SAIF welcomes Royal London’s Cost Index

2018 Funeral Cost Index shows independent funeral directors offer best value for money

Royal London’s National Funeral Cost Index 2018 is a ‘commendable document’ which shines a light on the prices bereaved people are likely to face in saying goodbye to a loved one, the UK’s voice of independent funeral directors has said. The figures show that the funeral profession has clearly acted in the public interest, with funeral directors’ costs falling overall by 4.5% in recent years.

Terry Tennens, SAIF CEO, said: “The report is a commendable document which confirms what we at SAIF already knew: independent funeral directors offer better value than the large corporates. While independent firms’ costs are said to have increased by 3%, which we put down to rising fuel and wage costs, family firms across the country are still charging on average 10% less than big businesses like Dignity, Co-op Funeralcare and Funeral Partners. We encourage people to shop around and not pay more than they need to for a funeral, particularly if it means a better, more personal service for a lower price.”

Terry added: “Perhaps the most worrying finding – and this is something we’ve known for a long time – is funeral prices are being pushed up by rises in burial and cremation costs. “Local authorities hit by spending cuts are desperate to find ways to bring in revenue. Nevertheless, it’s unacceptable that bereaved people are bearing the brunt of austerity. They should not be seen as an easy source of revenue.”