The Elephant in the Room

Home , Funeral director, Reading Old Cemetery

RISING FUNERAL COSTS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM The systemic and interrelated problems contributing to rising funeral costs responsible for funeral debt The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 In association with the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 1 CONTENTS

Executive Summary Page 4

National Funeral Costs: Above-inflation rises past, present, future Page 10

Local Differences: The postcode lottery remains Page 18

Funeral Spending: Tightening belts and shopping around Page 24

Funeral Debt: Average debt levels on the rise Page 28

Social Fund Funeral Payments: An increasingly flawed benefit at breaking point Page 32

Conclusions and Recommendations Page 38

Appendix: Find the cost of a funeral in your area Page 39

2 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• This year, the Royal London • Looking forward, many • In addition, there are signs the • The number of successful National Funeral Cost Index underlying systemic factors funeral industry is responding SFFP awards has fallen again confirms funeral costs continue suggest that, if left unresolved, to consumer demand with this year and although the to increase ahead of overall costs will continue to rise. more affordable solutions, average amount paid out inflation. In a year of record low These include pressure on local including more transparent increased by £28, this is some inflation for the UK, funeral authority funding, a shortage of and simple offerings including way short of the £140 average costs have increased by 3.9%, plots for burials, the continued ‘direct cremation’. increase in the cost of a funeral. compared to an annual inflation impact of mercury abatement* This means the gap between rate of 1.0%, as measured by regulation on crematoria and • For the first time this year’s the value of the payment and the Retail Price Index (RPI). the inflationary price effect of report includes data from the cost of a funeral continues the increasing number of private yourfuneralchoice.com, which to rise. This problem is • In 2015, the average cost crematoria. compares funeral directors’ compounded by the fact that of a funeral was £3,702, an costs within each locality. This claimants have to commit to increase of £140 on the 2014 • This year’s report also reveals tangible savings that a funeral package before they figure. The average cost of a provided some evidence of the can be achieved in most local know if they will qualify for a burial funeral is now £4,110 social pressures felt by those on areas, if people shop around. payment and what its value will (up from £3,962 in 2014) and low incomes to give their loved Differences between funeral be. Again this year, we call for the average cost of a cremation ones a ‘good send-off’. For directors can vary by amounts this benefit to be reformed. funeral is now £3,294 (up from example, our research indicates in excess of £1,000. Of course, £3,162 in 2014). that poorer consumers spend we understand that many • Other actions needed to just as much on coffins as bereaved people are in great address the systemic failures • This represents the continuation wealthier consumers. distress and do not feel up to of this sector include reforms of a long-term trend that has shopping around. to allow the appropriate re-use seen funeral costs rise ahead • Overall, however, the amount of abandoned burial plots of inflation over the long term. spent on items where there • Given these price increases, it and for England, Wales and Since 1980, the average annual is a discretionary element is perhaps not surprising that Northern Ireland to follow increase in funeral costs has actually fell this year. Spending the average level of funeral Scotland’s lead in removing been 6.1%, compared to an on limousine hire, venue hire debt among those that struggle the charge for doctors’ fees. average annual inflation rate and flowers all fell. Perhaps this has increased from £1,305 to of 4.0% (as measured by RPI). belt tightening was a necessary £1,318, and, while individual response to the increased debt is increasing, data costs for non-discretionary produced by the Department spend items, such as funeral for Work and Pensions (DWP) directors’ costs and burial suggests that the Social Fund and cremation fees? Funeral Payment (SFFP) (the state benefit designed to assist people who are struggling to pay for funeral costs) continues to * Environmental legislation requires that 50% of cremations in the UK are abated to filter out mercury and other pollutants. erode in value in real terms. Statutory guidance PG5/2(12) produced by DEFRA must be adhered to by crematoria.

4 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 5 INTRODUCTION

By Simon Cox However, our research reveals that the continued focus on this topic might be beginning to have Given this context, Royal London some impact: calls for:

Royal London commissioned Founded in 1861 to help people pay • The inflationary impact of • Scotland has led the way by • a full and fundamental review this year’s follow-up study for their funerals, this is a key focus new private crematoria on the removing doctors’ fees for the of the Social Fund Funeral to the Royal London National for Royal London as it continues consumer, directly through bereaved from May 2015, with Payment system. Funeral Cost Index Report to provide life insurance to people higher prices and indirectly by additional plans to look further 2014 to understand the year- today. For the first time, this report taking footfall and revenue from at this aspect of the benefits • policymakers in England, Wales on-year changes in funeral brings together insights from three existing local authority crematoria. system north of the border. and Northern Ireland to follow costs faced by consumers in the major pieces of research/data sources, Furthermore, it looks like we are Scotland’s lead and do away with UK. We wanted to shed light on and perspectives from a wide range set for a record number of new- • Consumers appear to be ‘cash for ash’ doctors’ fees. the many interrelated systemic of stakeholders. The report has build crematoria in the coming tightening their belt and issues, which contribute to ideas on how to tackle this growing year with more than 20 going taking control by reducing • policymakers to look at the sustained above-inflation problem that affects the most through the planning process discretionary spend. underlying interrelated issues funeral costs that are directly disadvantaged in society, when at present. that are causing funeral cost rises attributable to funeral debt they are at their most vulnerable. • Some funeral directors are which affect and/or emanate from in the UK. • Understandable lack of shopping responding by introducing pressures on local authorities The findings in this report suggest around by consumers at their reduced-cost simple or direct and funeral directors. that the UK’s most vulnerable lowest ebb, and an industry funerals (reducing costs by bereaved are taking on increased where costs can be opaque. As reducing the level of service that • all concerned to work together levels of funeral debt. They also we have been able to identify for requires funeral director input). to find better outcomes for suggest that the problem is set to the first time this year, the reality bereaved UK citizens by increase significantly, if steps are not is a huge range in pricing, which • Pressure groups and media introducing a benefit system taken to address issues facing almost could potentially save consumers activity led by consumer groups, which is fast, simple, sympathetic, every element of today’s funeral. hundreds of pounds. charities and those with a keen valuable and economical (ring- interest in the subject (including fencing vulnerable claimants • At the macro level, the public • The state safety net, the Social Royal London) helped support and tax payers from unreasonable sector deficit and austerity Fund Funeral Payment, is an Emma Lewell-Buck MP in a costs, allowing them to grieve measures, including cuts to important benefit but the claims successful first reading of the in their own time). individual benefits and local process is flawed for those that Funeral Services Bill, introduced authority funding, applying use it and awards are increasingly in December 2014. • the facilitation of more pressure to the funeral sector. inadequate in value. sustainable and affordable • Natural and woodland burials locally provided services. • Many cemeteries are financially are on the rise, providing an unsustainable, a situation which alternative to traditional (and • a more transparent and innovative is compounded by a lack of burial often expensive) burials. funeral service provision from an plots and a reluctance to utilise industry that has an incredibly abandoned old graves. • Several local authorities have enviable customer service record. tendered funeral directors for the provision of a low cost Municipal Funeral Services where a price is guaranteed. The larger Simon Cox authorities continue to provide Consumer Protection Proposition public health funerals. Lead, Royal London Group

6 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 7 SUMMARY OF RESEARCH METHODS FINALLY

Contributions were sought from the following experts, stakeholders and practitioners:

This report is based on Royal London commissioned two Data has also been provided by • Nicki Hill Please note that since last year’s research from a variety surveys from YouGov’s online yourfuneralchoice.com. Their data Funeral Director/Owner, report we have retested some of sources and using the panel, drawing on two samples: is based on mystery shopping Bright-Hill Funerals reanalysis within the 2014 data. following methods: 2,000 nationally representative of funeral directors to gather This means that in a small number adults aged 18+ and 1,004 adults information and prices for a • Rosie Inman-Cook of instances the data quoted here aged 18+ who had organised comparable ‘simple funeral’ to Natural Death Centre may differ marginally from last a funeral in the last five years. include collection/care of the year’s report. deceased, a basic coffin, hearse, • Heather Kennedy Fieldwork for the YouGov and to manage a simple service Fair Funerals Campaign Manager surveys took place in the period at a crematorium. Prices based 11/06/2015 - 15/07/2015. on this research do not include • Tim Morris disbursements or minister/celebrant Chief Executive, ICCM surveyed 271 crematoria fees. This approach was used to Institute of Cemetery and in the UK to ascertain their costs gather data for each extended Crematorium Management for cremation. They also conducted postcode (i.e. RG1). If insufficient survey research to ascertain the information was available within • Mike Owen costs of burial at two cemeteries in the postcode (usually in rural areas Chief Executive, close proximity to the crematoria to where there would be no local National Association allow us to analyse the comparative ‘in-postcode’ funeral director) the of Funeral Directors costs of cremations and burials. search was expanded up to 8 miles from the postcode centre. • Andy Paling Fieldwork for ICCM took place Managing Director, between June and August 2015. GreenAcres Group

