Cheapest prepaid funeral plans UK

A funeral plan enables you to pay for your funeral in advance, locking in today’s rate and avoiding passing this sizeable financial burden onto loved ones.

The cost of a pre-paid funeral plan can range from £1,425 to £7,059*. The price is determined by what services the funeral plan includes.

The cheapest type of funeral is a direct cremation (average cost £1,628**) which doesn’t require the costly services of a funeral director or a funeral service with mourners). In contrast, a traditional burial is significantly more expensive (average cost £5,440**). Please note these are ‘at need’ costs and not that of a funeral plan.

In this guide, we reveal the cheapest prepaid funeral plans available in the UK right now and share practical ways to reduce costs further.

Top 10 cheapest funeral plans UK

Prepaid funeral plan prices vary more than you might expect. We've done the research so you don't have to - here are the cheapest direct cremation funeral plans available from 10 leading providers in the UK***.

According to our 2026 findings on the above providers, With Grace offer the cheapest pre-paid funeral plan in the UK, while perhaps the most recognisable direct cremation provider Pure Cremation is the most expensive.

All prices shown are based on a single upfront payment. Monthly instalment options are available with most providers, though the total cost will usually be higher.

One off payment vs monthly instalments

Like most financial products, paying upfront in a single lump sum will typically work out cheaper than opting for monthly instalments, so it's worth considering if you're in a position to do so.

For example, at Simplicity Cremations our low-cost funeral plan costs £1,799 upfront whereas our instalments payment method costs £[simplicity-funeral-plan-instalment-price] over the term (24 months x £79.19).

Whereas, Pure Cremation’s cheapest funeral plan is priced at £2,095 (discounted price). However if you purchased this plan via monthly instalment it would set you back £2,447.76 (24 months x £101.99).

The ‘cheapest’ funeral plan isn't always the best value

Price matters, but it isn't everything. When choosing a prepaid funeral plan, there are several other key factors worth considering alongside cost.

Beyond price, here's what else to look for when comparing prepaid funeral plans.

#1 Free gifts

A number of funeral plan offer a free gift incentive for taking out their funeral plan. For example, Distinct Cremations now offer a £150 gift card, Simplicity a £100 gift card and Celebration of life a £50 gift card.

Where two funeral plans are broadly similar in price and what's included, a gift card incentive could tip the balance - making an otherwise comparable plan better value overall.

#2 Cancellation fees

If you cancel outside of the 30-day cooling-off period (if you paid upfront), your money will be refunded minus a cancellation fee. If you pay via monthly instalments the cooling-off period is much longer, for example at Simplicity it’s 24 months.

For example, at Simplicity we charge a £300 cancellation fee, while Golden Leaves charge £325 and Pure Cremation £350. Aura Life were the only provider in our research who didn’t charge a cancellation fee.

Cancellation fees vary between providers, so it's worth factoring this into your decision before committing to a plan.

#3 Quality of customer service

During the setting up of the funeral plan and post taking out the plan it’s important that the customer service you receive is professional and of a high quality.

Choosing a funeral plan can be confusing, as different providers offer differ things at different prices and therefore understanding exactly what is and isn't included matters.

Good customer service can save time, provide clarity, and ensures you make the right choice. A strong Trustpilot rating over a period of time can be a reliable indicator that a provider communicates well and delivers on its promises.

#4 What is included within the funeral plan

Price is just the starting point. Our top 10 cheapest funeral plans above show significant variation in cost, but what each plan actually covers can vary too.

For example, while With Grace offers the cheapest funeral plan, it doesn’t include the removal of any medical devices; whereas with Simplicity’s plan it does.

Also, With Grace rely on third-party crematoria, meaning a local facility isn't always guaranteed. With 45 owned crematoria nationwide, Simplicity is far better placed to offer a crematorium close to you.

What's actually included in your funeral plan?

Before choosing a funeral plan, make sure the following are included as standard:

• Collection of deceased (24 hours a day)
• Specialist support from our funeral advisors (24/7)
• Transfer to the crematorium
• Professional care at a mortuary
• Cremation preparation
• Removal of medical devices (such as a pacemaker)
• Coffin and urn
• Cremation fees
• Ashes hand delivered to your home
• Scattering of the ashes

Burial funeral plan vs direct cremation cost comparison

As shown in our top 10 table above, direct cremation funeral plans range from £1,560 to £2,095 depending on the provider, but if you're considering a burial, the cost is significantly higher.

Unlike a direct cremation, a burial funeral plan typically includes a much broader range of services, such as:

• Funeral director to manage and oversee the arrangements
• A hearse and funeral procession
• A ceremony at a church or chapel with an officiant or celebrant
• In some cases, a limousine/s to transport the family

Burial plot costs add significantly to the overall expense - averaging £2,374** nationally and ranging from £886 in Northern Ireland to £4,863 in London. Please note, the cost of a burial plot is not usually included in a burial funeral plan. Direct cremation avoids this cost entirely.

Here are some burial funeral plan price examples to illustrate the difference:

• Co-op (Simple)& - £2,995
• Golden Leaves (The Silver Plan) - £3,725
• Golden Charter (Standard plan) - £3,800
• Dignity (Essence) - £3,850

It's important to note that burial plan prices are not included in our top 10 cheapest funeral plans table above, as these are direct cremation plans only. However, just as with direct cremation plans, the cost of a burial funeral plan varies considerably.

If a burial is important to you, for personal, cultural or religious reasons, it's well worth comparing providers carefully before committing, as the saving between the cheapest and most expensive burial plan can be sizeable.

It's also worth checking exactly what each burial plan includes as standard, as some providers include a contribution towards disbursements (third party fees) rather than covering them in full, which could mean additional costs for your family at the time of need.

