How Much Does It Cost When Someone Dies?

According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026, a traditional attended funeral averages £4,510, and a simple attended funeral £3,828. A traditional attended cremation averages £4,200 and a traditional attended burial £5,440. Direct cremation, the cheapest option, averages £1,628 and starts from around £1,095 with the national providers. Prices vary significantly by region, with London and the South East being the most expensive.

Most funeral directors will wait for payment until after the funeral, and some offer payment plans. Banks will often release money from their account specifically for funeral costs, even before probate is granted. If you are on means-tested benefits, you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment to help with the cost.

The court fee for probate is £526 for estates over £5,000, and free for estates below that. If you use a solicitor, expect to pay £2,000 to £5,000 for a straightforward estate, or £5,000 to £15,000+ for complex estates. DIY probate is perfectly manageable for many estates and costs only the £526 court fee.

Direct cremation is the cheapest option, starting from around £1,095 with the national providers, with a UK average of £1,628. There is no service or mourners present. You can hold a separate memorial event at any time, at a venue of your choosing, often at little or no cost. A council public health funeral (sometimes called a "pauper's funeral") is free but only available when nobody can arrange or afford a funeral.

Yes. In England and Wales, if you receive Universal Credit, income-related ESA, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the DWP. Burial and cremation fees are not capped, and there is up to £1,000 for other costs (£120 if they had a pre-paid funeral plan). Apply within 6 months of the funeral. Scotland has its own Funeral Support Payment, with a wider list of qualifying benefits that still includes Income Support and income-based JSA. The Children's Funeral Fund covers costs for children under 18. Some trade unions, employers, and charities also help.

Order at least 5 certified copies while you are registering. They cost £12.50 each in England and Wales; in Scotland the fee is set by the council and is usually £10 to £15. Each bank, insurer, pension provider, and solicitor usually needs an original. If they had a lot of accounts and policies, 8 to 10 copies is not unusual. Ordering extras later costs more.

Inheritance tax is charged at 40% on the value of the estate above the nil-rate band of £325,000. There is an additional £175,000 residence nil-rate band if the home passes to children or grandchildren. Spouses can transfer unused allowances, giving a combined threshold of up to £1 million. Most estates do not pay inheritance tax.

Yes. Bereavement Support Payment gives a lump sum of £2,500 to £3,500 plus monthly payments of £100 to £350 for 18 months (for spouses/civil partners under State Pension age). Funeral Expenses Payment helps with funeral costs if you receive qualifying benefits. Council tax exemption applies to empty properties during probate. You may also be entitled to life insurance payouts, death-in-service benefits, and pension lump sums.