• Alan Slater MBE former Chief Executive, National Association of Funeral Directors

• Nick Willcocks Chief Executive, yourfuneralchoice.com

8 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 9 NATIONAL FUNERAL COSTS: ABOVE-INFLATION RISES PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

Changes in funeral costs 2014-2015 “Cemeteries are unsustainable and local authorities are having The results of this year’s study reveal Although annual inflation (as to face the choice of whether that UK funeral costs increased measured by RPI) has only been or not to provide the service significantly above inflation. In a 1.0%, the cost of a UK funeral in future, and perhaps simply year when there were economic actually increased by 3.9% between maintain existing cemeteries, concerns about deflation and price 2014 and 2015. The average cost rather than providing new ones decreases, overall UK inflation hit of a funeral in 2015 is now £3,702, at considerable cost. Of course, record lows. compared to £3,562 in 2014. cemeteries could become sustainable if the reuse of graves became a lawful option across the UK. To quote House of Commons Chart 1: Funeral Cost Changes 2014 to 2015 As Chart 1 illustrates, costs for Select Committee Inquiry – Changing costs yr on yr in £s burials and cremations have both Cemeteries report of 2000 ‘If increased. On average, a funeral in 2015 is £140 more expensive than the public are to continue to have 2014 2015 £ Change access to affordable, accessible 2014 2015 £ Change in 2014. Cremation costs have risen burial in cemeteries fit for the more rapidly than burial costs in the last year. The average cost of needs of the bereaved, there £5,000 appears to be no alternative £5,000 a cremation has increased by 4.2% to £3,294, while the average cost to grave reuse.’” £4,000 £4,000 of a burial has increased by 3.7% to £4,110. Tim Morris, Chief Executive, ICCM £3,000 £3,000 £2,000 £2,000 £1,000 £1,000 0 0 Burial Cremation Overall Burial Cremation Overall

Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys.

10 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 11 Chart 2 illustrates the key Chart 2: Changes in composition of funeral expenses Long-term trends in funeral cost inflation component elements of funeral Changing costs year on year in 2014–2015 costs for both burials and This year’s cost increase represents cremations in 2014 and 2015. £5,000 a continuing trend for high levels of funeral cost inflation.

£4,000 Chart 3: Examples of long term inflation rates Chart 3 provides examples of Annual inflation rates (1980–2015) inflation rates for a range of items £3,000 Funeral director’s cost since 1980. It shows that over the 8 period annual funeral cost inflation Burial/Cremation fee Pint of milk 7 has been significantly higher than Doctor’s fee overall inflation as measured by the £2,000 6 Loaf of bread Minister’s fee Retail Price Index (RPI). Funeral Ination (RPI) 5 inflation would outstrip the now £1,000 4 moreLitre commonly of Petrol used Consumer 3 PriceFuneral Index (CPI) by an even greater 2 extent. The chart also shows that 0 annualHouse funeral cost inflation

2014 2015 2014 2015 % rate Annual ination 1 outstripsPint ofinflation beer for a range of Burial Cremation 0 everyday items like milk, bread and £5,000 petrol. Indeed funeral cost inflation Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys. is similar to house price inflation,

£4,000 Note that, in 2015, doctors’ fees do not apply for cremations in Scotland Source: Oddfellows/Trajectory (RPI) which is widely regarded as problematic, a result of chronic 8 Funeral director’s cost Pint of milk supply shortages that results in £3,000 7 Loaf of bread Burial/Cremation fee 6 people being priced out of the 5 Ination (RPI) Doctor’s fee market. As we will see later in this £2,000 4 Litre of Petrol Minister’s fee 3 Funeral report, though a different market, 2 House funerals suffer from similar

Annual ination rate % rate Annual ination 1 £1,000 0 Pint of beer characteristics and pressures.

0 2014 2015 2014 2015 Burial Cremation

12 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 13 Funeral Directors’ Costs Cremation Fees

“The cuts in central government Looking forward, it seems that As illustrated in Chart 2, funeral Local authority crematoria in the UK – For example, in Hampshire, “There is a problem with new funding to local authorities are the pressures leading to above- directors’ costs constitute by far the are under pressure to increase fees Portchester crematorium crematoria being built close to now biting hard. We have never inflation increases in funeral costs biggest component of the cost of for a number of reasons, including: carried out 4,248 cremations existing ones, rather than in areas seen it like this before. Staff are set to continue. The factors a funeral. In 2015, they accounted in 2013. In December 2013, without them. This is a problem levels have been reduced by driving cost increases have been for 71% of the cost of a cremation • Further planned cuts to local a new crematorium opened because they don’t generate many authorities whilst those identified by the range of experts and 57% of the costs of a burial. authority funding from central locally, in Havant, which any new business. They often that remain struggle to maintain that have contributed to this Furthermore, between 2014 and government over this parliament. carried out 974 cremations take business off of the existing service standards.” report. On the right, we take 2015 funeral directors’ costs increased In the general climate of cuts, in 2014. Portchester public sector crematorium. some of the key costs in turn. by 5%. crematoria represent a rare crematorium numbers So competition is not reducing Tim Morris, Chief Executive, ICCM opportunity for local authorities dropped to 3,356 in 2014 fees, it’s increasing them because From this, and previous years’ to increase revenue. (resulting in a loss of revenue the public sector crematorium above-inflation increases, it appears of over £350,000). In future, has to run its operation, but with that funeral directors’ costs will • The impact of significant the number of cremations fewer cremations. Recently, continue to increase in future. investment required to upgrade conducted at Portchester is a dramatic and unprecedented However, we should point out that crematoria resulting from EU likely to drop further. rise in the number of planning there is a great variation in the environmental legislation for applications for new crematoria fees charged by individual funeral mercury abatement are still However, in an interesting new has been recorded. At present directors. New data for this year’s being felt. development, the Localism Act 2011 four new builds are underway report, presented on page 26, shows now permits local authorities to trade and 25 proposed sites are in that even funeral directors operating • Crematoria are under pressure to raise revenue. For example, North the planning process. This will in the same area charge very to compensate for the losses Lincolnshire Council has started inevitably reduce numbers of differently. So it is not possible to sustained by maintaining full selling headstones directly to the cremations being carried out talk of a single approach to pricing or nearly full cemeteries (also public and is reportedly considering at other crematoria.” within the sector. However, the see below). a funeral directing service. This aggregate result of these individual development, if it becomes more Tim Morris, Chief Executive, ICCM pricing decisions has resulted in • Perhaps counter intuitively, the widespread, could be a mechanism above-inflation costs in recent years. increase in the number of new for reducing costs in future. private crematoria is currently serving to increase costs. Firstly, private crematoria tend to be more expensive (c.10%) than local authority crematoria. Secondly, they put further pressure on adjacent local crematoria, reducing the number of services conducted, which in turn results in an increase in prices.

