Guide to Planning an Affordable Funeral

Updated on July 15, 2022

Although a typical funeral service in the UK will set you back well in excess of £4,500 these days, they can cost a great deal more. This is especially so if you want traditional elements, such as a horse-drawn carriage to convey the coffin, traditional undertaker garments, a casket rather than a coffin or a burial at sea. Thankfully, you can keep the costs of a funeral down. Seek expert advice from professionals in the industry if you are planning a low-cost funeral. Even better, you might find the deceased has already paid for their service.

According to one supplier of pre-payment funeral plans, Newrest Funerals, this is becoming increasingly common in the UK. So, check before you start paying funeral directors’ fees and so on. Nevertheless, there are two main ways to arrange an affordable funeral these days. Jointly, they are referred to as direct funerals. Read on to find out more about each.

Direct Burials

To begin with, a direct burial is a type of direct funeral which will result in the body being laid to rest in the ground. The main difference between a direct burial and a normal burial service will be the absence of mourners, however. Typically, direct burials are carried out at council-run cemeteries rather than graveyards in churches and other places of worship. This is because they cost the least. However, it is possible to arrange a direct funeral on private land, too. This will mean the land has to meet certain criteria though, something which can cost money, thereby defeating the object of an affordable burial.

Since there will be no officiant and no mourners present, all that needs to happen is for the chosen firm of funeral directors to convey the body to the burial plot. The grave will need to be dug, of course, which has an attendant fee. The minimum number of undertakers will simply lower the coffin into the grave with no graveside committal. Indeed, no flowers will be sent and no orate coffin will be used. These days, most people opt for low-cost veneered coffins. They are sturdy, do the job and break down more easily than solid wood ones.

Direct Cremations

In the case of direct cremations, much of the same applies as happens with direct burials. This sort of direct funeral is even more cost-effective. The body will be conveyed to the local crematorium where it will pass through to the cremator without a service. Once the cremation has taken place, the cremated remains will be returned to the family in a simple box rather than an ornate urn.

Please note that people choose direct cremations – and other sorts of direct funerals – not merely because they are a low-cost, affordable option but because they prefer their simplicity. Indeed, it is always possible to arrange a celebration of life or a memorial service for the deceased later on if you want.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.