Is cremation cheaper than burial?

Yes, the cost of a cremation is generally significantly lower than the cost of a burial in the UK.

According to data from SunLife, the average cost of a simple attended cremation is £3,518, while the average cost of a simple attended burial is £4,758 - around +35% higher.

A traditional attended burial costs £5,440 on average, compared to £4,200 for a traditional attended cremation, representing an increase of around +29.5%.

While these figures compare simple and traditional attended funerals, there's an even more cost‑effective option: a direct cremation.

A direct cremation, like that offered by Simplicity, is a basic fuss-free funeral with no mourners present. The average cost of a direct cremation is just £1,628, making it considerably cheaper than a burial.

Why is cremation cheaper than burial?

There are a number of key differences between a cremation and burial which you should consider before deciding on a funeral.

Cremation costs are typically lower than burial costs, as there are many more costs involved in a burial. The potential savings are further heightened if you choose a low-cost direct cremation.

Burial fees

Burials are typically far more expensive than cremations because they involve several additional costs that cremations don’t.

What's more, burial fees in the UK can vary widely depending on where you live, which can significantly increase the overall price.

Families must pay for a burial plot, interment fees for grave digging and preparation, and often a headstone or memorial - each of which can add hundreds of pounds to the final bill.

Many cemeteries also charge ongoing maintenance fees or require renewal of burial rights after a set period. Additionally, burial services usually involve higher funeral director costs, including a hearse, additional staff, and a longer service or procession.

Combined, these charges make burial a significantly more costly option compared to cremation.

A cremation obviously doesn't require burial costs, but instead requires cremation fees. Although cremation costs do differ from region to region, they don't differ to the extent burial fees do.

Memorial costs

There will also be further costs if you're planning on having a headstone or memorial to mark your loved one’s grave, the cost of which is often overlooked.

The cost of a headstone or memorial can vary depending on the type, design, material and personalisation you choose. 

Many people opt for a burial because of the permanent location they'll have to visit their loved one. If this is the case for your family, you may also want to consider the memorialisation options available when opting for cremation.

A cremation gives you greater choice on where your loved ones final resting place is. There are many things to do with ashes after cremation, such as scattering them in a place where happy times were shared or interring the ashes.

Many of these options may also cost less than a headstone for a grave.

Additional costs of a burial funeral

In addition to the burial fees and memorial costs, there are also additional charges for grave digging, the actual interment and the upkeep of the plot. The time of the day you’d like to hold the funeral can also influence the cost.

These extra costs will not be applicable for a cremation.

Save on funeral costs by choosing a cremation

Whether opting for a burial or cremation, the overall cost of the funeral will be determined by who arranges it; whether you arrange the funeral service yourself, or if you wish for a funeral director to arrange it for you.

Using the services of a funeral director will ultimately mean higher costs. Funeral directors put many hours into providing the service you ask for, and therefore make up a large percentage of funeral costs.

If funeral costs are a concern, arranging a funeral without a funeral director will allow you to arrange a cheaper cremation.

At Simplicity, our funerals are arranged without the services of a funeral director. All of our funerals are arranged over the telephone, with the help of our expert team of funeral arrangers.

Our low-cost cremation allows you to arrange a respectful funeral for your loved one that suits your needs and budget, starting from £1,399.

Unlike many other funeral providers, our prices remain the same regardless of where you live in mainland Great Britain.

Learn more about a low-cost funeral plan from Simplicity Cremations or contact us for more information.

*SunLife (2026), Cost of Dying Report - https://www.sunlife.co.uk/over-50-life-insurance/funeral-costs/