Funeral costs have more than doubled in the last decade and are continuing to rise year on year as rosycider says the main cost is funeral directors fees,of course a funeral can take place without their services and will keep costs down but it takes a lot of planning and running around at a time when one does not exactly feel up to it.A basic funeral with just a graveside service with minister,lair already purchased,and no afterwards costs £3,500 in the north of Scotland,death is really very expensive.Sorry for your loss 237SJ.