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The average cost of a basic funeral in the UK has dropped by 3.1% from £4,184 in 2020 to £4,056 in 2021, according to research by SunLife, marking the first time funeral prices have dropped since the research began in 2004.
The research also found that direct cremation, the most affordable type of funeral, has increased in cost to £1,647, up 6% from £1,554 in 2020.
Meanwhile, a burial is still the most expensive option despite falling 2.1% year-on-year from £5,033 to £4,927. Additionally, cremation has also witnessed a 3.1% drop in costs year-on-year, falling from £3,885 to £3,765.
SunLife said the most dramatic change this year is the fall in professional fees. At £2,325, they have dropped 8.7% since 2020, making up 26.2% of the total cost of dying.
Despite the overall drop in costs, the cost of dying has still risen in four regions across the UK, including London, North East England, North West England, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Overall, London is still the most expensive place to die at £5,358 which is up 2.3%. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is still the most affordable place to die, also dropping -5.2% to £3,056.
