Tue, 20 Jan 2026

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 'Emotional and financial' pressure of funeral fees

The number of families in need of financial help due to bereavement is rising, a charity says.

* Funeral costs have risen, with the average cost of a simple funeral burial reaching £4,758 and a simple cremation costing £3,518.
* Quaker Social Action (QSA) charity reports a 20% increase in calls from families struggling to afford funerals.
* Families are facing financial hardship due to funeral costs, with one in seven families having to cut back on essentials like heating and food.
* A woman who lost both parents within six months was unable to afford their funerals, but received £1,370 from the QSA charity to cover a modest funeral.
* Funeral directors are introducing new services to help reduce costs, such as direct cremation where the body is cremated without a service.
* The QSA charity warns that "funeral poverty" is a significant issue that can have a major impact on people's mental health and ability to grieve.
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