Cash-strapped families dealing with the loss of a loved one are increasingly resorting to alternative financial options like loan sharks or crowdfunding to cover the expenses of funerals, a recent report has unveiled. The rising trend was highlighted by a man who shared his necessity to crowdfund his brother’s funeral costs.
According to research, the average cost of a conventional funeral attended by mourners surged by 5.3% to £4,510 last year, marking the largest yearly increase since 2016. A significant 15% of individuals who have organized funerals in recent times expressed significant financial stress during the payment process. Of those facing financial difficulties, approximately 12% turned to crowdfunding, while 8% sought financial aid from unregulated lenders such as loan sharks.
The escalating prices have been attributed to higher cremation and burial fees, increased costs of coffins, and a general rise in living expenses, as outlined in a report by SunLife. This comes as a young man shared his experience of raising funds for his late brother’s funeral after his sudden passing.
Karl-Frederick Hughes, a 20-year-old aspiring university student, tragically passed away following a severe epileptic seizure and cardiac arrest. His brother, Max Hughes, residing with his family in Sheffield, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to secure £10,000 for Karl-Frederick’s funeral, burial, and headstone costs. Max emphasized the financial strain on the family, especially after the loss of their father a decade ago.
Max described his brother as family-oriented, caring, kind, and humorous, expressing the overwhelming challenges they face in organizing a proper farewell for Karl-Frederick. The estimated cost of the funeral alone is expected to be around £7,500, with additional expenses for the wake, gravestone, and other essential arrangements.
Reflecting on the broader issue of funeral costs, Lindesay Mace, co-manager of the Down to Earth funeral poverty service, emphasized the emotional and financial toll of struggling to finance a funeral. The organization has witnessed a 20% year-on-year increase in individuals seeking assistance due to financial hardships in covering funeral expenses.
A basic attended funeral, encompassing essential elements of a traditional service without elaborate extras like memorials and flowers, has become the most popular choice in the UK, averaging £3,828 last year. With additional services such as catering, venue hire, and floral arrangements, the total expenditure on an average funeral reached £5,140, according to SunLife’s findings.
Research conducted with funeral directors and individuals involved in funeral arrangements revealed a growing disparity between the rising costs of funerals and families’ financial capabilities. Mark Screeton, SunLife’s chief executive, emphasized the ongoing challenge for families in affording the increasing costs associated with bidding farewell to their loved ones.