How much does funeral cover cost in the UK?

There is no single price for funeral cover in the UK, because the cost depends on your age, the amount of cover you choose and the type of plan you take out. This guide explains what drives the price, gives some context on what funerals actually cost, and shows how to get a figure you can rely on.

How much does funeral cover cost per month?

There is no standard monthly price, because funeral cover is individually priced from your age, your chosen cover amount and the type of plan. An over-50s guaranteed-acceptance plan typically has a fixed monthly premium, set when you take it out and usually based on your age at that point. Underwritten cover is priced on your health and circumstances as well.

Because of that, example figures and “average premium” numbers tell you very little about what you, specifically, would pay. The useful question is not “what is the average” but “what drives my own price”, which comes down to age, cover amount and plan type.

What is the average cost of a funeral in the UK?

As context, the average cost of a basic UK funeral is around GBP 4,000 or more, and the wider cost of dying is higher again once you add things like the wake, a headstone and professional fees. SunLife’s annual Cost of Dying Report is the standard UK reference for these figures, which change from year to year.

These numbers matter because they help you decide how much cover to aim for. There is little point insuring for far less than a funeral costs, but equally there is no need to over-insure. Knowing the rough cost helps you set a sensible target before you ask for quotes.

What affects the cost of funeral cover?

The price is driven by three main things: your age, the cover amount and the plan type.

• Your age. The older you are when you take out the plan, the higher the monthly premium for the same cover.
• The cover amount. A larger payout costs more each month.
• The plan type. Guaranteed-acceptance over-50s plans are priced differently from underwritten cover.

With underwritten cover, your health and lifestyle feed into the price as well, which can work in your favour if you are in good health.

What is the difference between over-50s plans and underwritten cover?

The main difference is whether you answer health questions. Over-50s plans usually accept you without medical questions, while underwritten cover assesses your health and may offer a better price or larger payout in return.

Feature	Over-50s guaranteed-acceptance plan	Underwritten funeral or whole-of-life cover
Health questions	Usually none	Yes
Acceptance	Guaranteed within age limits	Subject to underwriting
Premium	Fixed, often for life	Based on health and circumstances
Waiting period	Usually 1 to 2 years	Often none once accepted
Best suited to	Those who want simple, guaranteed acceptance	Those in good health wanting better value

For a fuller explanation of how these plans pay out and what they cover, see our guide on how funeral cover works.

Can you pay in more than the plan pays out?

Yes, and this is the main thing to watch with guaranteed-acceptance over-50s whole-of-life plans. Because the premium continues for life, if you live a long time you can pay in more in total than the plan eventually pays out.

Many plans limit this risk by stopping premiums at a set age, for example 90, after which cover continues for free. Others do not, so it is worth checking the terms. The longer you expect to pay in, the more important this point becomes.

Is there a waiting period on funeral cover?

Most guaranteed-acceptance plans have a waiting period, usually one to two years from the start. If you die from natural causes during that period, the plan typically refunds the premiums you have paid, or pays a limited amount, rather than the full sum assured. Death from an accident is often covered in full from day one.

This is a normal feature of guaranteed-acceptance cover, not a catch, but it is worth understanding so the payout is not a surprise to your family.

How do you get an accurate figure?

Because the price is personal, the only way to know your real cost is to get a quote based on your own details: your age, the cover amount you want and the plan type that suits you. A whole-of-market adviser can compare plans for you and check the small print on waiting periods, premium caps and exclusions.

It also helps to settle on a target cover amount first, using the average funeral cost as a starting point, so the quotes you compare are built on the right figure rather than a guess.

Bottom line

Funeral cover has no fixed price. Your premium is built from your age, the cover amount and the type of plan, with health also feeding into underwritten cover. Use the average UK funeral cost as context for how much cover to aim for, watch the risk of paying in more than the payout on lifelong guaranteed-acceptance plans, and check the waiting period before you buy.

To turn that into a real number, get a personalised quote. If you would like help comparing funeral cover and checking the terms, GoInsureMe can talk it through with you.