You cannot plan every expense. It is especially when you least expect it. Losing a loved one suddenly is hard. One struggles to process the death and the expenses that come along. Funeral costs continue to rise even now.
According to the 2025 Funeral Report, the average cost of a funeral is £5,212, which was £4,706 in 2024. Individuals with average earnings and savings could hardly arrange for that. Moreover, one may struggle to get help from relatives and known ones on short notice. So, what should you do if you cannot afford a funeral? The blog discusses that in detail.
How does one usually pay for a funeral?
Funeral costs are harsh and eye-watering. Understanding how individuals meet this cost may help you get an idea and act immediately. Here are some common ways to fund a funeral:
Using personal loans
Yes, you may finance the funeral using personal loans. It is the perfect way to finance small, big and unplanned expenses. Identify the loans that you may qualify for depending on your credit score, earnings, and financial management. You can check your affordability on a loan calculator.
It may help you know how much you can afford and the rates you may get. If you find it unaffordable due to credit issues, check loans for bad credit online. These are specifically for individuals battling through missed payments, CCJs and bankruptcy. You may get an instant loan according to your affordability and the amount required. Make sure to repay the dues on time to improve your credit score.
Using money from the estate
It is generally hard to use the funds from the estate to fund the funeral needs. You need to obtain a Grant of Probate, which permits you to tap the money for funeral use. It may take between 3 months and a year to get the probability. You cannot wait until then. Thus, you need to check other options. Meanwhile, engage in the legal proceedings to get a Grant of Probate quickly.
A prepaid funeral plan
It is weird to know, but yes, pre-paid funeral plans do exist. In this, the person plans the funeral costs themselves without burdening their loved ones. It requires one to make consistent payments every month for a long time period. It could be costly to spread the cost of the prepaid funeral plan over a longer time.
Over 50s Life Insurance
Yes, some life insurance policies provide the prospect of covering the funeral costs. You must check whether your later life insurance, or 50s life insurance, provides that flexibility. Enquire from your policy provider before using the funds. Or else, check whether the past one had such insurance. If yes, check the nominee. If you are the nominee, you can tap the funds to pay for the funeral costs.
Who is generally responsible for paying the funeral costs?
There are no such laws in the UK stating the responsibility regarding paying for the funeral costs. If you have filed for the Funeral Director and have a valid contract, you are responsible for paying their fees.
Alternatively, if you lack enough funds and do not have a funeral director, the Public Health Funeral organisation will look after this. It is also known by the name “Pauper’s Funeral”. These events are designed to protect the public health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. The way of the funeral may differ as the criteria are not listed in the law. The council will be responsible for organising the funeral in this case.
Can you use the deceased’s bank account to pay for the funeral?
Yes, you can use the deceased person’s bank account to clear the funeral expenses even when you don’t have the probate. Banks usually close the account temporarily or freeze the account of the dead person.
However, it releases the funds shortly to the account of the Funeral director or may reimburse the arranger on receiving the death certificate and the personal ID. Here are some steps that you need to follow to access the deceased person’s bank account:
- Step 1: Get the death certificate that you will need to show to the bank.
- Step 2: Identify the person having the legal authority to manage the deceased’s estate. You can check the will or an administrator appointed by the court if there is no will.
- Step 3: Inform the bank of the death and complete the necessary documentation. It includes the death certificate and proof of your legal authority.
- Step 4: Once authorised by the bank, you can later use the funds to pay for the funeral director’s fees directly from the account.
Note:
- If the deceased had a joint account, the surviving account holder may get immediate access to funds. One can use them for funeral expenses without waiting for probate and letters of administration.
- Funds from the deceased administrative account become part of the state. These funds are available to settle the debts. It includes funeral expenses, before the beneficiaries’ stake.
How to ensure a cheaper funeral?
Well, the above information may help you cover the cost of the funeral. However, if you still struggle to pay for one, the following aspects may help:
Host the funeral at home
If your guests and family members are comfortable, you can host a funeral at home. It prevents you from paying for the cost of hiring a venue. However, if you still need help with planning basic needs, check loans with no guarantor online. It may help you finance the needs individually instead of burdening others in this tough hour.
Bring flowers yourself
Instead of buying professional bouquets, bring flowers yourself. It may help you save money on expensive combinations of flowers. You can also request your guests to bring their own flowers.
Create homemade food
Instead of hiring a caterer, go a little simple by preparing food yourself. If you are busy with the proceedings, take help from your loved ones.
Provide your own transport
Instead of hiring private transportation services, you can request guests to bring their own cars to the funeral.
Bottom line
Thus, if you cannot afford a funeral, check whether the government may support you. You can also check the public health funeral organisation if you lack the money to pay for a funeral. Alternatively, check the deceased person’s financial planning. Identify whether they had any insurance or pre-paid funeral plans.
You can tap it to cover the funeral costs legally. Also, check whether you can get anything from the inheritance or the bank account of the deceased person. Understand the laws deeply before proceeding.