How much does cremation cost?

More and more people are choosing cremation instead of burial. But how much does it cost to be cremated in the UK? And what’s the difference between a standard cremation and a direct cremation? We’ve put together this guide to help you understand your options. 

How much is a cremation in the UK? 

The average cost of cremation in the UK is £3795 (SunLife 2024). This cost covers the price of the cremation, the funeral director’s fees, the doctor’s fees and the cost of a celebrant to lead the service. 

This basic cremation cost doesn’t cover other send-off fees, such as flowers, limousines, a memorial (a headstone or an urn), an order of service, or catering for the wake. In 2023, the average people spent on a send-off was £2768. These costs are optional and you might choose to have all, some or none of these things at the service. 

How much does a cremation cost across the UK? 

It’s hard to say. UK cremation prices vary between regions and between different funeral directors and crematoriums.  

Let’s take London as an example. While the city has the UK’s highest overall funeral costs (SunLife 2024), it was also home to the second-cheapest crematorium in 2023 (The Cremation Society). 

The cheapest crematorium was in Northern Ireland, where you’d pay £408 in cremation fees. The most expensive was in Hertfordshire in England, where a cremation cost £1400. 

Bear in mind that these costs only include the price for cremation. They don’t include the funeral director’s fees, doctor’s fees or any extras. 

You can use our funeral director search tool to compare cremation funeral prices in your area. 

How much does direct cremation cost in the UK? 

If you’re looking for a lower-cost cremation, you could consider direct cremation. 

A direct cremation is a simple cremation, without a funeral service. This means there are no readings, no music and no one attends a service. 

On average, a direct cremation costs £1498 (SunLife 2024). Although prices can start from £900 to £1000, depending on your location and the options you choose. All funeral directors will list their prices for an unattended funeral on their standard price list. 

Although you don’t have a formal funeral service with a direct cremation, you can still get together to remember the person who has died. Some people choose to organise a wake or memorial service to celebrate their loved one’s life. This often takes place in a pub or at the family home. 

Is cremation cheaper than burial? 

Yes – usually. The average cremation costs £1282 less than the average burial. The average cost for a funeral with burial in the UK is £5077 (SunLife 2024). 

By choosing a cremation, you also have more options about the type of memorial you’d like. For example, you can still choose to have a traditional headstone, but this is one of the most expensive options. Choosing a memorial urn is a less expensive option. Alternatively, you might decide to scatter the ashes and have no fixed memorial at all. 

How do I find cremation costs for funeral directors near me? 

It’s important to remember that not all funeral directors charge the same price for their services. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to shop around and get prices from several funeral directors before choosing the right one for you. 

You can use the location search on our website to compare cremation costs near you. These prices include the costs of cremation as well as funeral director fees.