×
Plan Now, Pay LaterSecure your plan today, don't pay until 9 January 2026. T&Cs apply, click here for details.
Two Together: Save £100!Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Written by Mitch Tapner.
18 minute read
Planning a funeral may feel overwhelming – especially when costs start to add up. But a meaningful goodbye doesn’t have to be expensive. More and more people are choosing cost-effective funerals that focus on what truly matters: a respectful farewell, handled with care.
Whether you’re planning ahead or arranging a funeral for someone you’ve lost, this guide explores simple, affordable options that offer clarity, comfort, and peace of mind.
Cost-effective funerals offer a thoughtful, respectful way to say goodbye – without the high price of a traditional service. They focus on the essentials, like legal paperwork, transport, and cremation or burial, but leave out additional options like venues, processions, and decorative details.
While some traditional funerals involve long services, limousines, and ornate coffins, simpler choices like direct cremation—whether attended or unattended—offer a more modest approach. The result is still a respectful farewell, just without the added financial weight. These services aren’t about cutting corners; they’re about focusing on what matters, in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.
They can be especially helpful for families working to a tight timescale, people planning ahead, or anyone looking for a more straightforward, no-fuss approach.
For many, expenses are the main reason to consider a low-cost funeral. With UK funeral costs rising to over £4,000, a simpler option can feel not just appealing, but necessary.
But it’s not only about money. More families are choosing smaller, more personal goodbyes because they feel more true to the person. The idea that a “proper” funeral must be grand or expensive is changing. People want something that reflects the person, not just tradition.
There’s also a desire to reduce pressure. Organising a large event during a time of grief can feel overwhelming. Low-cost options, like direct cremation, give families time and space to focus on what feels right for them.
Cremation is usually the more affordable choice. It avoids many of the ongoing costs associated with burial, such as purchasing a grave, installing a headstone, and covering long-term maintenance. With fewer logistical steps and simpler arrangements, it can ease both financial and emotional pressure.
Beyond cost, cremation offers other practical and emotional benefits:
No cemetery or maintenance fees: With burial, families often face additional costs beyond the funeral itself. These can include buying a grave plot, headstone installation, and long-term upkeep fees charged by the cemetery. These fees cover lawn care, pathway maintenance, security, and general upkeep of the burial grounds. Cremation avoids these costs entirely, especially when ashes are kept at home, scattered, or placed somewhere meaningful without a formal plot.
With direct cremation, no need to plan a funeral, memorial or celebration of life service straight away
Flexibility to hold a memorial or gathering later, in a time and place that feels right
Often quicker to arrange, which can bring relief during difficult times
That said, burial is still the preferred choice for many families, particularly when it holds religious, cultural, or personal significance. A burial can provide a dedicated place to visit, and for some, the act of laying someone to rest in the earth carries deep meaning.
If burial feels right for you or your family, there are still ways to manage the cost. Choosing a simpler coffin, avoiding embalming, or holding the service at home or a local community space can reduce expenses. Some families also consider woodland or natural burials, which can be both environmentally friendly and more cost-effective than traditional options.
If cremation feels right for you, the next step is choosing between a service at the crematorium and a direct cremation. If you are concerned about how much a funeral costs, a direct cremation can keep things simpler and more affordable, while giving you the flexibility to hold a memorial or celebration of life later in a time and place that suits you.
This type of funeral has become more common in recent years. It involves a cremation with no service or attendees, making it simpler and more affordable to arrange. The ashes are either returned to the family or scattered by the provider.
While some may consider direct cremation to be cold or too stripped back, for many it’s a heartfelt choice that allows them to say goodbye in their own way.
Low-cost funeral packages tend to cover the essentials: collection of the person who has died, a simple coffin, cremation or burial, and all legal paperwork.
Aura can help you arrange a low cost cremation, clearly outlining what’s included, so families know exactly what to expect.
Typical inclusions:
Optional additions like flowers, music, or printed materials can often be added, depending on what feels right for you.
