Four in 10 want ashes scattered overseas, survey finds
Only 14% have money set aside for their funeral and just 11% hold a life insurance policy
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Four in 10 people in Britain would like their ashes scattered abroad, but most have made little financial preparation to cover the cost, according to new research by comparison site MoneySuperMarket.
It found that 44% of respondents wanted their remains taken overseas and three in four people now favour cremation, a marked change from past traditions. Yet only 14% have money set aside for their funeral and just 11% hold a life insurance policy.
The findings come as funeral expenses continue to climb. According to the SunLife Cost of Dying report, the average funeral and send-off in 2025 costs £9,797, up 1.4% from last year. Families typically contribute £2,371 themselves, while many remain unprepared: 88% of those surveyed said they had not considered the financial impact.
Direct cremations – a lower-cost option involving no formal service – have increased sharply, with demand rising 567% since 2019. One in five families chose this route in 2024.
Kara Gammell, life insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Our research finds that many are moving away from traditional services in favour of simpler, more personal alternatives – like scattering ashes. The challenge is ensuring those wishes can be carried out without leaving loved ones in financial difficulty.”
While many see scattering ashes abroad as a meaningful alternative to a traditional funeral, costs can escalate. Travel expenses, permits and local regulations can add hundreds or thousands of pounds to the final bill.
Some countries impose strict rules or bans. Spain prohibits scattering ashes in public places, including the sea, while in the United States ashes must be taken at least three nautical miles offshore. In Iceland, families require both a permit and formal contact with the local district commissioner.
Beaches and the sea were the most popular choices for ash scattering, each cited by 17% of respondents. Other preferred locations included memorial gardens or churchyards (14%), countryside walks or parks (13%) and favourite holiday spots (11%). Southern Europe and the Caribbean featured among the most sought-after international destinations.
