UK spends £2.3bn on funerals despite fewer deaths, research finds

People in the UK spent around £2.3bn on funerals last year, despite the fact that fewer people died compared with 2023, according to the latest research by London-based marketing firm HaMuch. 

The figure marks an increase of over £26m on the previous year, driven by a 3.5% rise in the cost of a funeral as the average cost of a funeral is reportedly £4,285. 

According to the research, over half a million people passed away in 2024 (531,953). Whilst this was 2.2% less than the year before, it is still 13.5% more deaths than a decade ago. 

London is predictably home to the highest funeral costs at an average of £5,449. However, the north west saw the sharpest cost increase by 13% in the last year. 

Scotland has also seen one of the largest increases in funeral costs at 7.8%, followed by the East of England (6.5%).

Tarquin Purdie, founder and CEO of HaMuch, said: “It can be incredibly difficult to deal with the loss of a loved one and amidst the grief we’re also required to plan a proper send off, which can add an additional dimension of pressure at what is already a very stressful time.

“Much of this additional stress can come from the cost of planning a funeral and the want to send them off in style versus the reality of what we can afford and in recent years we’ve seen alternative options arise that allow for a far lower cost conclusion.”

He added: “However, for most, the want to honour our loved ones appropriately still takes precedence and whilst it may not seem like the time to be scouring the internet for deals, a little bit of digging could help you find a more affordable funeral director.”

HaMuch has recently launched an online funeral director function to allow for a “quick and easy” search of all the options in anyone’s local area.