Low-cost funeral plans from Simplicity Cremations

At Simplicity Cremations, our funeral plan costs from just £1,799 and with the largest crematorium network in the UK there is a good chance we are local to you.

Our affordable plan covers all of the necessary elements of a simple and fuss-free funeral including:

• 24 hour collection of the deceased
• Specialist support from our funeral advisors
• 24/7 UK call centre
• Care in our local mortuary facilities
• Cremation fees
• A simple coffin & urn
• Transport in our specialised funeral vehicles
• Return of ashes (mainland Great Britain) or scattering in our garden of remembrance

As detailed in this article, funeral plan prices depend on the type of plan you choose, as well as your chosen provider.

The cheapest prepaid funeral plan may not meet all of your requirements or provide the best value. Therefore it's important to research the different funeral plans available and find one that suits your exactly needs and budget.

Cheapest funeral plan FAQs:

What is a prepaid funeral plan?

A prepaid funeral plan allows you to pay for your funeral in advance at today's prices, protecting your family from rising costs. With the average UK funeral cost rising, locking in today's rate could result in a significant saving.

It also removes the financial burden from loved ones at what is already a difficult time.

Are prepaid funeral plans worth it?

For most people, yes. Funeral costs have risen significantly in recent years - a direct cremation cost £1,511 in 2022, rising to £1,628 by 2025, while an attended cremation rose from £3,673 to £4,200 and a burial from £4,794 to £5,440 over the same period.

Locking in today's price protects your family from future inflation and avoids passing the financial burden onto loved ones or your estate. (Data compared from www.sunlife.co.uk/siteassets/documents/cost-of-dying/sunlife-cost-of-dying-report-2023.pdf vs www.sunlife.co.uk/siteassets/documents/cost-of-dying/sunlife-cost-of-dying-report-2026.pdf) .

A prepaid funeral plan also provides a clear record of your wishes, removing any uncertainty or potential conflict among family members when the time comes.

That said, a prepaid funeral plan isn't for everyone. If you'd prefer flexibility, an over 50s life insurance plan may be worth considering - providing a cash lump sum upon death that can be used for a funeral or anything else your family may need.

How are my funds protected?

Yes. Since July 2022, all UK funeral plan providers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), meaning providers must be transparent about costs, treat customers fairly and safeguard all money paid into plans.

In the case of Simplicity Cremations, your money is held in a secure, independently managed trust, separate from own finances, and reviewed annually by an independent expert, ensuring funds are always sufficient to cover your cremation.

You're also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which provides a safety net should a provider ever go out of business.

What is the cheapest prepaid funeral plan in the UK?

According to our research on the top 10 providers, With Grace currently offer the cheapest funeral plan. However as detailed above this does not mean that it is necessary the best value for money plan on the market.

What isn't included in a direct cremation funeral plan?

A direct cremation is designed to be simple and affordable, so the elements traditionally associated with a funeral service are generally not included:

• No funeral ceremony at the crematorium - the cremation takes place privately with no mourners, officiant or celebrant present
• No hearse, limousine or funeral procession - there is no traditional funeral cortege as part of a direct cremation
• No choice of crematorium - the crematorium is selected by the provider based on availability and location
• No flowers - floral tributes are not included as standard
• No embalming or viewing - visiting the person who has died prior to cremation is not typically included
• No death notices or obituaries - these would need to be arranged separately

It's worth noting that families are free to arrange a separate memorial or celebration of life at a time and place of their choosing - many find this a more personal way to say goodbye.

A funeral plan or over 50 life insurance?

Many people consider funeral insurance, sometimes referred to as 'over 50s life insurance', as a means of paying for their funeral in advance.

An over 50s policy will provide a cash lump sum when you die, that can be used to help with funeral costs. However, it is important to note that the cash lump sum paid out by an insurance policy is fixed so inflation will likely reduce the value over time.

In some cases, people may have paid more in premiums than the fixed lump sum will paid out. There is no guarantee that the insurer will pay out the full funeral cost when the time comes.

As a result, we believe it is important to understand the benefits of paying for their funeral in advance with a prepaid funeral plan - locking in todays' rate.

In comparison to funeral insurance, a funeral plan can offer a better level of funeral cover. Rather than paying a lump sum following your death, prepaid funeral plans cover the cost of a pre-arranged funeral.

You choose the kind of funeral you’d like, and the provider will supply a package that will cover funeral costs, often including the service, coffin, transportation and other related costs.

A payment plan is agreed and once the plan has been paid for, no further instalments are required. Following your death, the provider will take care of the funeral arrangements.

How did we compile our cheapest funeral plan research?

Methodology: Our in-house Simplicity Cremations team carried out extensive online research analysing verified funeral plan prices on the providers websites and carefully reading through the small print and terms and conditions of exactly what elements each plan included.

This information was reviewed and approved. Please note, prices and plan details were correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Can a prepaid funeral plan save you money?

A prepaid funeral plan gives you the opportunity to arrange and pay for your funeral in advance; freezing costs at today’s prices and avoiding any future inflation.

A plan also allows you to protect those left behind, helping to avoid placing a financial burden on your family in the event of your passing.

When the time comes, all it will take is one phone call to put the plans into motion.

Sources:

*Defaqto

**https://www.sunlife.co.uk/siteassets/ documents/cost-of-dying/sunlife-cost-of-dying-report-2026.pdf

***Based on search volumes detailed by Ahrefs.com

https://funeralswithgrace.com/

https://www.col.co.uk/

https://aura.life/

https://www.coop.co.uk/funeralcare/

https://www.goldenleaves.com/

https://www.dignityfuneralplans.co.uk/

https://www.goldencharter.co.uk/

https://www.distinctcremations.co.uk/

https://www.purecremation.co.uk/