14 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 15 Burial Fees

“The Natural Death Centre charity Last year, our report called for a However, on a more positive note, “The growth in woodland/natural “Many natural burial grounds supports the reuse of graves. change in the regulations around this pressure does seem to be a burials has accelerated over have plot prices below £600. After all, for hundreds of years, burial, allowing for the reuse of catalyst for change and innovation recent years (and continues to Importantly, of the privately reuse of space was standard abandoned plots. This call has as there appears to be a significant do so) as the knowledge and operated grounds, approximately practice in churchyards before fallen on deaf ears. As a result, rise in woodland or natural burials. concern over environmental 50% do not charge multiple fees more permanent memorialisation local authorities are still facing the Natural burial has grown from considerations has come to to bury individuals from outside became the norm.” increased cost pressures because they nothing in 1993, when Ken West the fore and reflecting a desire their area. The Association have to maintain cemeteries that established the first burial ground that the life lost is celebrated of Natural Burial Grounds Rosie Inman-Cook, are full or nearly full. Of course, in Carlisle, to five sites at the turn appropriately for that individual. has dozens of monitored sites The Natural Death Centre such cemeteries generate no or little of the millennium. across the UK where this more revenue for the authority. This “For more and more individuals affordable option prevails. creates the knock-on effect, where Today, according to Andy Paling a short slot in a semi-industrial crematoria are expected to offset of GreenAcres Group, there are in conveyor belt process of a “Knowledge of this affordable, these costs, mentioned above. This excess of 270 operating woodland crematorium is not the send-off green option is not often is, of course, dependent on a local and natural burial grounds, which they want for their loved one and presented to urban families by authority owning and operating a is approximately the same number the churchyard is not an option undertakers as they may not crematorium – many don’t. Again as cremation sites in the UK. Five for many, as the population want to commit their men and we would ask the government to years ago woodland and natural becomes increasingly secular. vehicles to a long run out of town. reconsider the use of abandoned plots burial accounted for only 3% of Distressingly for many, this leads to ease these pressures. burials. This has risen to 8% as the “Increasing availability has them to choose cremation for availability of woodland/natural seen woodland/natural burial financial reasons when burial burial sites has increased. becoming a ‘normalised’ choice would have been preferred. for the bereaved; in the same way hearses are now routinely “Increasingly direct funerals, replaced by lorries, campervans both cremation and burial, are and motorcycles – to fit the being sought. A nationwide direct desires of the bereaved and the burial service has now been consumer desire for this greener established, charging between and more personal goodbye.” £1,600 and £1,800. This includes the services of a funeral Andy Paling, Managing Director, director and burial at a natural GreenAcres Group burial ground.”

Rosie Inman-Cook, The Natural Death Centre

16 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 17 LOCAL DIFFERENCES: THE POSTCODE LOTTERY REMAINS

“Whilst reuse legislation Data gathered for this report by When we look at costs on a local, “Hackney and Tower Hamlets is available to London local YouGov and directly from the rather than regional, level the councils have both exhausted authorities, it is not being widely crematorium and cemetery operators, extreme cost differences around all new burial space with their used due to its inadequacy. reveals the cost of a funeral continues the UK are apparent. residents that prefer burial, A number of London authorities to be a postcode lottery. Basic funeral having to use neighbouring have turned to Church of England charges ranged from a low of £2976 Looking further down the rankings, facilities where non-residents law to enable the reuse of graves, (for a cremation in Greenock) to the West Midlands emerges as the fees are applied.” as this route permits the reuse of £7,216 (for a burial in Beckenham, next most expensive region after old public graves that are usually Kent) – a difference of £4,240. London for a funeral. By contrast, Tim Morris, Chief Executive, ICCM situated in less prominent parts the affluent South East region is of cemeteries, and hence risk of This suggests regional disparities mid-ranked for funeral costs. This impact on heritage and existing are widening. One notable exception almost certainly reflects the relatively historic cemetery landscapes to this is Wales, one of the lower high degree of urbanisation and is much reduced. The government cost areas, but a nation that saw the population densities in these areas. needs to act to provide modern, greatest percentage increase (5.2%) fit-for-purpose reuse legislation in costs between 2014 and 2015. for England and Wales. The Scottish Government has Scotland shows one of the lowest consulted on reform of legislation rises in costs, and this can be largely with a new Act expected early attributed to the removal of doctors’ next year.” fees in May 2015, slicing £164 off the cost of a funeral in one fell Tim Morris, Chief Executive, ICCM swoop. This move is to be welcomed, and we call for policymakers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to follow suit.

18 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 19 Table 1 illustrates the 10 most Table 1: Most expensive locations for funerals Table 3: Biggest % change year on year 2014 – 2015 This year we have also been able to expensive locations for a funeral in identify the local areas which have the UK. It is interesting to note the LOCATION Burial Cremation Average LOCATION £ change % change seen the biggest changes in funeral most expensive locations are in or Beckenham £7, 216 £3,529 £5,372 Lytham St. Annes £298 10% costs. Table 3 identifies the 10 immediately around London, and are locations with biggest rise in funeral Southgate £6,947 £3,374 £5,161 Norwich Central £351 9% for burials rather than cremations. costs in 2015. London has a particular problem Wandsworth £6,936 £3,216 £5,076 Bournemouth £297 9% with a shortage of burial plots. Enfield £6,655 £3,359 £5,007 Aberdare £279 9% Bearing in mind the average Woking £6,165 £3,419 £4,792 Gwent £281 9% increase for a UK funeral was a 3.9% rise in costs, we can see that Tooting £6,215 £3,172 £4,693 Basildon £288 8% seven of the top ten have seen Leatherhead £5,771 £3,529 £4,650 Chesterfield £265 8% funeral cost increases of 8% or more, Golders Green £5,685 £3,284 £4,484 Lichfield £258 7% over twice the national average. Aldershot £5,528 £3,426 £4,477 Bangor £233 7% Barnet £5,685 £3,219 £4,452 Semington £246 7%

Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys. Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys.

The cheapest locations for a funeral Table 2: Cheapest locations for funerals in the UK are listed in table 2. Given the most expensive places LOCATION Burial Cremation Average for a funeral are London locations, perhaps it’s not surprising to see Belfast £3,027 £2,989 £3,008 Northern Ireland and Scotland on Amersham £3,040 £3,164 £3,102 this list. However, just to emphasise Yeovil £3,115 £3,189 £3,152 the true postcode lottery of funeral Alford £3,147 £3,179 £3,163 costs, we also see representation from southern counties of England in the Bridgwater £3,145 £3,264 £3,204 form of Amersham. This creates Kirkleatham £3,120 £3,294 £3,207 the prospect of families living only Falkirk £3,355 £3,065 £3,210 a few miles apart facing drastically Paisley £3,359 £3,065 £3,212 different costs for a funeral. Greenock £3,448 £2,976 £3,212 Glasgow West £3,359 £3,085 £3,222

Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys.

20 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 21 Non-residents’ fees – a problem which accentuates burial shortages

Although it currently only affects Typically, local authorities impose Table 4: Top 5 Non-residents’ Fees Table 4 shows the five most a small proportion of funerals, higher costs on non-residents than expensive locations for non-residents. non-residents’ fees contribute residents, and historically, non- LOCALITY Cost for non-resident’s burial All five are drawn from either to high funeral costs. residents were charged an additional London or the West Midlands – £11,14 8 fee by some authorities as they had Lewisham two regions with the most expensive Non-residency fees apply when not contributed to the maintenance Beckenham £10,465 funeral costs overall. people wish to be buried of local cemeteries by way of local Eltham £10,230 somewhere other than where they taxation. In recent years, some Wolverhampton £8,349 lived; it can also apply when people authorities have introduced Southwark £7,731 who want a burial have no local non-resident fees as a way of choice, for example, because local preserving space for residents. plots are full or scarce. Fees tend Some have gone further and only Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys. to rise as space becomes short, permit burials of residents. with doubling or trebling of costs, and serve to remind us that the If the fundamental issues about underlying problem is a shortage burial plot shortage in some of burial space. locations is not addressed, we predict increasingly more people will have to pay non-residents’ fees in future.