It’s perfectly okay to talk about pricing with a provider. Many people assume funeral costs are fixed, but there’s often flexibility, especially when you’re clear about what matters most.
To help keep costs down:
Aura’s fixed-price funerals clearly outline what is included, giving families confidence from the beginning.
Price matters, but so does trust. When comparing providers, look for transparency, good communication, and flexibility.
Questions to consider:
Online providers have made it simpler, and often more affordable, to plan a funeral. Without the overheads of a high-street office, they can offer lower costs, and often have faster systems for arranging details and paperwork.
Why many families choose to arrange everything online:
Lower fixed prices with no hidden extras for buildings or venues
Support over the phone or online, wherever you are in the UK
Instant access to documents, quotes, and updates
Efficient and simple arrangements, usually within a few days
That said, some prefer to work with a local funeral director for the familiarity and face-to-face support. The right choice depends on what feels best for your family.
If someone dies without money or next-of-kin to arrange a funeral, the local council will organise what’s known as a public health funeral. These are basic services, usually a direct cremation or burial, with no ceremony or personalisation.
They typically include:
While limited, these services ensure that everyone receives a respectful farewell.
The government can also provide help with funeral expenses. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you may be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment if you’re receiving certain income-related benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance. In Scotland, support is available through the Funeral Support Payment, which is administered by Social Security Scotland and helps with necessary funeral costs for those on qualifying benefits.
You might also be able to claim the Bereavement Support Payment. This isn’t just for funeral costs, but it can help ease the financial strain if you’ve lost a spouse or civil partner.
If you need any further details regarding bereavement support or want to know how to apply for a funeral grant, Aura will be able to steer you in the right direction.
Several UK charities help families facing funeral costs. Some offer grants for basic expenses, while others support specific needs like transport or care services.
Each organisation has its own process, but all aim to make funerals more accessible.
Well-known options include:
If you’re unsure where to begin, Aura can help signpost these services during the planning process.
| Unattended | Intimate | Fully Attended | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating from independent experts at Fairer Finance | |||
| Cremation fees included | |||
| Collection fees included. 24/7 within mainland Britain | |||
| Oversized/bariatric coffin | |||
| Return of ashes or scattered in the garden of remembrance | |||
| Removal of standard medical items (e.g. pacemaker) | |||
| Choice of crematorium | |||
| Attended Service | 10-minute attended service for 15 people | 40-minute service for unlimited people (up to the maximum capacity of the crematorium). |
*Full details of inclusions, exclusions, and cancellation rights are set out in each plan summary.
A beautiful goodbye doesn’t need to be costly. Some of the most personal tributes take place at home or in familiar, relaxed spaces.
Simple memorial ideas include:
When money is tight, heartfelt gestures often mean the most.
Simple coffins, like those made from cardboard or pine, are respectful and can be far more affordable than traditional models. Urns can be plain or handmade, and still deeply personal.
Small keepsakes can be personal and easy to keep close—a framed photo, a memory stone, or fingerprint jewellery. They don’t need to cost much; it’s the closeness and meaning they bring that matters most.
More people in the UK are choosing funerals that feel true to the person who has died, rather than following traditional expectations. This might mean skipping a formal service, wearing bright colours, or holding a gathering in a garden or pub.
The question people ask more often now is: What would they have wanted? And the answers vary. That shift makes flexible, lower-cost options feel not just practical, but right.
Choosing a low-cost funeral doesn’t mean giving up meaningful traditions. With open communication, most religious and cultural customs can be honoured within a simpler framework.
Many funeral providers, including Aura, work closely with spiritual leaders to find respectful solutions. Aura’s team has experience supporting families from many backgrounds and beliefs, helping them plan services that are both thoughtful and affordable.
Funeral costs in the UK have continued to rise over the past two decades. According to SunLife’s 2025 Cost of Dying Report, the average cost of a simple attended funeral is now around £4,285. With funeral inflation, rising energy costs, and staffing pressures pushing prices higher, many families are turning to simpler alternatives like direct cremation or prepaid funeral plans to ease both the financial and emotional burden.
