Welcome to the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2021

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting every walk of life in 2020, we knew that 2021’s
Cost of Dying report was going to be a little different.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is that the cost of a basic funeral
has gone up. It’s now £4,184 – the highest it’s ever been.

While this figure has risen, our wider focus on the funeral market
shows that the rate at which funeral costs are increasing has slowed
each year, for the last four years. And this year shows the lowest ever
year-on-year increase.

In addition, the pandemic has changed the funeral industry dramatically, perhaps permanently. Most notably, direct cremations (where family do
not attend the cremation, but can arrange their own, separate service)
are becoming ever more popular.

This increase in direct cremations can’t be solely because of the
pandemic. But the lower cost, and the fact that many people couldn’t
organise a more traditional funeral due to government regulations,
are likely to have been significant factors.

Report Contents

Tips from Funeral Directors and Families

To help people during such difficult times, we’ve included practical tips from both funeral directors and people who’ve recently organised a send-off. They’ve given us a wealth of insight into how to cut costs and alleviate the stresses of organising a funeral.

I’d also like to draw attention to another development: our new method of calculating the cost of a funeral.

We now take the percentage of cremations vs. burials into account, to reflect the changing habits of the nation – as cremations are now far more common than when our Cost of Dying research began. You’ll notice we’ve also updated previous years’ figures, so you can clearly see the change over time.

So read on to find out more about funeral costs, trends and changes in 2021 – and to hear what the future of funerals may hold.

Could you do with some FREE, sound advice on:

• Writing a Will – What do I need and how much does it cost?
• Creating Lasting Powers of Attorney – If I was incapacitated who can act on my behalf?
• Property Protection Trusts – Can these really save Care Home Fees?
• Pre-Paid Funeral Plans – With so many to choose from how do I decide which plan is best?

There is so much confusion on these vital areas of estate planning, that sometimes just a chat with an expert in the field can clear up misunderstanding and set out the way ahead, without all the legal jargon.

Steve Worsfold
Affiliate Member of the Society of Will Writers
Advising on Wills/Trusts/Probate/Powers of Attorney

Mobile: 07734 744886
Office: 01903 533681
Email: steve@sussexwillwriters.co.uk
Website: www.sussexwillwriters.co.uk

Protecting What’s Precious to You,
Now and in the Future

Sussex Will Writers is proud to support Dementia Friends,
an initiative of The Alzheimers Society

Our business is certified ‘Safe to do business with’ and ‘Code compliant’
by the UK’s largest regulatory body for Will Writers, The Society of Will Writers.
Steve Worsfold has been an Affiliate Member of the Society for 15 years. 

Sign Up to Receive our Free Newsletter 

We send a Newsletter once a quarter and only occasional mailings to provide updates on changes in government policy or news of any special offers. You can download the latest version of our Newsletter by signing up with your name and email.