22 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 23 FUNERAL SPENDING: TIGHTENING BELTS AND SHOPPING AROUND

“The NAFD (National Association As highlighted in Local However, the amount spent on of Funeral Directors) is at the Differences, average UK funeral some discretionary funeral costs forefront of change, supporting costs rose by 3.9% in the last year. have fallen, such as flowers, funeral directors in meeting the However, this overall figure masks limousines and venue hire for a needs of bereaved families and some interesting changes in the cost wake. This suggests that consumers ensuring they operate to the of a funeral’s component parts. are tightening their belts, and highest standards. As Chart 2 illustrated earlier, there taking more control, perhaps were significant increases in most in response to higher costs for “As this report identifies, like of the non-discretionary spend non-discretionary items. any consumer service, funeral items such as funeral directors’ firms sets their prices according costs and burial or cremation fees. to the services offered and local Other non-discretionary items such competition, meaning families have as ministers’ and doctors’ fees also access to choice. Our members increased by a smaller amount. are required to provide clear price lists and written estimates, however price is not the only Chart 4: Changes in disaggregated funeral costs 2014-2015 As Chart 4 illustrates, most striking consideration. We advise people is the significant fall in the amount to choose a firm which also abides £ people spent on a coffin. In 2015, the average amount spent on a coffin by a stringent Code of Practice 120 like ours – ensuring they will be dropped to £989 compared to properly cared for. 100 £1,108 in 2014. It is no secret the 80 wholesale cost of manufacturing “Funeral directors are both a coffin is much cheaper than the 60 £ a community service and retail pricesBurial charged. fee (resident) Similar to 40 120 other sectors, such as the furniture commercial enterprise, balancing 100 caring for bereaved families with 20 80 market,Funeral this discrepancy Director is an costs 60 the challenges of running a cost opportunityBurial fee (resident)for entrepreneurial 0 40 Cremation fee retailersFuneral and Director new costsindependent and labour-intensive business. £ -20 20 In our experience, NAFD funeral 0 funeralCremation directors fee (for example 120 -20 Minister's fee -40 Minister's fee directors always prioritise the 100 -40 comparethecoffin.com) to enter the 80 -60 -60 marketDoctor's Doctor'sand feesell direct fee with prices needs of families and adapt 60 -80 Burial fee (resident) Con (included in Funeral Director cost) services to meet any constraints. 40 -80 -100 from as low as £150-£250. Funeral Director costs OrderCon sheets (included in Funeral Director cost) It is not in their interests to sell £ 20 -120 -1000 Cremation fee Obituary someone a funeral they can’t 120 -20 Order sheets 100 Minister's fee Funeral Notice afford as it would risk them being -40-120 80 -60 Doctor's fee Flowers left with unpaid debts.” 60 -80 Obituary Burial fee (resident) Con (included in Funeral Director cost) Venue Hire 40 -100 20 -120 Funeral Director costs Order sheets CateringFuneral Notice Mike Owen, Chief Executive, 0 Cremation fee Obituary Additional Limo hire -20 National Association of Minister's fee Funeral Notice -40 MemorialFlowers Funeral Directors -60 Doctor's fee Flowers -80 Con (included in Funeral Director cost) Venue Hire Venue Hire -100 Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys. -120 Order sheets Catering Obituary Additional Limo hire Catering Funeral Notice Memorial 24 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 25 Flowers Additional Limo hire Venue Hire Memorial Catering Additional Limo hire Memorial Funeral Director costs – significant savings to be made by shopping around

This year, this report presents data (yourfuneralchoice.com can provide “When I lost my parents, there “The funeral profession has “With over 3200 funeral gathered by yourfuneralchoice.com, costs for a comparable basket of wasn’t an obvious option given changed hugely in recent director prices listed on our an online service which assesses the funeral services that include funeral to us by the funeral director for years. The creation of the website, the story throughout costs charged by different funeral director’s costs, a hearse and coffin.) a more low cost funeral. We just NAFD’s national Diploma the country is the same: a vast directors in the same area. thought we had to take what programme has raised skills discrepancy on funeral director was offered at the time. I started levels and a toughening up fees, for essentially the same Bright-Hill Funerals to fill this of the Association’s Code of service, and there is a lack of Table 5: The 10 places with the biggest difference of funeral director costs much needed gap, catering for Practice and introduction of the transparency in pricing. Table 5 illustrates how much families that do not necessarily independent Funeral Arbitration can be saved by customers if they want all the bells and whistles. Scheme has ensured that the “Addressing this issue by mystery shop around in their local area. LOCALITY HIGHEST LOWEST DIFFERENCE We offer a basic funeral package profession offers the highest shopping funeral directors Royal London survey data shows Wrexham £3,157 £990 £2,167 and have recently signed the Fair possible standards of care. and publishing prices allows local funeral director costs rose Inverness £3,000 £1,029 £1,971 Funerals pledge, which hopefully individuals to shop around quietly by almost 5% in 2015, but more funeral directors will get “However it is still possible for at home without feeling that they Havant £3,122 £1,295 £1,827 yourfuneralchoice.com shows on board with. I think the trend anyone to set up a funeral home, are being disrespectful to their on average the most expensive Glasgow South £2,842 £1,032 £1,810 is now changing and people are operated by often well-meaning loved one. The information is free UK funeral director charges Glasgow East £2,842 £1,032 £1,810 shopping around and not taking individuals who have absolutely to view, and people do not need £2,238 and the cheapest South Lanarkshire £2,842 £1,032 £1,810 the first price offered to them.” no experience or qualifications to register any details. Searches £1,510 – a staggering £727 and have not signed up to any are confidential, and ensure that Cardiff £2,824 £1,030 £1,794 price difference. Nikki Hill, Bright-Hill Funerals, kind of standards. I would like to people requiring a funeral will find Burton on Trent £2,745 £990 £1,755 Isle of Wight see the profession work closely a sensibly priced funeral director Coventry £2,815 £1,105 £1,710 together with government to near to them.” Cambridge £2,635 £960 £1,675 ensure that, in future, anyone offering funeral services is Nick Willcocks, Chief Executive, Source: yourfuneralchoice.com required to meet the same high yourfuneralchoice.com operational standards that the NAFD demands of its members.” As this data illustrates, costs can vary Is it time that funeral directors in the region of £2,000. However, changed their approach to pricing, Alan Slater MBE, former Chief this is a time when many people feel charging for professional time Executive, National Association great distress and do not feel able to rather than relying on mark-up on of Funeral Directors shop around. services that they procure on behalf of the bereaved? We understand that funeral directing is both a vocational career and a commercial enterprise. Many funeral directors also have extremely high customer service satisfaction ratings.

26 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 27 FUNERAL DEBT: AVERAGE DEBT LEVELS ON THE RISE

“There is more the funeral This year’s increase in funeral costs This year, as in 2014, dipping into industry can and should do to help coincides with a rise in personal debt savings was the most common people access more affordable among customers who struggled to method for paying off funeral debt. options, like putting prices on their meet the cost of a funeral. The Going into debt and paying the website. Funerals directors should average debt taken on by customers funeral director over time were two talk more openly about what things who struggled to pay was £1,305 other responses that were more really cost and name the elephant in 2014. It has risen slightly during common this year. in the room – that funerals are very 2015 to £1,318. expensive, especially if you’re on a low income. This is one of the three As we highlighted in last year’s We suspect part of the reason people things we ask of funeral directors report, the problem of funeral debt incur debt while organising and in our Fair Funerals pledge, which is very real. Chart 5 highlights paying for a funeral is the social has now been signed by almost the methods people use to repay pressure to give their loved one 10% of the entire funeral industry. funeral debts. ‘a good send-off’.

“We can find it very difficult to speak openly about money when Chart 5: Method of paying off debts incured by paying for a funeral Last year’s study revealed how little income affects average funeral spend. we’re organising a funeral. This is % 2014 2015 because of social pressures but % 2014 2015 People on annual incomes of less than £5,000 spend almost as much also because we see the funeral as 40 the last thing we do for someone on a funeral as people with annual we love, and ‘a good send-off’ is 35 incomes of £50,000 or more. still seen as an expensive one. Our 30 society needs to challenge this idea 25 head on – it’s the thought and care 20 that people remember about 20 a funeral, not lavish expense.” 15 10 10 Heather Kennedy, 5

Campaign Manager, Fair Funerals 5 Borrowed from 0 Own savings family & friends Went into debt over time Paid the cost Cheaper funeral Sold posessions Other Borrowed from % 2014 2015 Own savings family & friends Went into debt over time Cheaper funeral 0 Paid the cost Sold posessions Other 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5

Borrowed from 0 Own savings family & friends Went into debt over time Paid the cost Cheaper funeral Sold posessions Other

Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys.

