Funeral costs are often the last thing we’d like to think about, but when the death of a loved one comes along having some idea about what’s on offer and the costs to be occurred makes it easier at such a sad time.
According to SunLife's 2024 Cost of Dying report, seven in ten people in the UK make provisions before they die, but only 54% have got the whole amount covered.
SunLife says that, on average, a basic funeral in the UK costs around £4,141 in 2023 and £3,953 in 2022 (a 4.7% increase), but this can vary depending on where you live.
So as much as this is not a conversation we want to have, it’s good to have these discussions with your loved ones.
Here’s our breakdown of funeral costs in Jersey for 2024 compared with what they were in 2022:
|
Service/Product |
De Gruchy’s (Co-op) |
Maillards (Independent) |
Pitcher & Le Quesne (Dignity) |
|
Professional Fees |
£1,250 |
£1,335 |
£0 |
|
Funeral Director fee above professional fees |
£0 |
£0 |
£1,590 |
|
Care of deceased (bringing into care and treatment 24/7) |
£490 |
£380 |
£295 |
|
Provision of hearse, driver and bearers |
£750 |
£716 |
£600 |
|
Provision of one limousine |
£200 |
£194 |
£195 |
|
Attendance of Funeral Director at burial of ashes |
£75 |
£90 |
£0 |
|
Total cost of the above |
£2,765 |
£2,715 |
£2,680 |
|
(£2,165 in 2017) |
(£2,256 in 2017) |
(£3,863 in 2017) |
|
|
Direct/’no frills’ cremation * |
£1,795.35 |
£2,040.35 |
£1,700 |
|
Embalming (if requested) |
£185 |
£200 |
£155 |
|
Coffin – cheapest wood effect |
£595 |
£650 |
£495 |
|
Coffin – cheapest eco-friendly coffin (rattan, sea-grass or wicker) |
£785 |
£750 |
£845 |
|
Ashes urn – cheapest hardwood |
£120 |
£120 |
£115 |
|
Service/Product |
De Gruchy’s (Co-op) |
Maillards (Independent) |
Pitcher & Le Quesne (Dignity) |
|
Professional Fees |
£1,450 |
£1,565 |
£2,015 |
|
Funeral Director fee above professional fees |
£0 |
£0 |
£0 |
|
Care of deceased (bringing into care and treatment 24/7) |
£500 |
£380 |
£320 |
|
Provision of hearse, driver and bearers |
£790 |
£790 |
£650 |
|
Provision of one limousine |
£200 |
£194 |
£210 |
|
Attendance of Funeral Director at burial of ashes |
£95 |
£90 |
£135 |
|
Total cost of the above |
£3,035 |
£3,019 |
£3,330 |
|
Direct/’no frills’ cremation * |
£2,750.52 |
£2,995.00 |
£1,875 |
|
Embalming (if requested) |
£210 |
£200 |
£175 |
|
Coffin – cheapest wood effect |
£675 |
£795 |
£495 |
|
Coffin – cheapest eco-friendly coffin (rattan, sea-grass or wicker) |
£810 |
£900 |
£1,005 |
|
Ashes urn – cheapest hardwood |
£120 |
£120 |
£120 |
Additional costs
- Minister / Priest / Celebrant fee – £300
- Minister / Priest / Celebrant fee for attendance at burial of ashes – £75.00
- Church verger – £65.00
- Church fee (if not a parish church) – £220.00
- Organist – £110.00
- Soloist Varies – prices will vary
- Flowers – prices will vary
- Service sheets – prices will vary
- Paper notices – prices will vary
- Crematorium – £828.00
- Cremation certificate (if required) – £10.51
- Doctor's cremation forms – £200
- Death certificate x 1 – £32.31
Prices correct as at Apr/May 2024. Some prices may include different services and products
To make the process easier for bereaved families, much of the organisation can be arranged and paid for by the Funeral Directors, who include them in the final invoice. The companies sometimes work with each other when the need arises, to ensure the experience is as painless as possible.
They are willing to work with families to find the best option that will suit their needs and budget. They can advise on where you could cut costs and if requested will provide an estimate of costs before you agree to go ahead. Should you be eligible, they can advise on the Government’s Death Grant payment, which is currently £1,063.72.
The Government can help those on low incomes with financial support to help with funeral costs. You can find out more about this at gov.je/ benefits/deathbereavement
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