Cash-strapped families dealing with the loss of a loved one are resorting to alternative methods such as borrowing from loan sharks or using crowdfunding platforms to cover funeral expenses, according to a recent report. One individual shared his experience of having to crowdfund his brother’s funeral due to financial constraints.
Statistics reveal that the average cost of a traditional attended funeral surged by 5.3% to £4,510 in the past year, marking the sharpest annual increase since 2016. A survey showed that 15% of individuals who arranged funerals recently faced significant financial challenges during the payment process. Among them, 12% resorted to crowdfunding, while 8% sought financial assistance from unregulated lenders like loan sharks.
The escalating costs are attributed to rising cremation and burial fees, inflated prices of coffins, and the overall surge in living expenses, as highlighted in a report by SunLife. Against this backdrop, a young man shared his fundraising efforts for his brother’s funeral following the sudden demise of the 20-year-old due to a severe epileptic seizure and cardiac arrest.
Approximately £3,000 of the £10,000 fundraising target on GoFundMe has been achieved to cover the funeral, burial, and headstone costs of the deceased individual. The bereaved brother expressed the family’s financial struggles, emphasizing that the loss of his father, the family’s primary provider a decade ago, has compounded their challenges.
Describing his brother’s character, the grieving sibling portrayed him as a caring and jovial individual who brought light wherever he went. The family faces the daunting task of arranging funds for the funeral, alongside coordinating other aspects like eulogies and burial logistics.
The family aims to celebrate the deceased’s life with a wake, estimating the total funeral expenses to exceed £7,500, excluding additional costs like the grave stone and wake arrangements. The mounting financial burden on families during such trying times has led to a surge in demands for assistance, as observed by Lindesay Mace from the charity Quaker Social Action.
Amidst these challenges, a basic attended funeral without elaborate add-ons emerged as the preferred choice in the UK, costing an average of £3,828 last year. When including additional services like memorials, catering, venue hire, and flowers, the total expenditure on an average funeral escalated to £5,140, as per SunLife’s findings.
The research conducted with input from funeral directors and individuals involved in funeral arrangements underscored the ongoing financial strain faced by families. Mark Screeton, the CEO of SunLife, emphasized the escalating costs associated with bidding farewell, outpacing many families’ financial capabilities.