28 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 29 “When we bought mum and dad’s Of course, to some extent, this As highlighted, coffins can range Perhaps this is more surprising Firstly, the disparity between coffins we spent a fortune, not that pattern of spending reflects the in price from £250 to several given the attitudinal data people’s feelings on their own funeral we begrudged, it but in hindsight fixed nature of many of the thousand pounds. However, presented in Chart 7. It clearly compared to what they feel they this would not have been what they non-discretionary funeral costs. as Chart 6 illustrates, poorer shows that, when it comes to their should do for their nearest and wanted as it was an unnecessary People who are less well-off do consumers spend just as much on own funeral, most people would dearest. Many people don’t want an expense. So when I started not receive cheaper cremation or coffins as wealthier consumers. prefer a low-cost and ‘no frills’ expensive funeral for themselves, but Bright-Hill my first thing was to burial charges than more affluent approach. Over a third would like feel the need to ‘do the right thing’ address the cost of the coffins. ones. However, data from this This pattern of discretionary funeral their families to spend ‘as little as and spend more for others. We do a package price, the coffin year’s research evidences that these spend among less affluent customers possible’ and ‘save the money for is sold within that package to the non-discretionary items are only lends weight to the hypothesis that another purpose’. In contrast, only Secondly, it suggests that it’s consumer at the price I buy it for part of the story. social pressure (real or perceived) 3% want to have ‘a good send-off important for people to make their from the manufacturer. I add in the to give a loved one ‘a good send-off’ with all the frills’. These preferences wishes clear to those around them cost of the crematorium, minister/ can lead people to incur funeral debt. highlight two things. regarding the kind of send-off they celebrant, doctor’s fees, bearer would like. When analysed together, fees and vehicle expenses, plus the our data sources suggest many people blanket charge for my services. Chart 6: Average spend on coffins by income receive a more elaborate send-off They are only paying for what under £5,000 than they might personally choose. they want and need.” £2000 £5,000 to £9,999

Nikki Hill, Bright-Hill Funerals, £10,000Chart to £14,999 7: People’s preferences for their own funeral Isle of Wight £15,000 to £19,999 £20,000 %to £24,999 £1500 40 £25,000 to £29,999 Would rather not say 35 Annual household income £30,000 to £34,999 I want a good send-o with all the frills 30 under £5,000 £35,000 to £39,999 % Don’t know £2000 £5,000 to £9,999 25 40 £1000 Would rather not say £10,000 to £14,999 £40,000 to £44,999 35 20 OtherI want a good send-o with all the frills £15,000 to £19,999 30 25 Don’t know £20,000 to £24,999 £45,000 to £49,999 £1500 15 20 IOther would rather leave it to my family to decide £25,000 to £29,999 15 I would rather leave it to my family to decide £30,000 to £34,999 £50,00010 to £59,999 10 II don’tdon’t care just care put me justin a box put me in a box £35,000 to £39,999 5 £1000 5 I’d like a standard/typical funeral £40,000 to £44,999 £500 £60,000 to £69,999 0 I’dI want like my family a standard/typicalto spend as little as possible... funeral £45,000 to £49,999 0 £50,000 to £59,999 £70,000 to £99,999 I want my family to spend as little as possible... £500 £60,000 to £69,999 Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys. £70,000 to £99,999 £100,000 to £149,999 £100,000 to £149,999 £150,000 and over £150,000 and over £0 £0

Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys. Note that the number of respondents in some income bands is low, so these results can only be seen as giving an indication of the average spend for each income band

30 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 31 SOCIAL FUND FUNERAL PAYMENTS: AN INCREASINGLY FLAWED BENEFIT AT BREAKING POINT

“The Social Fund Funeral Payment The Social Fund Funeral Payment The number of SFFP applications was designed to cover the cost of (SFFP) is the UK’s state benefit has reduced significantly over the last a basic funeral for people on low designed to help those struggling couple of years, as shown in Chart 8. incomes, where there was no other with funeral debt. It pays for all The number of successful awards relative with the means to pay. ‘necessary’ costs – this is tightly dropped again in 2015 to 32,000 Over the past 12 years we’ve seen defined and includes items such as from 33,000 in 2014. This compares the fund erode further and further burial/cremation fees and doctor’s with 41,000 awards eight years ago to the point where even those who fees. SFFPs also provide a in 2007. are eligible will only receive enough contribution of up to £700 for to cover around 35% of the price ‘other costs’ – including funeral This continuous fall, against a of the basic funeral. The result is director’s costs and minister’s fees. backdrop of rising funeral costs, people are left struggling with very Most customers would consider is counter intuitive. However, it is substantial debts they often have both funeral director’s costs and understood that the Department for no way of clearing, often at the minister’s fees as ‘necessary’ with Work and Pensions have introduced worst time of their life. Bereaved the vast majority of funerals proactive steps to check applications people on low incomes have been organised and/or officiated by in an attempt to improve the speed overlooked by the government for these two professions. of the process, but it is not known too long. As the price of funerals at this stage why applications for rises further and further beyond Furthermore, the £700 figure for the benefit have dropped. what people can reasonably afford, ‘other costs’ has been capped since central government must set out a 2003 and represents a significant credible plan to help people on low erosion of this element of the benefit. incomes provide a dignified funeral If it had kept pace with UK inflation, when someone dies.” this figure would now stand at just under £1,000. Heather Kennedy, Campaign Manager, Fair Funerals

32 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 33 Chart 8: SFFP applications made and awards given Chart 9 illustrates just one example It is hard to see the logic of a system of the types of inequitable that can leave some people with such 80,000 outcomes that could result from different and significant shortfalls in 70,000 the current system. The chart terms of the contribution to overall 60,000 shows a cremation funeral service costs. Assuming the individual 50,000 in Yeovil that costs £2,469 and was eligible and had the same 40,000 a burial funeral service in South circumstances, this means the level 30,000 Shields that costs £2,689. As the of debt is directly attributable to the chart shows, the SFFP would 20,000 location, minister’s fees, funeral SFFP applications make a much more significant director’s costs, and the £700 10,000 contribution to the cost of the cap imposed. SFFP awards 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 more expensive burial, leaving this individual with a much smaller The current regulation may also be Source: Annual Reports by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Social Fund. shortfall in costs not covered by a growing problem for the DWP, the SFFP than the less expensive which is increasingly exposed to the funeral in Yeovil. This is because consequences of rising burial costs, The amount spent by UK The current SFFP system can the benefit does not meet all resulting from burial plot shortages. Government on SFFPs last year operate in a quite peculiar and funeral director costs and instead was £44.2m – lower than the inequitable way, being much less caps the contribution towards £45.1m it spent in 2007. If this generous to some people than their fees at £700. figure had kept pace with inflation others. It is increasingly flawed (let alone funeral costs) spending and potentially unfair. would have been £55m in 2014. Chart 9: Chart showing potential inconsistent The logistics of the current system outcomes from current SFFP regulations In the last year, the average SFFP means funeral organisers must award has risen from £1,347 to commit to a set of funeral expenses £3,000 £1,375 – a rise of 2%. However, without knowing what, if any, Additional costs not covered by SFFP given the fact funeral cost inflation award they will receive. This £2,500 is running at 3.9%, the gap obviously creates the risk of some Additional costs covered by SFFP £2,000 between the average SFFP award people committing to paying for and the retail cost of a funeral has funerals they can’t afford on the £1,500 Cremation/burial fee (covered by SFFP) widened in real terms. This year, basis of misplaced assumptions the average award increased by about the value of a benefit they £1,000 £3,000 Additional costs not covered by SFFP just £28, while the average cost may be awarded in the future. £2,500 £500 Additional costs covered by SFFP of a funeral increased by £140. £2,000 £0 £1,500 Cremation/burial fee (covered by SFFP) The £700 capped contribution Cremation in Yeovil£1,000 Burial in South Shields intended to help meet funeral £500 £0 director’s and minister’s costs Source: Royal London National Funeral Cost Index surveys. Cremation in Yeovil Burial in South Shields clearly suggests that this gap will continue to grow.

