The charge of a fundamental funeral has hit an all-time prime of £4,285, and households finally end up paying greater than two times that on reasonable, as soon as further prices such because the wake and vegetation are incorporated. But no longer my circle of relatives. I’ve deliberate my very own ship off – and it’ll be affordable as chips.
I’m best 42 years outdated and in just right well being. But I’ve attended greater than my justifiable share of funerals and deliberate a pair, too, which made me realise that I didn’t need some extravagant funeral that comes on the subject of as shut as you’ll get to easily burning cash.
My funeral will contain a cardboard coffin, no mourners and a budget-friendly do of tea and cake someplace with a pleasing view.
It started with my sister Emma’s funeral 13 years in the past. I’m the youngest of 3 sisters and her dying on the age of 34 was once a surprise, and she or he had by no means mentioned her needs.
My circle of relatives second-guessed each element, nervous we’d get it unsuitable and ended up spending greater than she most probably would have sought after.
In distinction, my grandma was once primarily on height of her personal funeral prep. She had a folder the place she’d stashed people’s orders of carrier, marking the bits she favored and sought after to borrow for her personal send-off.
Ruth Jackson-Kirby along with her sister Emma, who died 13 years in the past on the age of 34
Hymns, readings, coffin selection – it was once all in there. She confirmed it to me years earlier than she died and mentioned: ‘You’re in fee. Here’s the entirety you want to understand.’ Turns out she instructed a couple of folks that, all the time one to hedge her bets.
After her funeral in 2023 I sat down and wrote a coarse define of what I sought after, beginning with a right away cremation. In my enjoy, crematoriums are terrible puts, and I don’t need my ultimate send-off to be some pricey, soulless rite hosted there.
An immediate cremation avoids the entire bits I don’t like and saves a fortune within the procedure. The undertaker merely drops your frame off on the crematorium and your circle of relatives prepare to assemble your ashes at a later date. There aren’t any vegetation (saving £222), no limo rent (£431), and no overpriced coffin (saving as much as £800).
Funeral prices have rocketed by way of 134 consistent with cent during the last twenty years, in step with SunLife’s 2025 Cost of Dying Report. It has created an terrible scenario the place one in seven folks merely can’t have the funds for to die. Direct cremation lowers the price a little.
An immediate cremation prices £1,597 – significantly lower than a typical cremation, which prices £3,980, or a burial at £5,198. Perfect. That will have to save hundreds, leaving masses for a good send-off within the nearest pub as a substitute.
I’m no longer by myself in shunning the trimmings of a conventional funeral. Burials had been in decline for many years with only a quarter folks choosing one.
In distinction, 20 consistent with cent had a right away cremation in 2024, up from 3 consistent with cent best 5 years previous.
If you need to chop the prices of a funeral, check out how a lot you’re paying for catering and the coffin. In a survey by way of SunLife, 91 consistent with cent of funeral administrators mentioned the ones are the important thing spaces the place we spend greater than we wish to.
You can slash your prices by way of choosing a £200 cardboard coffin over an £800 top-of-the-range choice. Or a willow coffin prices round £400. I’m proud of cardboard: no person’s going to peer it and I received’t be in it for lengthy.
Also, believe the vegetation you need. This is a commonplace house for overspending, in step with funeral administrators. One respectable floral association is all you want – it’s no longer the Chelsea Flower Show. Simply ask for no matter’s in season.

I’m best 42 years outdated and in just right well being. But I’ve attended greater than my justifiable share of funerals and deliberate a pair, too, writes Ruth
All this attention and cost-cutting will come to not anything, despite the fact that, in case you don’t proportion your plans together with your circle of relatives. With a worth distinction of a number of thousand kilos, a snappy dialog can save some huge cash and agonising.
Funeral administrators inform stories of folks compelled to fork out for funerals they may be able to’t have the funds for as a result of different members of the family insist on it. So be sure that your circle of relatives know what you need – and put it in writing to keep away from arguments.
My husband Andrew and my mom each have letters to open after I die. Inside they element the easy send-off I would love and make it very transparent that a right away cremation with a separate thanksgiving carrier is my ultimate want.
Neither have been stunned to obtain them. I’m a infamous planner and organise maximum circle of relatives occasions, so presenting them with a information to my very own funeral is par for the direction.
When the day comes my funeral received’t rival the Pope’s – no mourners, most probably no dignitaries (you by no means know) and a cardboard coffin – however it is going to be excellent price.