Funeral Budget Planner
Work out what a funeral could cost, build a budget around the choices you're making, and keep track as plans develop. Free to use. No obligation.
Your budget stays on this device.
Set a budget
A starting figure to measure your costs against. A rough guess is fine, and you can change it at any time.
Leave it blank for now and set it whenever you're ready.
Add a cost
Rough figures are fine. Update them as quotes come in.
Not sure what to enter? Show typical starting costs
Start with a UK average. You can replace it with a real quote later — anything added this way is marked as an estimate.
Starting estimates based on UK averages from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026. Actual costs vary by funeral type, choices and location.
On top of the funeral itself, families spend about £1,312 on average on things like flowers, a venue, refreshments and a memorial.
Guides: How much does a funeral cost? · What should you budget for? · Who pays for a funeral?
Your costs
Each cost moves from estimate to paid as things firm up. Tap a stage to update it.
Nothing here yet. Pick from the common costs above, or start from an average.
Where things stand
Set your budget
Add a total budget to see how your costs compare.
Set a budget, then add costs as you learn them.
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Download a PDF of your budget and checklist to print or share.
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Your plan is already saved privately on this device. Create a free account to access your budget and checklist on any device, or invite family to help.
Everything you've added so far comes with you.
This planner helps you organise your figures. It isn't a quote or financial advice. Prices differ by provider, location, funeral type and third-party fees, and your funeral director's written quote is what counts.
Guidance
Need a little more help with the numbers?
Costs rarely stay still. This planner lets you move each one from Estimate to Quote to Confirmed to Paid. Here is what is worth knowing along the way.
How much does a funeral cost?
There is no single answer. The total depends on the type of funeral, where you live, the funeral director you choose and the decisions your family makes. A direct cremation without a service costs much less than an attended funeral, and burial usually costs more than cremation once the plot is included.
National surveys publish averages, such as SunLife's Cost of Dying Report 2026. They can help you get started, but your funeral director's itemised written quote is the figure that counts. See our guide: How much does a funeral cost?
What to budget for
These are the costs families most often come across. Not every funeral involves every one, and you can add more than one cost of the same kind.
- Funeral directorCare, arrangements, coffin, hearse and staff on the day.
- Cremation or burial feePaid to the crematorium or cemetery, often via the funeral director.
- Celebrant or ministerThe person who leads the service.
- FlowersCoffin spray, wreaths or other floral tributes.
- Venue and refreshmentsA wake or reception after the service.
- NoticesNewspaper or online death notices.
- Order of servicePrinted booklets for the service.
- Memorial or headstoneUsually arranged some months later.
Others to consider: coffin upgrades, cars, livestreaming, charity donations and personal choices. For a fuller list, see What should you budget for?
Quotes and keeping costs down
Some costs are the funeral director's own charges for their services. Others are fees paid to someone else, such as the crematorium or cemetery, a celebrant or a venue, which the funeral director may pay on your behalf and add to the bill. Quotes are laid out differently from firm to firm, so ask for an itemised written quote.
- Set a rough budget first. Even a guess gives you something to measure against.
- Compare options. Ask more than one funeral director for an itemised quote.
- Understand each quote. Check which fees are included and which will be added.
- Decide what matters. Talk as a family about which parts are important to you, and which aren't.
- Keep track as costs are agreed. Update each one as it moves from quote to paid.
Help with funeral costs
Depending on your circumstances and where you live, you may be able to get help paying for a funeral. Rules can change, so always check the official guidance.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
If you get certain benefits, you may be able to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment. See GOV.UK (England and Wales) or nidirect (Northern Ireland).
Scotland
Social Security Scotland runs the Funeral Support Payment instead. See mygov.scot.
Wider support after a bereavement
Bereavement Support Payment is not a payment towards the funeral. It may be available to someone whose husband, wife or civil partner has died. See GOV.UK.
See also: Who pays for a funeral?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a funeral cost in the UK?
It varies a great deal with the type of funeral, where you live and the choices you make. A direct cremation with no service usually costs far less than an attended cremation, and burial is usually the most expensive once the plot is included. National surveys such as SunLife's Cost of Dying Report publish averages, but a funeral director's itemised written quote is what you will actually pay.
What costs should I include in a funeral budget?
Start with the funeral director's charges and the cremation or burial fees, then add anything else you choose: a celebrant or minister, flowers, notices, an order of service, a venue and refreshments, and later a memorial or headstone. Not every funeral involves every cost.
What does a funeral director's fee include?
It differs between firms. It often covers care of the person who has died, arranging the funeral, a coffin, a hearse and staff on the day. Fees paid to others, such as the crematorium, cemetery or celebrant, may be added on top. Ask for an itemised written quote so you can see exactly what is included.
Do you have to pay for a funeral upfront?
Many funeral directors ask for a deposit, or for third-party fees to be paid before the funeral, with the balance due afterwards. Terms differ between firms, so ask when you get a quote. Banks can sometimes release money from the estate of the person who died to pay the funeral bill directly.
Who normally pays for a funeral?
Usually the person who arranges it signs the contract and is responsible for the bill. The cost can often be repaid from the estate of the person who died, and some people have a pre-paid funeral plan or insurance. Check before signing anything.
Is help available with funeral costs?
Possibly. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, people on certain benefits may get a Funeral Expenses Payment. In Scotland, the equivalent is the Funeral Support Payment from Social Security Scotland. Eligibility rules apply and can change, so check the official guidance linked on this page.
How can I reduce funeral costs?
Set a rough budget first, compare itemised quotes from more than one funeral director, and decide together which parts matter most to your family. Options such as direct cremation, fewer cars or a gathering at home can lower the total. Every extra is a choice, not an obligation.
Sources and further help
- Funeral Expenses Payment (England and Wales)GOV.UK ↗ opens in a new tab
- Funeral Expenses Payment (Northern Ireland)nidirect ↗ opens in a new tab
- Funeral Support Payment (Scotland)mygov.scot ↗ opens in a new tab
- Bereavement Support PaymentGOV.UK ↗ opens in a new tab
- Arrange the funeralGOV.UK ↗ opens in a new tab
- Funeral costs and how to payMoneyHelper ↗ opens in a new tab
- Cost of Dying Report 2026SunLife ↗ opens in a new tab
Coming soon
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