34 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 35 “It’s worrying to see that funeral Evidence suggests the SFFP benefit In the future, as we see a sustained “The National Association of “Urgent reform is required to costs are continuing to rise, is in real decline, if not crisis. The rise in deaths per year, we predict Funeral Directors has consistently not only provide a more realistic and that families on modest real value of this award is eroding; we’ll also see higher levels of funeral campaigned for greater contribution, but also to allow incomes are finding it increasingly it is important yet increasingly debt. The amount of debt incurred transparency of government people to receive their unaffordable to give a decent inadequate and awarded to fewer by the bereaved will rise, as they data about the Social Fund payments faster.” send-off to their loved ones. This and fewer people. Furthermore, the fulfil their duty to send off loved Funeral Payment system and isn’t a problem that is going to go £700 cap on other costs means that ones as social pressure dictates. a comprehensive overhaul of the Nick Willcocks, Chief Executive, away on its own – we need to have consumers will almost certainly end benefit to ensure that it is fairer yourfuneralchoice.com a national conversation about up in debt, and funeral directors Royal London believes the SFFP and more responsive to those how we address the rising cost of will have to consider very hard needs to be simplified and made who need it. funeral services, and how we say whether they wish to conduct SFFP more humane. At the very least it goodbye to those who are close funerals at a loss for the good of the needs reform to break the process “Research amongst our 3,800 to us. The government needs to community, or whether they should which undoubtedly leads people to members suggests the system start acting on this issue before direct those claimants with financial buying funerals they cannot afford, is failing to meet the needs of it is too late.” difficulties to their local authority, and almost certainly leads next of kin tens of thousands of eligible where a public health funeral would into funeral debt. applicants and is also leaving Emma Lewell-Buck, MP be conducted. funeral directors with increasingly levels of unpaid debt. We urge the Government to provide greater transparency and review the system as a matter of urgency.”

Mike Owen, Chief Executive, National Association of Funeral Directors

36 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 37 CONCLUSIONS APPENDIX: AND RECOMMENDATIONS FIND THE COST OF A FUNERAL IN YOUR AREA

This year’s report finds a funeral However, the news from this year’s East Midlands system still displaying the failures report is not all gloom. Scotland had 2014 2014 2015 2015 reported last year. The UK’s most led the way in removing doctors’ fees LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation vulnerable bereaved are taking on from retail funeral costs (from May Chesterfield Derbyshire £3,922 £3,104 £4,301 £3,254 increased levels of funeral debt, this year). We would call on those Derby Derbyshire £3,957 £3,126 £4,181 £3,246 and the problem is set to increase responsible in England, Wales and Leicester Leicestershire £4,004 £3,213 £4,215 £3,379 significantly, if steps are not taken Northern Ireland to do the same. to address issues facing almost every Loughborough Leicestershire £4,150 £3,343 £3,749 £3,463 element of today’s funerals. There are some other positive Alford Lincolnshire £2,978 £3,029 £3,147 £3,179 signs. More and more people are Boston Lincolnshire £3,680 £3,109 £3,800 £3,409 Costs continue to mount for burials managing to make personalised Grantham Lincolnshire £3,175 £3,293 £3,314 £3,413 especially. We repeat our call for choices (for example in favour of Lincolnshire £4,239 £3,109 £4,415 £3,249 changes that allow the appropriate natural and woodland burials). Lincoln and sensitive reuse of abandoned More choice is also emerging in the Surfleet Lincolnshire £3,354 £3,159 £3,480 £3,279 burial plots to ease some of the increased availability of ‘direct’ or Kettering Northamptonshire £3,309 £3,305 £3,580 £3,381 demand pressures. basic, low cost funeral packages – Northampton Northamptonshire £3,293 £3,389 £3,438 £3,517 though more could be done to make Bramcote Nottinghamshire £3,399 £3,042 £3,620 £3,248 The Social Fund Funeral Payment these widely available. (SFFP) remains important, yet Mansfield Nottinghamshire £4,043 £3,057 £4,190 £3,212 increasingly inadequate and is Our data also suggests that with Nottingham Nottinghamshire £3,734 £2,981 £3,825 £3,134 failing many of those in need at a very wide range in costs within Ollerton Nottinghamshire £3,052 £3,303 £3,168 £3,423 the most distressing times of their the same location, for those lives. Awards are falling in number who feel able to shop around at and the gap between the payment this distressing time, there are East of England and retail funeral costs continues significant cost savings to be made. 2014 2014 2015 2015 to widen. Furthermore, this benefit LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation requires applicants to commit This is not a time for blame or Bedford Bedfordshire £3,531 £3,176 £3,698 £3,326 to a package of funeral services defensiveness, it is a time to work Luton Bedfordshire £3,644 £3,199 £3,780 £3,399 before they know whether they together to find better outcomes Cambridge Cambridgeshire £3,296 £3,154 £3,244 £3,303 will qualify for an award or what for bereaved UK citizens. Cambridgeshire £3,669 £3,219 £3,825 £3,391 the value of that award will be. March This benefit needs radical root Peterborough Cambridgeshire £3,872 £3,199 £3,988 £3,374 and branch reform. Basildon Essex £3,814 £3,204 £4,170 £3,424 Braintree Essex £3,536 £3,303 £3,652 £3,423 Brentwood Essex £3,402 £3,256 £3,550 £3,376 Chelmsford Essex £3,489 £3,109 £3,622 £3,241 Colchester Essex £3,494 £3,151 £3,665 £3,331 Hainault Essex £4,364 £3,204 £4,540 £3,374 Harlow Essex £4,299 £3,184 £4,365 £3,364

38 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 39 East of England (Continued) London (Continued) 2014 2014 2015 2015 2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Morden London £5,747 £3,029 £5,370 £3,164 South Essex Essex £4,985 £3,129 £4,789 £3,289 Mortlake London £5,289 £3,069 £5,493 £3,204 Southend-on-Sea Essex £5,079 £3,119 £5,250 £3,339 Ruislip London £4,861 £3,084 £4,868 £3,204 Weeley Essex £3,684 £3,209 £3,800 £3,374 Southgate London £6,854 £3,224 £6,947 £3,374 Stevenage Hertfordshire £3,186 £3,319 £3,322 £3,479 Southwark London £4,735 £3,158 £5,042 £3,278 Watford Hertfordshire £3,697 £3,019 £3,619 £3,149 Streatham London £5,299 £3,289 £5,492 £3,409 Great Yarmouth Norfolk £3,499 £3,179 £3,666 £3,339 Tooting London £6,017 £3,040 £6,215 £3,172 Kings Lynn Norfolk £3,424 £3,154 £3,591 £3,305 Wandsworth London £6,707 £3,081 £6,936 £3,216 Norwich Central Norfolk £4,335 £3,361 £4,917 £3,481 West Norwood London £5,376 £3,040 £5,628 £3,172 Norwich North Norfolk £4,217 £3,361 £4,566 £3,481 Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk £3,605 £3,224 £3,433 £3,424 North East England Ipswich Suffolk £3,609 £3,119 £3,965 £3,239 2014 2014 2015 2015 Nacton Suffolk £4,392 £3,119 £4,560 £3,259 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Hartlepool Cleveland £3,278 £3,148 £3,490 £3,299 London Middlesbrough Cleveland £3,634 £3,133 £3,750 £3,253 2014 2014 2015 2015 Bishop Aukland Durham £4,184 £3,190 £4,300 £3,310 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Darlington Durham £3,574 £3,184 £3,740 £3,326 Barnet London £5,254 £3,097 £5,685 £3,219 Durham Central Durham £4,184 £3,129 £4,300 £3,239 Beckenham London £6,899 £3,409 £7, 216 £3,529 Durham North Durham £4,184 £3,139 £4,300 £3,259 City of London London £5,075 £3,173 £5,422 £3,349 Blyth Northumberland £3,634 £3,181 £3,750 £3,301 Croydon London £4,827 £3,204 £5,010 £3,369 Birtley Tyne and Wear £3,689 £3,174 £3,836 £3,363 East Finchley London £4,507 £3,059 £4,835 £3,204 Gateshead Tyne and Wear £3,689 £3,174 £3,836 £3,363 East London London £4,266 £3,207 £4,431 £3,327 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Tyne and Wear £3,981 £3,195 £4,147 £3,335 Eltham London £4,796 £3,102 £5,207 £3,252 South Shields Tyne and Wear £3,988 £3,198 £4,147 £3,335 Enfield London £6,359 £3,239 £6,655 £3,359 Sunderland Tyne and Wear £3,780 £3,093 £3,892 £3,255 Feltham London £5,129 £2,999 £5,467 £3,119 Tynemouth Tyne and Wear £3,924 £3,139 £3,857 £3,322 Golders Green London £5,254 £3,134 £5,685 £3,284 Whitley Bay Tyne and Wear £3,925 £3,139 £3,857 £3,322 Islington London £4,507 £3,039 £4,295 £3,189 Kensal Green London £5,284 £3,104 £5,509 £3,224 Kingston upon Thames London £4,369 £3,039 £4,765 £3,179 Lewisham London £5,529 £3,153 £5,252 £3,296 Manor Park (London) London £5,160 £3,159 £5,493 £3,314

