The High Cost of Loss by Martyn James
A lack of bereavement support at the point of need is leading to many thousands unknowingly paying more for funerals. A quarter of people in the UK will experience the loss of a family member or friend each year. Yet many don’t know where to turn for practical, impartial support with funeral planning, leaving families vulnerable to overcharging, financial hardship, and avoidable stress.
Many Families Paying Significantly More Than They Should
A quarter of people in the UK will experience the loss of a family member or friend each year. Yet knowing where to turn to get help and support with funeral planning can be exceptionally challenging. Evidence shows that people who are dealing with the death of a loved one are often unaware of where to find impartial, practical bereavement support and funeral planning guidance that they need. As a consequence, many end up overpaying significantly, taking on debt, or even facing serious financial hardship. Some are pushed so far that they turn to high-interest lenders or even loan sharks just to give their loved ones a dignified farewell.
Research by free and impartial funeral advice and comparison service, FuneralExperts.com, found that some people were being billed up to £1,300 more for directly comparable funeral services, with many established national brands charging significantly more than local, independent funeral directors when comparing CMA-standardised price lists. If you’d like to know more about this research, get in touch.
The Wider Cost of Grief
As well as the personal impact on individuals, the financial cost of bereavement on society is staggering. Research conducted by FuneralExperts.com found:
–> A quarter of working-age people (24%) experienced bereavement annually.
–> Each year, around 8 million working-age people in the UK experience bereavement — many while juggling grief, work, and funeral arrangements with little or no support.
–> This leads to 5% of bereaved employees leaving work within six months.
–> The impact on businesses is considerable, with £22.9 billion lost annually as a consequence of grief-related absenteeism.
–> Nearly two-thirds of adults fear the death of a loved one more than their own. And over 70% of people fear being left helpless and dependent if a loved one dies.
–> Only one fifth of people had made financial arrangements for their funeral, and just two in five had spoken to friends or family about what they would like for their funeral.
Despite being such a universal experience, bereavement remains one of the most unsupported and misunderstood pressures in working life.
“It’s morally right and economically essential to support bereaved families”
Jason Ghous, founder and CEO of FuneralExperts.com, said:
“Not only is it morally and ethically right to help people access the support they need during bereavement, but it also makes clear economic sense. The financial impact of bereavement and grief on society could be dramatically reduced simply by making a distressing and confusing process easier to navigate. The irony is that identifying people who are struggling after the loss of a loved one is straightforward, and it costs next to nothing to point them towards the right support. Whether it’s councils, NHS trusts, or individuals, we all have a role to play in making sure no one has to go through this alone.”
What Needs to Change
FuneralExperts.com is calling for:
–> More support for people throughout the bereavement process so they know where to turn when a loved one dies.
–> A straightforward and secure referral system from the NHS, care homes, hospices and community services, to enable bereaved families to find essential support and affordable funeral options so they don’t reach crisis point.
–> Clearer information on funeral costs so families can easily compare prices and know when they’re being charged fairly.
–> Enforcement action against businesses that are breaking the Competition and Markets Authority’s Funeral Market Investigation Order on price and service transparency.
–> Introduce mandatory licensing for funeral directors — built on a robust regulatory framework that puts safeguarding the bereaved and the dignified care of the deceased at its core.
Consumer Rights Campaigner Martyn James Says...
Dealing with the death of a loved one can be one of the most overwhelming situations any of us have to deal with, despite the fact that we will all be affected at some point in our lives.
I believe passionately that we need to be frank about dealing with death so we can help people through this difficult time, especially if they are struggling financially or need additional support. All we have to do is help people find the bereavement and funeral support that is right for them. Together we can make a difference
For more information about Martyn, visit his website
About Funeral Experts
Available nationally, FuneralExperts.com is the UK’s only independent, frontline bereavement support service combining practical advice, funeral cost transparency, and compassionate care — completely free to the public.
They work in partnership with NHS Trusts, coroners, councils, care homes, and charities to support families from the moment death occurs. Their trained bereavement advisors provide emotional support, funeral planning, welfare benefits advice, and help with practical tasks such as contacting organisations and accessing specialist grief support.
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