New research by Royal London reveals the cost of a funeral in London is £4,838, making it the most expensive region in the UK for a funeral.
However, if you have a senior life insurance, you don’t need to worry about the funeral expenses.
You Table 1: Average funeral costs in UK regions – ranked by average 2018 cost
| Region | Burial | Cremation | Average |
| London | £6,479 | £3,198 | £4,838 |
| West Midlands | £4,699 | £3,255 | £3,977 |
| East of England | £4,191 | £3,314 | £3,752 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £4,211 | £3,277 | £3,744 |
| North West England | £4,066 | £3,245 | £3,656 |
| South East England | £3,969 | £3,309 | £3,639 |
| North East England | £4,023 | £3,224 | £3,623 |
| South West England | £3,917 | £3,324 | £3,621 |
| Wales | £3,896 | £3,164 | £3,530 |
| Scotland | £3,919 | £3,079 | £3,499 |
| East Midlands | £3,667 | £3,277 | £3,472 |
| Northern Ireland | £3,050 | £2,851 | £2,950 |
Table 2 shows how widely costs can vary across London. For a third year running Kensal Green is the most expensive place in the region for a funeral, with an average cost of £7,489. It is also the most expensive location for a burial funeral, with costs reaching an all-time high of £11,857. Barnet is the cheapest location in the region with a basic funeral costing an average of £3,988. Barnet is also the cheapest for a burial funeral (£4,826). The most expensive location for a cremation funeral in London is Beckenham, at £3,541.
Table 2: Average funeral costs by area: London
| Location | Burial | Cremation | Average |
| Kensal Green | £11,857 | £3,121 | £7,489 |
| Enfield | £8,902 | £3,384 | £6,143 |
| Beckenham | £7,730 | £3,541 | £5,636 |
| Southgate | £7,307 | £3,346 | £5,327 |
| Golders Green | £7,215 | £3,233 | £5,224 |
| Wandsworth | £7,168 | £3,070 | £5,119 |
| Morden | £6,936 | £3,041 | £4,989 |
| Manor Park (London) | £6,696 | £3,269 | £4,982 |
| Islington | £6,753 | £3,081 | £4,917 |
| East Finchley | £6,753 | £3,081 | £4,917 |
| Kingston upon Thames | £6,704 | £3,106 | £4,905 |
| Tooting | £6,355 | £3,111 | £4,733 |
| West Norwood | £6,104 | £3,111 | £4,607 |
| East London | £5,872 | £3,286 | £4,579 |
| Southwark | £5,852 | £3,219 | £4,536 |
| Streatham | £5,445 | £3,436 | £4,441 |
| Feltham | £5,843 | £2,986 | £4,415 |
| Mortlake | £5,613 | £3,066 | £4,340 |
| Croydon | £5,130 | £3,311 | £4,221 |
| Lewisham | £5,245 | £3,174 | £4,210 |
| Eltham | £5,235 | £3,158 | £4,197 |
| City of London | £4,924 | £3,335 | £4,129 |
| Ruislip | £5,023 | £3,120 | £4,071 |
| Barnet | £4,826 | £3,151 | £3,988 |
Commenting on the findings, Royal London’s funeral cost expert, Louise Eaton-Terry, said:
“High funeral costs in London have left many families taking on a mountain of debt, with our research showing a huge increase in the amount being borrowed by the bereaved over the last five years. More support needs to be offered to families struggling to pay for funeral costs, and as a result being forced into debt.
“The funeral payment is seriously lacking, and it’s shocking that the government do not consider funeral director’s fees and a coffin to be a “necessary” cost. We want the social fund to cover the cost of a basic funeral, as no one should have to struggle to give their loved ones a decent send-off.”
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