Funeral costs have seen a dramatic rise

FUNERAL costs have shot up 70% in the past decade – that’s more than triple the rise in house prices and wages.

In the last year alone they have risen 4.7% to an average of £4,078, according to the latest Cost of Dying report from SunLife.

London remains the most expensive place to die with the average funeral costing £5,951. That compares to £2,982 in Northern Ireland where costs have dropped 9% in the past year. Wales has also seen a drop of 4.6% to an average of £3,461.

If costs continue to rise at the same rate the average cost will be almost £5,000 in five years.

But, there are things people can do to cut the cost.

If you don’t want all the pomp and ceremony, having a direct cremation – where the body is cremated immediately after death without a funeral service – costs less than half that of a standard cremation at an average of £1,835.

You can also save by not having a wake, or holding it at home – the average amount spent on a wake and catering is £655.

There are also cheaper coffins, with prices from £100 for a cardboard one.

Dean Lamble, head of SunLife, said: “Many people worry that a cheaper funeral is disrespectful but more than a third of people who have recently organised a funeral said they would want their own to be as cheap as possible. Just one in 50 said they want a lavish affair.”