A pre-paid funeral plan allows people to make clear, affordable arrangements ahead of time. It locks in today’s prices, removes guesswork, and can provide peace of mind to those left behind.
Aura’s plans are flexible, protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and can be updated or cancelled at any time. Whether paid upfront or in instalments, they offer security at a time when it’s needed most.
*As with all prepaid plans, terms and conditions apply. Cancellation rights, fees, and any exclusions will be set out in your plan summary.
Pre-planning doesn’t take away grief. But it does ease the pressure, and that can make all the difference.
If you are looking for an impartial view on pre-paid funeral plans Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert has also given a financial breakdown of the costs involved.
At Aura, we understand how hard it can be to plan a funeral – especially when money is tight or decisions feel overwhelming. That’s why we focus on what matters most: simplicity, transparency, and compassion.
Whether you’re planning ahead with a funeral plan or arranging a direct cremation now, we offer straightforward options with clearly outlined costs, so families know what to expect. Our fixed-price services include everything you need for a respectful goodbye, from legal paperwork to care and cremation, so families know exactly what to expect.
We’re here to help you make informed choices – without pressure. If you’re unsure where to begin, need help applying for financial support, or want to talk through what’s possible within your budget, our friendly team is just a call or message away.
We believe that everyone deserves a meaningful farewell – whatever their circumstances. And we’re here to make that just a little easier.
A cost‑effective funeral focuses on the essential parts of a farewell — legal paperwork, transport, cremation or burial — without expensive extras like limousines, large venues, or elaborate floral arrangements. It offers a respectful, simple way to say goodbye without placing unnecessary financial strain on the family.
Many families are choosing affordable options because:
Funeral costs continue to rise across the UK.
People prefer simple, personal farewells over formal traditions.
A smaller service can ease emotional and financial pressure during grief.
Direct cremation allows for flexible memorials later on, in a way that feels right for the family.
Yes, cremation is typically more affordable because it avoids ongoing costs like grave purchase, headstone installation, and maintenance fees. Burial often involves extra expenses that can significantly increase the overall cost. Direct cremation, in particular, is one of the most cost‑effective options available in the UK.
Direct cremation is the simplest form of funeral. There’s no service at the crematorium, and usually no mourners present (though attended options exist). After the cremation, the ashes are either hand‑delivered to the family or scattered at the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance. It’s a respectful, affordable option for those who prefer a private or personal farewell.
Absolutely. Many families choose to separate the cremation from the farewell, holding a celebration of life or informal memorial later. This allows more time to plan a personal gathering that reflects the individual, rather than rushing into a formal service on the day of cremation.
No. A lower price doesn’t mean less care. At Aura, every funeral is handled with dignity and compassion. Choosing a simpler option simply means you’re focusing on what matters most, not skipping respect or ceremony.
Yes. You may be eligible for:
Funeral Expenses Payment (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Funeral Support Payment (Scotland)
Bereavement Support Payment for those who’ve lost a spouse or civil partner
Council‑funded public health funerals, if there are no funds or next of kin
Several charities also offer grants to help with basic funeral costs. Aura can help guide families through this process.
A public health funeral is organised by the local council when there’s no one able or willing to arrange or pay for a funeral. It usually involves a basic cremation or burial, with no service or personalisation. It guarantees a respectful, lawful farewell for everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.
Yes. A cost‑effective funeral doesn’t have to mean compromising on faith or tradition. Many customs can be honoured through thoughtful planning, even with a modest budget. Aura’s team regularly works with spiritual leaders to help families incorporate rituals into a simpler format.
At‑need funerals are arranged and paid for after someone has died.
Prepaid funeral plans let you plan and pay in advance, locking in today’s prices and sparing your family from financial pressure later.
Aura’s plans are fully flexible and protected, with the option to cancel or update at any time.
Yes. Many families choose to arrange a funeral online because:
Aura offers national coverage and support from its Aura Angels by phone, email or online message.
Small gestures can be deeply personal. Families often:
A heartfelt tribute doesn’t have to be expensive — it just needs to feel true to the person.