Forty-three per cent of grieving adults have gone into debt or experienced financial hardship after paying towards a loved ones’ funeral.
A study of 500 adults who have contributed financially towards a funeral within the last two years found 62 per cent felt they were unable to properly grieve because of the stress the cost of the send-off had caused.
On average, those polled contributed £1,797.40 of their own money towards the cost of a funeral.
Among those who have experienced financial hardship, the cost of the send-off caused £1,951.90 of debt.
This had a significant impact on their mental health, leaving people feeling stressed (50 per cent), anxious (45 per cent) and embarrassed (36 per cent).
Dan Garrett, CEO of direct cremation funeral provider Farewill, which commissioned the research, said: “The cost of living crisis is fuelling a cost of dying emergency.
“Grieving families all over the UK are having the stress of losing someone they love compounded by the devastating hardship of funeral poverty.
“Alongside steep hikes in supermarket prices and higher mortgage rates, it’s now far more likely that a death in the family could push grieving families into poverty as they struggle to cover the funeral bill.
“Having an affordable option such as direct cremation, with prices starting from £800, allows families the option to celebrate their loved one’s life in a way that feels right for them and the chance to grieve without the added pressure of costly traditions.
“With 85 per cent of those polled worried about the impact the economic crisis could have on their ability to pay for a funeral in the future, it’s not surprising direct cremation is increasing in popularity.”
Brits are searching for financial help
Since 2004, funeral costs have risen by 121 per cent, with the average basic funeral last year costing £4,056 without the inclusion of traditional flowers,
