Green Funeral Costs UK 2026
How much does a green funeral cost in 2026?
Green funerals cost £1,500-£4,000 in 2026 (40-60% cheaper than traditional £4,000-£8,000+). Natural burial: £1,500-£3,500 (plot £800-£2,000, interment £400-£800, biodegradable coffin £200-£800, tree £50-£200). Green cremation: £1,800-£3,000. Resomation: £1,800-£2,500. DIY funeral saves £1,000-£2,000. Regional variations: London/South East highest, Wales/Scotland/North England lowest.
- Natural burial: £1,500-£3,500 total
- Green cremation: £1,800-£3,000 total
- Resomation: £1,800-£2,500 total
- vs Traditional: 40-60% cheaper
- Regional: £600-£1,000 difference London vs Wales
- DIY savings: £1,000-£2,000 without funeral director
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Understanding green funeral costs helps you plan an environmentally friendly farewell within budget. This comprehensive 2026 cost breakdown compares all green funeral options, reveals hidden costs to watch for, provides money-saving strategies, and explains regional price variations across the UK.
- Green funerals 40-60% cheaper than traditional
- Natural burial most affordable at £1,500-£3,500
- Main costs: plot/cremation, coffin, services, transport
- DIY saves £1,000-£2,000 in funeral director fees
- Regional variations up to £1,000
- No hidden embalming or expensive coffin costs
Complete cost comparison 2026
| Funeral type | Total cost 2026 | Key components |
|---|---|---|
| Natural burial | £1,500-£3,500 | Plot, biodegradable coffin, tree |
| Green cremation | £1,800-£3,000 | Cremation, eco coffin, service |
| Resomation | £1,800-£2,500 | Water cremation, container |
| Traditional burial | £4,000-£8,000+ | Plot, coffin, headstone, embalming |
| Traditional cremation | £3,000-£5,000 | Cremation, coffin, service, venue |
Natural burial detailed costs 2026
With funeral director (£2,500-£4,500)
- Natural burial plot£800-£2,000
- Interment fee (digging, admin)£400-£800
- Biodegradable coffin£200-£800
- Memorial tree planting£50-£200
- Funeral director professional fees£1,000-£2,000
- Transport (hearse, bearers)£200-£400
- Total with director£2,650-£6,200
DIY natural burial (£1,500-£3,500)
- Natural burial plot£800-£2,000
- Interment fee£400-£800
- Biodegradable coffin (direct purchase)£200-£600
- Memorial tree£50-£200
- Vehicle hire/transport£100-£200
- Total DIY£1,550-£3,800
- Savings vs funeral director£1,000-£2,000
Green cremation costs 2026
- Crematorium fee£700-£1,000
- Biodegradable coffin (cardboard/wicker)£200-£600
- Funeral director fees (optional)£800-£1,500
- Transport£200-£400
- Celebrant/minister (if required)£150-£300
- Total green cremation£1,800-£3,000
Direct cremation (no service) can be as low as £995-£1,600 with providers like Pure Cremation
Resomation costs 2026
- Resomation process fee£1,000-£1,500
- Biodegradable container£200-£400
- Funeral director fees (optional)£800-£1,500
- Transportation£200-£400
- Total resomation£1,800-£2,500
Limited UK availability - primarily Co-op Funeralcare locations
Biodegradable coffin costs 2026
See our complete biodegradable coffin guide for detailed comparison.