40 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 41 North West England North West England (Continued) 2014 2014 2015 2015 2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Chester Cheshire £3,847 £3,099 £4,117 £3,279 Birkenhead Merseyside £4,015 £3,119 £3,947 £3,259 Crewe Cheshire £3,984 £3,091 £3,990 £3,224 Liverpool North Merseyside £3,899 £3,220 £4,085 £3,374 Macclesfield Cheshire £3,984 £3,091 £3,990 £3,224 Liverpool South Merseyside £3,731 £3,220 £4,085 £3,374 Northwich Cheshire £4,185 £3,134 £4,356 £3,294 Southport Merseyside £4,034 £3,274 £4,260 £3,444 Warrington Cheshire £4,185 £3,059 £4,356 £3,207 St. Helens Merseyside £3,690 £3,045 £3,839 £3,195 Widnes Cheshire £3,984 £3,129 £4,188 £3,266 Thornton Merseyside £4,034 £3,274 £4,260 £3,444 Barrow in Furness Cumbria £3,252 £3,214 £3,390 £3,350 Carlisle Cumbria £3,565 £3,221 £3,790 £3,401 Whitehaven Cumbria £3,599 £3,286 £3,810 £3,406 South East England 2014 2014 2015 2015 Lancashire £3,469 £3,049 £3,665 £3,179 Accrington LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Blackburn Lancashire £3,709 £3,104 £3,893 £3,262 Bracknell Berkshire £4,220 £3,234 £4,377 £3,368 Blackpool Lancashire £3,739 £3,134 £3,925 £3,254 Reading Berkshire £4,288 £3,208 £4,059 £3,344 Burnley Lancashire £4,110 £3,103 £4,226 £3,262 Slough Berkshire £4,171 £3,229 £4,205 £3,364 Chorley Lancashire £3,797 £3,314 £3,949 £3,434 West Berkshire Berkshire £2,995 £3,224 £3,122 £3,394 Lancaster Lancashire £3,656 £3,356 £3,792 £3,476 Amersham Buckinghamshire £2,924 £3,029 £3,040 £3,164 Lytham St. Annes Lancashire £3,199 £3,059 £3,625 £3,229 Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire £3,902 £3,196 £3,957 £3,330 Preston Lancashire £3,614 £3,092 £3,764 £3,212 Aldershot Hampshire £5,266 £3,269 £5,528 £3,426 Altrincham Manchester (Greater) £3,924 £3,119 £4,125 £3,268 Basingstoke Hampshire £3,526 £3,334 £3,444 £3,454 Atherton Manchester (Greater) £3,935 £3,159 £4,074 £3,324 Eastleigh Hampshire No data No data £3,305 £3,374 Bolton Manchester (Greater) £3,659 £3,124 £3,841 £3,264 Havant Hampshire £3,549 £3,109 £3,765 £3,229 Bury Manchester (Greater) £3,839 £3,314 £3,903 £3,434 Portsmouth Hampshire £3,373 £3,029 £3,655 £3,179 Dukinfield Manchester (Greater) £3,754 £3,134 £3,990 £3,279 Southampton Hampshire £3,754 £3,154 £3,880 £3,299 Eccles Manchester (Greater) £4,209 £3,189 £4,415 £3,369 Isle of Wight Isle ofWight £3,541 £3,138 £3,692 £3,213 Manchester North Manchester (Greater) £3,946 £3,224 £3,995 £3,364 Barham Kent £3,711 £3,204 £3,844 £3,374 Manchester South Manchester (Greater) £3,874 £3,139 £4,025 £3,259 Charing Kent £3,436 £3,204 £3,579 £3,374 Middleton Manchester (Greater) £3,944 £3,096 £3,990 £3,229 Folkestone Kent £3,558 £3,313 £3,638 £3,433 Oldham Manchester (Greater) £3,869 £3,160 £4,016 £3,296 Maidstone Kent £3,460 £3,139 £3,524 £3,266 Rochdale Manchester (Greater) £4,149 £3,096 £4,302 £3,229 Margate Kent £3,561 £3,119 £3,655 £3,319 Salford Manchester (Greater) £4,209 £3,189 £4,415 £3,369 Medway Kent £3,679 £3,066 £3,795 £3,099 Stockport Manchester (Greater) £3,416 £3,139 £3,550 £3,291 Sittingbourne Kent £3,654 £3,179 £3,795 £3,324 Wigan Manchester (Greater) £3,935 £3,109 £4,024 £3,229

42 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 43 South East England (Continued) South West England (Continued) 2014 2014 2015 2015 2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Poole Dorset £3,799 £3,232 £3,995 £3,387 Tunbridge Wells Kent £3,525 £3,106 £3,835 £3,180 Weymouth Dorset £3,784 £3,198 £3,936 £3,351 Banbury Oxfordshire £3,181 £3,246 £3,247 £3,424 Cheltenham Gloucestershire £3,657 £3,126 £3,709 £3,258 Oxford Oxfordshire £3,869 £3,395 £4,030 £3,515 Forest of Dean Gloucestershire £3,369 £3,204 £3,505 £3,419 Guildford Surrey £4,634 £3,244 £4,855 £3,384 Gloucester Gloucestershire £3,780 £3,246 £3,675 £3,366 Leatherhead Surrey £6,011 £3,409 £5,771 £3,529 Bath Somerset £3,507 £3,139 £3,650 £3,274 Woking Surrey £5,699 £3,240 £6,165 £3,419 Bridgwater Somerset £3,009 £3,144 £3,145 £3,264 Brighton (Downs) Sussex (East) £3,547 £2,948 £3,722 £3,169 Shepton Mallet Somerset £3,330 £3,210 £3,467 £3,330 Brighton (Woodvale) Sussex (East) £3,547 £2,952 £3,722 £3,229 Taunton Somerset £3,333 £3,136 £3,444 £3,279 Eastbourne Sussex (East) £3,652 £3,114 £3,757 £3,249 Weston-super-Mare Somerset £3,878 £3,324 £4,101 £3,444 Hastings Sussex (East) £3,338 £3,104 £3,507 £3,284 Yeovil Somerset £3,050 £3,049 £3,115 £3,189 Chichester Sussex (West) £4,489 £3,409 £4,325 £3,529 Salisbury Wiltshire £3,224 £3,269 £3,396 £3,424 Crawley Sussex (West) £3,972 £3,409 £4,011 £3,529 Semington Wiltshire £3,441 £3,174 £3,724 £3,384 Worthing Sussex (West) £4,059 £3,161 £4,225 £3,345 Swindon Wiltshire £3,181 £3,209 £3,162 £3,349

South West England 2014 2014 2015 2015 West Midlands LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation 2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Bristol North West Bristol £3,904 £3,129 £4,020 £3,311 Hereford £3,866 £3,101 £4,000 £3,232 Bristol South Bristol £3,904 £3,129 £4,020 £3,311 Hereford Shropshire £3,505 £3,161 £3,679 £3,314 Westerleigh Bristol £4,149 £3,224 £4,465 £3,379 Shrewsbury Shropshire £3,249 £3,228 £3,404 £3,348 Bodmin Cornwall £3,999 £3,269 £3,620 £3,444 Telford Staffordshire £3,209 £3,048 £3,344 £3,195 Camborne Cornwall £3,999 £3,104 £3,620 £3,274 Burton on Trent Staffordshire £3,782 £3,104 £4,148 £3,254 Truro Cornwall £3,999 £3,083 £3,620 £3,230 Lichfield Staffordshire £4,110 £3,120 £4,305 £3,338 Barnstaple Devon £3,320 £3,109 £3,432 £3,249 Newcastle-under-Lyme Staffordshire £4,130 £3,089 £4,305 £3,299 East Devon Devon £3,679 £3,284 £3,795 £3,459 Stafford Staffordshire £4,299 £3,054 £4,440 £3,204 Exeter Devon £4,189 £3,318 £4,305 £3,438 Stoke-on-Trent Warwickshire £3,979 £3,103 £4,130 £3,239 Plymouth East Devon £3,749 £3,334 £3,865 £3,454 Leamington Spa Warwickshire No data No data £3,195 £3,529 Plymouth West Devon £3,749 £3,334 £3,865 £3,454 Nuneaton Warwickshire £3,419 £3,209 £3,705 £3,379 Torquay Devon £3,599 £3,274 £3,937 £3,429 Rugby West Midlands £4,819 £3,149 £5,035 £3,289 Bournemouth Dorset £3,486 £3,144 £3,915 £3,309 Coleshill Coventry West Midlands £4,285 £3,139 £4,401 £3,259

