Everyone, at some point, will need to make funeral arrangements either for themselves or a loved one.
It’s sadly an inescapable part of life that can be made more challenging by the high financial cost that often are part of the funeral organisations.
These costs can cut into a hefty chunk of money and heavily deplete a bank balance. With that in mind, it’s hardly any wonder that with all the other expenses associated with modern life, many people are seeking to cut these costs or find a more cost-effective way of doing things.
One facet of this is understanding what funeral costs may be far ahead of time and often making self-arrangements before the time comes.
This has also led to increased transparency in the industry and the opportunity for more budget funeral options. Many of these can be adapted to align with personal faith, religious affiliation, and last wishes.
According to the life insurance company Sunlife, lower-cost funerals are exploding in popularity, with direct funerals coming in the cheapest, an average Simple Funeral estimated at £4,056.
At the same time, Traditional options sit at a starting point of £8,864 – a substantial amount of money in anyone’s estimation.
To make it easier to consider each option for a funeral in Hitchin, we’ve listed each and the average cost below.

Contents
Direct Funerals
Cost: £995 – £2,500
There are two types of direct funerals: cremation and Burial. A Direct Cremation is a lowest-cost funeral available, including all legal essentials related to death.
Direct Burial is the same process, but there is the additional cost of a funeral plot. Both have no service, visiting or mourner; instead, the individual is either cremated or buried in a wooden coffin.
This is a no-frills funeral which some people choose for the lack of fuss and to be remembered in another way, while others prefer it purely for financial reasons.
Simple Funeral
Cost: £2,800 – £4,056
A Simple Funeral is similar to a Direct Funeral with more added traditional elements, making it a stripped-back Traditional Funeral.
Savings are found in different ways, such as limiting flower arrangements, opting for a simple coffin, or a low-cost venue. However, there is still often a service and traditional elements included.
Modern Funeral
Cost: From £4,056 – as much as is desired
What is “modern” is open to interpretation, but modernity is often signified by what mourners are wearing, perhaps the selection of a unique venue or procession car or unusual inclusions in the proceedings.
A Modern Funeral is focused on choice and merging personal preference and tradition, designed to allow individuality to take centre stage.
Traditional Funeral
Cost: From £3690 – 8,864 – or as much as is desired
Many Traditional Funerals still lean towards being faith-based, although non-religious traditional funerals are held these days too.
This funeral is generally more extravagant whilst still being prescriptive to include a viewing, service, procession, and wake.
For further assistance or advice for a funeral in Hitchen, reach out to County Funerals.
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