Funeral Costs

[237SJ]

I`m just going through a load of documents from my Dad`s death that I need for IHT purposes relating to my Mum`s death. In 2007 in the South West, a funeral cost £1526.70. In 2015 in the South East, it cost £4694. That`s an awful lot of money. I wonder if funeral costs have increased since the advent of pre-paid funeral plans - a bit like the increase in vet fees since pet insurance was invented?

[Barmaid]

Are you comparing like for like though? I have seen funeral costs vary from between £1k to about £8k.

[jno]

I can see some (mostly cremation, by the look of it) under £1000, eg

http://www.funeralsmadesimple.co.uk/services.html?gclid=CNK2wJaOx8YCFcvItAodpIsJGA

But I can't answer your wider question, sorry.

[Peter Pedant]

sorry to hear of you mums death SJ

I have just cremated one of my tenants
It seems difficult to do it for less than £2k

and yes, funeral insurance was involved

[ladybirder]

Ooo where can I get sorted for £1k Barmaid?

[237SJ]

Thanks Peter.
My Dad`s funeral was the full church service, with opening of the family vault for burial. My Mum`s was a simple cremation service.

[jno]

see the link I posted, ladybirder. You may have to leave us soon in case prices rise, though.

[Peter Pedant]

the crem fee is £750 so the other £250 goes for the tent in someone's garden .....

[Barmaid]

I couldnt tell you the companies Ladybirder, but I see it on estate accounts all the time.

I could probably do it for £500 - although that will involve a bonfire and a cardboard box.;)

[237SJ]

To add - we got the flowers included for the first funeral. I paid extra for the second because I got them independently of the funeral director

[jno]

it does sound like a lot of money. I suppose you should shop around, make sure exactly what you're paying for, etc; but after the death of someone you're close to, shopping around is the last thing anyone feels like doing.

I would expect the south east to have the highest prices for anything any time.

[ladybirder]

Thanks jno, your link wasn't there but I've copied it now. but as Barmaid's offered to do it for £500 I probably won't need it.

Sorry 237, not meaning to be disrespectful.

[237SJ]

That`s alright ladybirder. I was just posting for discussion really as the prices show how things have become more expensive over the last few years and how they vary in different parts of the country. I went to the crematorium the day before the funeral because my friend`s Dad way going to play the organ at the service and needed to familiarise himself. The crem manager was there and said there are 8 cremations to every burial these days. He offered to show me the area where the coffins were burned (because he wanted to dispell the rumour that you get everyone else`s ashes and not just your loved one`s). Needless to say, I declined. He did say that I should come back for their open day in September though!

[trt]

## I could probably do it for £500 - although that will involve a bonfire and a cardboard box.;) ##

Its free in India if you supply your own wood. :-)

[237SJ]

Here`s another thing. I have just found the Solicitor`s bill for arranging Grant of Probate (a very simple, straitforward estate) in 2007 £794 (in the SW). I have been quoted between £2500 and £3500 for the same in 2015 (SW solicitor).

[Psybbo]

£3,275 here and they didn't offer any off for two basic cremations. Sorry for your loss, 237SJ

[237SJ]

Thank you Psybbo.

[rosycider]

For my Mums funeral in Feb this year in Berkshire, the cost was £4300.The greatest cost was the funeral directors services and the crematorium fees which were £3500

[jennyjoan]

i think in NI it is nearly £3,000 - my brother did have his own grave so I dont know if that was included in the price. It is roughly £3,000 anyway.

[237SJ]

I have found the bill
Provision of the Funeral Director`s professional services £770
Attending to all necessary arrangements £650
Provision of necessary staff £690
Conveyance to our premises from -----Hospital £170
Care of the deceased including temporary preservation £160
Provision of the casket as chosen from our brochure £825
Supplying a hearse £250
Provision of one limousine £240
Supplying a scattering tube £35
Fees paid to Doctors for remation papers £164
Fees paid to Crematorium £550
Fees paid to vicar £190

Nice work if you can get it..

[EDDIE51]

It is 100% legal to just have the body delivered to the back door of the crem in a shroud or body bag, no coffin.Then just cremated without any ceremony at all. No need to use a hearse for transport an estate car or van will do (or even a hand cart) This will only cost the cremation fee (£350 near me) and the cost of transport plus the body bag (£11 on ebay) and the death certificate and cremation release fees ( about £75) so all in £450 including the transport cost, less if someone can give the stiff a free lift to the crem. Get someone on benefit to apply for a funeral grant £1200 and that leaves £750 for a ***up at the deceased 's local pub in memory.
Alternately leave your body to a medical school for the students to practice on, there is a shortage of bodies for medical students at the moment so plenty are needed. This is free of any charge , the medical school does all the arrangements and paper work.