44 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 45 West Midlands (Continued) Yorkshire and the Humber (Continued) 2014 2014 2015 2015 2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Dudley West Midlands £4,741 £3,159 £5,023 £3,325 Sheffield North Yorkshire (South) £3,879 £3,144 £4,070 £3,299 Lodge Hill (Birmingham) West Midlands £5,105 £3,137 £5,470 £3,314 Sheffield South Yorkshire (South) £3,879 £3,134 £4,070 £3,279 Perry Barr (Birmingham) West Midlands £5,109 £3,225 £5,470 £3,345 Bradford Yorkshire (West) £3,954 £3,145 £4,105 £3,279 Rowley Regis West Midlands £4,737 £3,116 £4,951 £3,260 Dewsbury Yorkshire (West) £3,691 £3,159 £3,999 £3,292 Solihull West Midlands £4,819 £3,149 £5,035 £3,289 Halifax Yorkshire (West) £3,894 £3,134 £4,075 £3,284 Stourbridge West Midlands £4,741 £3,159 £5,023 £3,325 Huddersfield Yorkshire (West) £3,619 £3,159 £3,942 £3,292 Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham) West Midlands £4,302 £3,137 £4,555 £3,314 Keighley Yorkshire (West) £3,954 £3,145 £4,105 £3,279 Walsall West Midlands £5,103 £3,147 £5,385 £3,286 Leeds North Yorkshire (West) £4,487 £3,257 £4,688 £3,407 West Bromwich West Midlands £4,737 £3,116 £4,951 £3,260 Leeds North West Yorkshire (West) £4,487 £3,257 £4,688 £3,407 Wolverhampton West Midlands £5,063 £3,176 £5,248 £3,313 Leeds South West Yorkshire (West) £4,487 £3,257 £4,688 £3,407 Yardley (Birmingham) West Midlands £5,105 £3,137 £5,470 £3,314 Pontefract Yorkshire (West) £4,122 £3,221 £4,372 £3,388 Redditch Worcestershire £3,944 £3,034 £4,115 £3,159 Shipley Yorkshire (West) £3,954 £3,145 £4,105 £3,279 Stourport Worcestershire £4,556 £3,271 £4,813 £3,391 Wakefield Yorkshire (West) £4,122 £3,221 £4,372 £3,388 Worcester Worcestershire £3,899 £3,209 £4,040 £3,379

Northern Ireland Yorkshire and the Humber 2014 2014 2015 2015 2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Belfast Belfast £3,044 £2,859 £3,027 £2,989 Driffield Humberside £3,695 £3,229 £3,901 £3,402 Haltemprice Humberside £3,777 £3,212 £3,936 £3,332 Hull Humberside £3,777 £3,099 £3,936 £3,249 Scotland Grimsby Lincolnshire £3,795 £3,123 £4,110 £3,255 2014 2014 2015 2015 Scunthorpe Lincolnshire £3,994 £3,167 £4,129 £3,287 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Harrogate Yorkshire (North) £3,972 £3,247 £4,187 £3,393 Aberdeen Aberdeenshire £3,699 £3,089 £3,892 £3,158 Kirkleatham Yorkshire (North) £3,341 £3,124 £3,120 £3,294 Moray Aberdeenshire £3,699 £3,399 £3,892 £3,340 Scarborough Yorkshire (North) £3,601 £3,108 £3,743 £3,239 Dundee Angus £4,066 £3,339 £4,277 £3,340 Skipton Yorkshire (North) £4,021 £3,104 £4,178 £3,244 Friockheim Angus £3,452 £3,392 £3,626 £3,348 York Yorkshire (North) £3,987 £3,286 £4,093 £3,444 Dumbarton (Cardross) Argyll & Bute £3,429 £3,017 £3,593 £2,988 Barnsley Yorkshire (South) £3,861 £3,122 £4,047 £3,302 Irvine Ayrshire £3,175 £3,234 £3,503 £3,227 Doncaster Yorkshire (South) £4,124 £3,209 £4,275 £3,329 Eyemouth (Houndwood) Berwickshire No data No data £3,805 £3,145 Rotherham Yorkshire (South) £4,022 £3,278 £3,893 £3,453 Dumfries Dumfries and Galloway £3,419 £3,199 £3,540 £3,180 Sheffield Central Yorkshire (South) £3,879 £3,134 £4,070 £3,279

46 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 47 Scotland (Continued) Wales (Continued) 2014 2014 2015 2015 2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Edinburgh Edinburgh £3,881 £3,172 £4,046 £3,145 Swansea Glamorgan £3,804 £3,059 £3,970 £3,209 Leith Edinburgh £3,881 £3,179 £4,047 £3,150 Bangor Gwynedd £3,279 £2,961 £3,560 £3,146 Warriston Edinburgh £3,881 £3,179 £4,048 £3,150 Port Talbot Neath Port Talbot £3,769 £3,094 £3,913 £3,214 Dunfermline Fife £3,490 £3,128 £3,620 £3,091 Narberth Pembrokeshire £3,509 £3,070 £3,632 £3,193 Kircaldy Fife £3,490 £3,128 £3,620 £3,091 Pontypridd Pontypridd £3, 211 £3,099 £3,269 £3,255 Glasgow East Glasgow £4,311 £3,071 £4,445 £3,033 Aberdare Rhondda Cynon Taff £3,288 £3,099 £3,592 £3,353 Glasgow North Glasgow £4,688 £3,134 £4,847 £3,090 Gwent Torfaen £3,618 £2,875 £3,835 £3,221 Glasgow South Glasgow £4,311 £3,071 £4,445 £3,033 Wrexham Wrexham £3,873 £3,145 £4,012 £3,275 Glasgow West Glasgow £3,221 £3,129 £3,359 £3,085 Inverness Inverness £3,210 £3,089 £3,502 £3,103 North Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire £3,454 £3,162 £3,711 £3,156 Perth Perthshire £4,044 £3,239 £4, 211 £3,214 Greenock Renfrewshire £3,252 £2,986 £3,448 £2,976 Paisley Renfrewshire £3,221 £3,079 £3,359 £3,065 Melrose Scottish Borders £3,474 £3,194 £3,783 £3,200 Ayr South Ayrshire £3,495 £3,108 £3,691 £3,116 South Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire £4,232 £3,092 £4,348 £3,048 Falkirk Stirlingshire £3,142 £3,097 £3,355 £3,065 Clydebank West Dumbartonshire £3,443 £3,079 £3,624 £3,058 West Lothian West Lothian £3,290 £3,194 £3,453 £3,250

Wales

2014 2014 2015 2015 LOCATION COUNTY Burial Cremation Burial Cremation Bridgend Bridgend (Coychurch) £3,529 £3,109 £3,765 £3,264 Barry Cardiff County £3,459 £3,153 £3,597 £3,294 Cardiff Cardiff County £3,579 £2,999 £3,740 £3,144 Llanelli Carmarthenshire £3,407 £3,085 £3,534 £3,234 Aberystwyth Ceredigion £3,181 £3,169 £3,359 £3,324 Colwyn Bay Conwy County Borough £3,659 £3,070 £3,840 £3,181

48 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 49 50 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 51 For more information about Royal London or this report please contact:

Nancy Baynes – PR Manager Email – [email protected] Phone – 0207 506 6585

Simon Cox – Proposition Lead Consumer Division Email – [email protected] Phone – 07977917482

Gareth Evans – Head of Corporate Affairs Email – [email protected] Phone – 0207 506 6715

The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The firm is on the Financial Services Register, registration number 117672. Registered in England and Wales number 99064. Registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL.

52 The Royal London National Funeral Cost Index Report 2015 10299