UK households organising funerals being handed free £2,890

The cost of a simple attended funeral has risen 3.5 per cent in a year to hit an all-time high of £4,285, while the overall cost of dying has reached £9,797. This week's SunLife Cost of Dying report laid bare the prices UK households face to bury a loved one.

But Gaynor Eccles, 72, paid just £1,395 for her brother's funeral amid rising costs. The 72-year-old chose direct cremation through Pure Cremation for her brother, who passed age 72, and paid just £1,395 as a result - saving thousands.

Maxime Rashid, 59, also organised a direct cremation for her dad, who passed away aged 86. She said: “He wanted a Pure Cremation as he wasn't religious in any way and didn't want a fuss, so this was perfect for him. We are going to have a celebration of his life on his birthday next year, 22nd June.

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"I don't think it matters when you do it, but for us we wanted to wait for a special day. My dad's ashes were brought back to his home which he shared with his wife. There was a knock on the door and respectfully he was brought in and placed down , with an acknowledgement and some very kind words.

“The funeral itself cost £1,645. Much cheaper than a standard funeral. No fuss, no waiting around no stress for anyone. It was all taken care of. I would definitely recommend and am considering it for myself. I feel that I can at least make life a bit easier on my family when I do pass away by organising a direct cremation.

“When your heart is breaking and you have no idea what to do next, Pure Cremation for us was like someone holding out a hand To hold on to and reassuring us that it will all be ok. And it was." Mark Screeton, CEO, SunLife said: “It’s so important for people to talk more about their funerals, so that loved ones aren’t left to organise things with little idea about what the deceased would have wanted.

"This year’s Cost of Dying Report highlights just how much of a financial and emotional impact not knowing can have. A send-off doesn’t need to cost thousands. A direct cremation with a DIY get-together afterwards might be the perfect way to say a personal goodbye to loved one. But we know families tend to only choose low-cost options when it has been specifically requested by the deceased.

“So it’s really important that, as a nation, we start talking about funerals, so that we can discuss with loved ones the type of funeral we want and how it will be paid for. That way, family and friends aren’t left to make difficult emotional and financial decisions once we have gone.”