| Material | Cost range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard | £200-£400 | Budget, customisation |
| Wicker/Willow | £400-£800 | Traditional look |
| Bamboo | £500-£900 | Sustainability |
| Wool | £600-£1,000 | British-made |
| Shroud | £50-£200 | Most natural/affordable |
Regional cost variations 2026
Higher cost regions
- London: £2,000-£3,500 (natural burial)
- South East: £1,800-£3,200
- South West: £1,600-£3,000
Higher land costs, demand, and proximity to cities
Lower cost regions
- Wales: £1,200-£2,500 (natural burial)
- Scotland: £1,300-£2,600
- North England: £1,400-£2,700
Lower land costs, more rural sites available
Money-saving strategies
10 ways to reduce costs:
- 1.DIY funeral: Save £1,000-£2,000 on funeral director fees
- 2.Cardboard coffin: £200-£400 vs £400-£1,000 for wicker/willow
- 3.Choose rural sites: £600-£1,000 cheaper than city locations
- 4.Direct burial/cremation: No service saves £500-£1,000
- 5.Buy coffin direct: £100-£200 cheaper than through funeral director
- 6.Minimal flowers: Local wildflowers vs expensive arrangements
- 7.Home wake: Free vs £200-£400 venue hire
- 8.Own transport: Use own vehicles saves £200-£400
- 9.Weekday burial: Some sites discount weekday slots
- 10.Simple memorial: Tree planting £50-£200 vs headstone £800-£3,000
Hidden costs to watch for
- Funeral director extras: Additional mileage, staff time, documentation fees
- Site restrictions: Some charge extra for non-standard coffins or services
- Weekend/evening fees: Premium charges for out-of-hours
- Medical examiner fees: Typically £14 in England (required)
- Death certificates: £12.50 per copy (need multiple)
- Venue hire: If service held separately from burial site
- Celebrant/minister: £150-£300 if required
- Catering: Post-service refreshments can add hundreds
What's included vs what costs extra
Usually included in quoted price
- Burial plot purchase
- Digging the grave
- Basic administration
- Plot location recording
- Site access during opening hours
Often costs extra
- Memorial tree planting
- Natural stone marker
- Service/ceremony at site
- Weekend or evening burial
- Double-depth plot
- Additional interment rights
Payment and planning ahead
- Pre-purchase plots: Lock in current prices, plan ahead
- Funeral plans: Some green funeral directors offer pre-paid plans
- Installment options: Some sites offer payment plans
- Funeral Payment: Government help for those on benefits
- Transparent pricing: Natural burial sites typically have clear, upfront costs
Green funerals: Better for planet and wallet
Green funerals average 40-60% less than traditional funerals while offering significant environmental benefits. The cost savings come from avoiding expensive elements (embalming, elaborate coffins, headstones, concrete vaults) whilst maintaining dignity and meaning. Many families find green funerals both more affordable and more meaningful.
For complete planning guidance, see our green funeral planning guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a green funeral cost in 2026?
Green funerals cost £1,500-£4,000 in 2026. Natural burial costs £1,500-£3,500 (plot £800-£2,000, interment £400-£800, biodegradable coffin £200-£800, tree £50-£200). Green cremation costs £1,800-£3,000. Resomation costs £1,800-£2,500. This is 40-60% cheaper than traditional funerals (£4,000-£8,000+).
What is the cheapest green funeral option?
DIY natural burial is cheapest at £1,500-£3,500, saving £1,000-£2,000 by not using a funeral director. Choose cardboard coffin (£200-£400), rural burial site (£800-£1,200 in Wales/Scotland/North), and handle transport yourself (£100-£200). Direct cremation with cardboard coffin is also affordable at £995-£1,600 with providers like Pure Cremation.
How much can I save with a green funeral vs traditional?
Green funerals save £2,500-£5,000 compared to traditional. Traditional burial costs £4,000-£8,000+ vs natural burial £1,500-£3,500 (save £2,500-£4,500). Traditional cremation costs £3,000-£5,000 vs green cremation £1,800-£3,000 (save £1,200-£2,000). Savings come from avoiding embalming, expensive coffins, headstones, and concrete vaults.
Do green funeral costs vary by UK region?
Yes, regional variations are £600-£1,000. London and South East are most expensive (£2,000-£3,500 for natural burial). Wales, Scotland, and North England are cheapest (£1,200-£2,500). This reflects land costs, demand, and whether sites are rural or urban. Rural sites in any region typically cost less than city locations.
What are the hidden costs in green funerals?
Watch for: funeral director extras (mileage, staff time, documentation fees), weekend/evening premium charges, medical examiner fees (£14), death certificates (£12.50 each), separate venue hire for services, celebrant/minister fees (£150-£300), catering costs. Always ask 'What exactly is included?' and get itemised quotes to compare.
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