Funeral plan prices in the UK typically range from around £1,400 to £4,000 or more, depending on the type of funeral and what is included.*
Most people don’t realise how much a funeral costs until they have to arrange one, and many people don’t realise that you can pay for a funeral in advance, at today’s prices, so your family doesn’t have to face the cost later.
This type of advance payment for a funeral service is called a prepaid funeral plan. You choose the type of funeral you want, pay for it now, and the cost of the services in your plan is guaranteed not to go up. When the time comes, your family simply makes a phone call to the funeral provider you have the plan with and everything is taken care of.
But plans vary widely in price, and not all of them cover the same things. This guide explains what drives the cost of a funeral plan and what you should expect to be included.
The single biggest factor is the type of funeral. A plan for a direct cremation – where there is no attended service – will always cost less than a plan for an attended funeral with a ceremony. Beyond that, prices are shaped by these things:
Memoria Funerals offers three prepaid funeral plans. Each one is designed around a different type of funeral, so you can choose the option that feels right for you.
| Direct Cremation Plan | Personal Plan | Celebration of Life Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,595 | £2,495 | £3,095 |
| In a nutshell | Simple direct cremation, no service, no attendance. The most affordable option. | A cremation with an off-peak service for a smaller group of close friends and family. A meaningful farewell at a lower cost. | A cremation with a funeral service at any time with no limit on guests. The most flexible option. |
| Best if… | You do not want a funeral service and would prefer a no-fuss cremation, with less for your family to organise at the time of need. | Your family would value a small, intimate moment together, without the need for a larger or more elaborate ceremony. | You want a full funeral service with flexibility on timing, allowing everyone the opportunity to attend and say goodbye. |
Every Memoria Funerals plan includes funeral director’s fees, cremation fees, care of the deceased, 24/7 family support, and all administration. Optional extras such as a hearse, limousine or officiant can be added to both of the attended plans.
Want to talk it through? Call Memoria Funerals free on 0800 007 3620. Our experienced team is available to discuss what’s right for you, with no pressure to buy.
Not every funeral plan covers the same ground. Before you buy, it is worth asking a few specific questions to avoid surprises down the line:
Funeral plan prices reflect the cost of the funeral they are designed to cover. As funeral costs go up, plan prices follow. And funeral costs have been going up consistently for over two decades.
According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026, the average traditional attended funeral now costs £4,510 – a 5.3% increase in a single year. Since 2004, funeral costs have risen by 146% overall.
This is one of the main reasons people choose a prepaid plan. By paying at today’s price, you are effectively locking in the cost before it goes any higher. The longer you wait, the more you are likely to pay.
To give a rough idea of how costs could change over time, here’s what our plans today might cost in the future based on recent trends:
| Plan | Today | In 5 Years* | In 10 Years* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation Plan | £1,595 | ~£1,752 | ~£1,925 |
| Personal Plan | £2,495 | ~£3,230 | ~£4,182 |
| Celebration of Life Plan | £3,095 | ~£4,006 | ~£5,188 |
*Projections based on 1.9% annual growth for direct cremation and 5.3% for traditional attended funerals. Our attended plans are simple attended plans however there is no trended price info for this type of plan, in the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026, hence using the traditional attended pricing.
There is an important difference between buying a funeral plan and arranging a funeral when it is needed.
An at-need funeral is arranged after someone has died. The family chooses a funeral director, decides on the type of service, and pays the going rate at the time. This can work well if the death is expected soon, but it does mean the family will need find a way to cover the full cost – and has to make decisions quickly during a difficult time.
A prepaid plan is purchased in advance, sometimes years before it will be used. Because the provider does not know the circumstances – where or when the death will occur – the plan is built to cover a wide range of scenarios. That is why it is usually a little higher than the current at-need price. The increased cost also allows for some inflationary increases in the cost to fulfill the funeral when the time comes.
Most providers offer two options: pay in full with a single payment, or spread the cost over monthly instalments (typically 12 or 24 months). Paying in full activates the plan straight away.
If you choose to pay monthly, it is worth checking when cover begins. If the plan holder passes away before payments are complete, the remaining balance may need to be settled before the funeral can go ahead under the plan, or a refund may be available. Terms vary between providers, so always read the details carefully.
View all Memoria Funerals plans and prices - See our funeral plans or call free on 0800 007 3620 to talk through your options.
Prices typically range from around £1,400 for a basic direct cremation plan to £4,000 or more for a comprehensive plan with an attended service. It’s worth noting that the cheaper direct cremation plan is unlikely to be fully-inclusive. Memoria Funerals offers three plans: the comprehensive Direct Cremation Plan at £1,595, the Personal Plan at £2,495, and the Celebration of Life Plan at £3,095. All of our plans are 5-star rated by Fairer Finance or Funeral Solution Expert.
This varies between providers, which is why it is important to check. Memoria Funerals plans include funeral director’s fees, cremation fees, a quality wood coffin, 24/7 collection from anywhere in mainland UK, care of the deceased, all paperwork, and family support. The attended plans also include a funeral service at a crematorium of your choice.
Funeral plan funds are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for up to £85,000 per eligible person, per firm.
For most people, yes. A prepaid plan fixes the cost at today’s price, protects your family from rising funeral costs, and means they will not have to make difficult decisions under pressure. According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026, funeral costs have risen 146% since 2004 and are projected to increase by a further 17% by 2030. If you expect to need the plan within 12 months of purchasing i.e. you have a terminal condition or are receiving end of life care, then it may be more cost effective for the funeral to be arranged at the time of need. However in this particular circumstance you may prefer to still take out a funeral plan in advance, to get your affairs in order and reduce the amount of admin for your loved ones when the time comes.
Both are valid approaches. The advantage of a plan is that your funeral costs are fixed, regardless of how prices rise in the future. If you save into a separate account instead, inflation could mean the pot falls short by the time it is needed. A plan also ensures your wishes are documented and the arrangements are in place, so your family does not have to organise everything from scratch.
Last reviewed: May 2026.
Industry statistics sourced from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026
