A more affordable, meaningful funeral.
In 2010, Quaker Social Action took a risk to set up a pioneering project.
We wanted to support people already struggling to make ends meet. For anyone in this situation, the sudden expense of a bereavement often puts an unbearable strain on already stretched household finances.
We knew though that a more affordable funeral was only half the goal. A funeral also has to be meaningful. In the words of the poet and undertaker, Thomas Lynch:
"A GOOD FUNERAL GETS THE DEAD WHERE THEY NEED TO GO AND THE LIVING WHERE THEY NEED TO BE."
THOMAS LYNCH - POET AND UNDERTAKER
Long term rising funeral costs
SunLife estimate funeral costs have risen 134% since 2004. If, instead, costs had increased at the same rate as inflation, they would have only risen by 75%.
The average cost of the attended funeral SunLife tracks is now £4,285 (SunLife, 2025).* Less expensive attended options are available and direct, or unattended, cremations are now readily offered (average price £1,597, according to SunLife). However, almost 1 in 5 people still experience 'notable financial concerns' while paying for a funeral and, on average, they have to find almost £2,371 to cover the costs, with borrowing featuring highest in how they do this.
There are three key factors behind the rise of funeral poverty:
- The funeral industry is almost completely unregulated in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with prices varying dramatically from one funeral director to the next
- And so, as most bereaved people do not shop around, they can end up paying above the odds
- Existing Government support is also inadequate and has been for years, leaving people with a huge shortfall to make up.
“EVERYONE ELSE I PHONED SAID “NO I CAN’T HELP” OR DIDN’T EVEN GET BACK TO ME. YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE WHO TOLD ME EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TO DO.
DOWN TO EARTH SERVICE USER
QSA's response
Since 2010, Quaker Social Action has run Down to Earth, the only UK-wide service for people struggling with funeral costs. We’re there for people in the depths of grief, providing compassionate support to help them reduce costs and raise money from government and charitable sources. Since Down to Earth began, we’ve supported over 8,000 people across the UK struggling with funeral costs.
We also share insights and the voices of the people we support, campaigning for change to ensure that everyone can afford a dignified funeral.
*An attended funeral is one where mourners are present. The type of attended funeral that SunLife tracks includes a burial/cremation, funeral director fees, a mid-range coffin, one limousine to and from cemetery/crematorium, and doctors' and officiant fees. (As of September 2024, doctors' fees of £164 only exist in Northern Ireland).