It’s a RIP-off: burial plots & cremation prices rocket

THE cost of dying is rising twice as quickly as the cost of living, a study says.

The average price of a burial is up 20% since 2015, while inflation has increased by 7.67%.

The cost of a plot for a grave is £1,838, compared to £1,533 three years ago, while the average price of a cremation has risen by 17.5% from £667 to £784.

The lack of competition is driving cremation prices up by £300 in some areas, said funeral comparison site Beyond.

Britain’s 10 most expensive crematoria charge £1,070 and are on average 14.4 miles away from their nearest rival.

James Dunn, of Beyond, said: “Funeral prices are not something we enjoy talking about and that means awareness of the rising costs is very low, which plays into the hands of cemetery and crematorium owners.

“Competition and transparency are key if costs are going to be prevented from rising unchecked.”