits?

If yes: you may qualify for a DWP Funeral Expenses Payment. This can cover the full cremation or burial fee plus up to £1,000 for other costs. See below for qualifying benefits and how to claim.

Is no one willing or able to arrange the funeral?

If yes: the local council is legally required to arrange a public health funeral. This is a last resort option and the council may attempt to recover costs from the estate, but there is no cost to the family.

Can you arrange it yourself and keep costs to a minimum?

If yes: a direct cremation (from around £1,500) or a DIY funeral (where you handle the arrangements yourself) can reduce costs significantly. Both are completely legal. Details below.

What it is

Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, every local council in England and Wales has a duty to arrange a funeral if no one else will or can. Similar legislation applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This is not a charity; it is a legal obligation. The council will arrange a simple cremation (or burial in some circumstances) with no service and no family present, unless you specifically arrange to attend.

The cost to you

There is no upfront cost to the family. However, the council will attempt to recover reasonable costs from the estate of the deceased. If the person died with no money or assets, the costs are written off. If there is an estate, even a small one, the council will claim from it before anything is distributed to beneficiaries.

When to use it

A public health funeral is appropriate when the deceased had no next of kin, when the family genuinely cannot afford any funeral at all, or when there are family disputes about who is responsible. It is not appropriate simply to avoid cost if other options are available. Contact your local council's environmental health department to start the process.

What it does not include

A public health funeral is functional, not ceremonial. There is typically no service, no music, no flowers, and no opportunity for family to say goodbye in a formal way. If the family wants any of these things, they will need to arrange and fund them separately. Some councils do allow family members to attend. Ask your council contact what is possible.

What it covers

The DWP's Funeral Expenses Payment covers the full cost of a burial or cremation (including the burial plot or cremation fee, and any required medical certificates) plus up to £1,000 for other costs such as the funeral director's fees, coffin, flowers, and transport. If the estate has any assets, the DWP will recover the payment from those assets after the funeral.

Who qualifies

You can apply if you (the person arranging the funeral) are currently receiving one of these benefits:

• + Universal Credit
• + Pension Credit
• + Income Support
• + Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• + Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• + Housing Benefit
• + Child Tax Credit (you must not be entitled to Working Tax Credit, unless you also receive a disability or severe disability element)
• + Working Tax Credit with a disability or severe disability element

The relationship rules

You must have been close enough to the deceased. The DWP accepts: spouse or civil partner; partner you lived with; a child (including a stillborn child after 24 weeks); a close relative or close friend (if there is no other more appropriate person who could apply). The DWP will also check whether there are other people who could have applied instead. If there is a closer relative who is not on benefits, you may not qualify.

How to apply

Apply on form SF200, which is available at gov.uk or by calling the Bereavement Service on 0800 731 0469 (free to call). You must apply within 6 months of the funeral. The DWP will tell you how much they will pay and may ask for evidence. Payment goes directly to the funeral director in most cases, so you do not need to fund the funeral first and claim back.

What it is

A direct cremation is a simple cremation with no funeral service and no mourners at the crematorium. The body is collected by the funeral director, cremated, and the ashes are returned to the family. The UK average cost is around £1,647, but prices start from around £1,000 with some providers. This is significantly cheaper than a traditional funeral but still a private, dignified arrangement. See our full cost of dying guide for a complete breakdown.

You can still hold a memorial

A direct cremation does not mean there is no opportunity to gather and remember the person. Many families hold a separate memorial service after the cremation: in a garden, a church hall, a favourite pub, or a venue that meant something to the person. The ashes can be present or scattered at the service. There is no time limit, and the memorial can be as simple or as meaningful as you choose.

Finding a provider

Direct cremation providers include Dignity, Pure Cremation, Simplicity Cremations, and various independent funeral directors. Always check that the provider is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), and ask for a full written price list before agreeing to anything.

Is it legal?

Yes. In England and Wales, there is no legal requirement to use a funeral director. You can legally keep the body at home (in appropriate conditions), build your own coffin, arrange transport in your own vehicle, and contact a crematorium or burial ground directly to book. You will need the death certificate and, for cremation, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) completed by the attending practitioner and scrutinised by a Medical Examiner. Since September 2024, the old system of two separate cremation forms (Form Cremation 4 and 5, signed by two doctors) has been replaced by the Medical Examiner system, removing those fees. The Natural Death Centre (naturaldeath.org.uk) provides detailed, practical guidance for DIY funerals.

What a DIY funeral might cost

The cremation fee alone (booked directly with the crematorium) is typically £700-£1,200 depending on the area. A simple cardboard or wicker coffin costs £100-£400. Since September 2024, the Medical Examiner system has replaced the old two-doctor cremation certificate process, so there is no longer a separate fee for cremation medical forms. Total: roughly £800-£1,600 for a DIY cremation. A DIY burial in a natural burial ground can cost £800-£1,500 for the plot and digging fees.

Is it right for everyone?

A DIY funeral requires someone to be willing and able to handle the practicalities: caring for the body, dealing with paperwork, and coordinating with the crematorium or burial ground. This is not for everyone, and there is absolutely no obligation. But for those who are able and willing, it can be a very meaningful and cost-effective way to care for someone you love.

Royal British Legion

If the person who died served in the armed forces (or was the spouse, partner, or child of someone who did), the Royal British Legion may be able to help with funeral costs. Contact their welfare team on 0808 802 8080. This is a grant, not a loan, and does not need to be repaid.

Trade union benevolent funds

Many trade unions have benevolent funds that can help members or their families with funeral costs. Check with the person's union if they were a member, or contact the TUC for guidance on which union may apply.

Religious organisations

Many churches, mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras, and other religious organisations have funds to help families who cannot afford a funeral, particularly for members of their congregation. Contact the relevant religious leader directly and explain your situation honestly.

Local charities and community foundations

Local community foundations and charitable trusts sometimes have hardship funds that can help with funeral costs. Search the Directory of Social Change or contact your local Citizens Advice for guidance on what is available in your area.

Funeral directors' own payment plans

Some funeral directors will allow you to pay in instalments, particularly if the estate is going through probate and funds will eventually be released. Ask directly and get the arrangement in writing. Not all funeral directors offer this, but it is worth asking.

Crowdfunding

GoFundMe and JustGiving are both commonly used to raise money for funeral costs. Many families find that friends, colleagues, and community members are willing to contribute when they know there is a specific need. Be clear about what the money is for and how it will be used. GoFundMe does not charge a platform fee; JustGiving charges a small percentage.

What is the cheapest way to have a funeral in the UK?

A direct cremation is the most affordable private option, starting from around £1,000. There is no service at the crematorium. You can hold a separate memorial at a venue of your choice at little or no cost.

Can you have a funeral with no money?

Yes. If you are on means-tested benefits, the DWP Funeral Expenses Payment can cover burial or cremation fees plus up to £1,000. If no one is able to arrange a funeral, the local council is legally required to do so at no cost to the family.

Who pays for a funeral if there is no money in the estate?

If the deceased had no money and no one can afford to pay, the local council arranges a public health funeral under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. This is a legal obligation, not charity. The family may also be able to claim DWP Funeral Expenses Payment if they are on qualifying benefits.

Can I arrange a funeral without a funeral director?

Yes. In England and Wales, there is no legal requirement to use a funeral director. You can keep the body at home, build your own coffin, and book directly with a crematorium or burial ground. The Natural Death Centre provides practical guidance.