Chancellor challenged to #BurytheDebt for grieving families

Home » Advice on Funeral Costs » Chancellor challenged to #BurytheDebt for grieving families

One in six families are facing debt and distress after arranging a funeral. Vital government help with basic funeral costs was capped at £700 in 2003, far less than the cost of the most basic funeral.

Now campaigners, charities and funeral industry are calling on the Chancellor Philip Hammond to #BurytheDebt and raise the funeral fund so it covers the cost of a basic funeral and grieving families are not forced into poverty and debt.

The #BurytheDebt campaign was launched on Tuesday 17th October with a funeral debt procession in Parliament Square. Campaigners are asking people sign their petition to help put pressure on the Chancellor to act.

Sign the petition

Shrinking state support

The funeral fund was designed to cover the cost of a basic funeral for grieving families who would otherwise be unable to afford one. Spending on the fund has only increased by 4.5% since 1988 – with 2017 expenditure the lowest for 10 years, and the average funeral fund award only covers 40% of a basic funeral

Kristina’s story

In this short video, Fair Funerals spokesperson Kristina tells her story of struggling with her mum’s deal at the same time as crippling funeral debts.

Kristina says;
“With all the debt I couldn’t afford and the emotions from losing mum, I just couldn’t grieve in peace.”

Watch the 2 minute campaign video here

Chancellor challenged to act

Campaigners are asking the Chancellor to raise the amount of money available for funeral expenses in line with funeral cost inflation, which would bring it to £1,377. They are asking that this figure be up-rated annually in line with the retail price index.

Heather Kennedy, Fair Funerals campaigns manager says:

“In the fifth richest country in the world, it’s simply not good enough that grieving families are being forced into poverty and debt trying to arrange a simple funeral after someone they love dies. Our government needs to take action to address this growing public concern and guarantee everyone in dignity in death. By increasing the funeral fund, many grieving families would be spared the emotional and financial burden of not being unable to afford a respectful funeral.”

Sharing the video and petition
Please share the video and petition using the hashtag #BurytheDebt

Related Posts

How long do you get off work for a bereavement?

When you’ve suffered a loss, it can feel as though your whole world has come to a stop. You’ll n...

View

How much does a typical cremation cost?

How much does a typical cremation cost? If you have recently lost a loved one and it was their wish...

View

COVID’s role in breaking the taboo of death

COVID has meant the topic of death has sadly been brought to the forefront of the news as well as ou...

View

Search for a Funeral Director

Funeral Directors by Region

We list more than 3,000 funeral directors across the UK and list estimated starting prices. Find a funeral director in your area.

View Directors

Find a Funeral Director

Search for funeral directors near you and discover the one that can help fulfil your loved one's wishes.

Search Now

For free advice, contact the Funeral Choice team on 01983 754387

×

Request Advice

Call a member of the Funeral Choice advice team on 01983 754387

or complete our enquiry form.

×

Funeral Director fees

The price quoted contains the Funeral Director fees for a simple funeral. This includes:

  • Funeral Director fees for meetings, paperwork and running the funeral
  • Collection of the deceased and care prior to funeral
  • Hearse or appropriate vehicle for transport to the funeral
  • Basic coffin

The Funeral Director fees quoted do not include third party costs (often called disbursements). The Funeral Director will guide you through your options. These costs are:

  • Cremation or burial fees
  • Medical certificate for cremation
  • Clergy or officiant fee for conducting the ceremony

In addition to the disbursements you may want to discuss optional costs with your Funeral Director - these could include:

  • Funeral flowers
  • Memorial (venue hire, catering etc)
  • Memorial headstone
  • Orders of service
Close
×

What is a Direct Cremation?

A Direct Cremation is an alternative to the traditional funeral. This involves the cremation of the deceased without a funeral service. A Direct Cremation is generally the most economic option because costs of the coffin, preparation of the body, funeral service and expensive transportation are not included. However, many people choose Direct Cremations for reasons other than expense, for example:

  • - Wanting to have a memorial at a different time to the cremation
  • - Expressed desire from the deceased to not have a ceremony
  • - Individuals with relatives who face big physical or geographical challenges in coming together for a ceremony

The prices quoted for Direct Cremations include:

  • All charges, meetings and paperwork for the cremation
  • Collection of deceased and care prior to cremation
  • A simple coffin and urn for the ashes
  • Cremation fees and delivery of ashes to the family
Close
×

Attended funeral

This is Funeral Choice’s best estimate of this Funeral Director’s fees for an Attended Funeral, which is where family and friends have a ceremony or service for the deceased person at the same time as they attend their burial or cremation.

This price includes the following:

  • Taking care of all necessary legal and administrative arrangements
  • Collecting and transporting the deceased person from the place of death (normally within 15 miles of the funeral director’s premises) into the funeral director’s care
  • Care of the deceased person before the funeral in appropriate facilities.
  • Providing a suitable coffin
  • Optional viewing of the deceased person for family and friends, by appointment with the funeral director
  • At a date and time you agree with the funeral director, taking the deceased person direct to the agreed cemetery or crematorium (normally within 20 miles of the funeral director’s premises) in a hearse or other appropriate vehicle

In addition to the Funeral Director’s fee, there will be third party costs to consider (sometimes called disbursements) to cover the other aspects of a funeral (such as the crematorium or burial fees). Your chosen Funeral Director will be able to provide these for you.

Close
×

Unattended funeral

This is Funeral Choice’s best estimate of this Funeral Director’s fees and the crematorium fee for an Unattended Funeral, which is where family and friends may choose to have a ceremony, event or service for the deceased person, but they do not attend the burial or cremation itself. This is also known as a Direct Cremation.

This price includes the following:

  • Funeral Director's fees
  • Crematorium fee (for an unattended funeral) as selected by the Funeral Director

In addition to this fee, there might be additional third party costs to consider (sometimes called disbursements). Your chosen Funeral Director will be able to explain these for you.

If you wish to attend the funeral, you should view the “Attended Funeral” price instead.

Close
×

Why is this price Estimated?

We work hard to ensure the Funeral Director Fees we display are accurate and up to date. However, unlike with our partners, we cannot guarantee this price is correct today.

Funeral Director fees

The price quoted contains the Funeral Director fees for a simple funeral. This includes:

  • Funeral Director fees for meetings, paperwork and running the funeral
  • Collection of the deceased and care prior to funeral
  • Hearse or appropriate vehicle for transport to the funeral
  • Basic coffin

The Funeral Director fees quoted do not include third party costs (often called disbursements). The Funeral Director will guide you through your options. These costs are:

  • Cremation or burial fees
  • Medical certificate for cremation
  • Clergy or officiant fee for conducting the ceremony

In addition to the disbursements you may want to discuss optional costs with your Funeral Director - these could include:

  • Funeral flowers
  • Memorial (venue hire, catering etc)
  • Memorial headstone
  • Orders of service
Close
×

Funeral Choice charity donation

To redeem the £20 charity donation all you have to do is select the charity from the dropdown list in the Make Contact form. Once you have confirmed arrangements with that funeral director send us an email to info@yourfuneralchoice.com confirming the service has been arranged. After we receive this email we will make the donation to the chosen charity and confirm back to you.

Close