Funeral costs simplified

Every funeral is different. We prepare a written, itemised estimate for the arrangements you choose, showing:

• What is included in the selected funeral
• Any costs that apply because of the circumstances
• Fees charged by other organisations
• Any personal choices you decide to add

We explain each item before you make a decision. If the arrangements change, we will update the estimate so that you can see the effect on the total cost.

What is included in the selected funeral

Every arrangement starts with our charges for the funeral selected. The exact inclusions depend on whether the funeral is attended or unattended, and whether it involves cremation or burial.

Your estimate will state what is included, which may cover:

• The necessary arrangements and administration
• Bringing the person who has died into our care within the stated area and hours
• Care in appropriate facilities, including standard preparation and presentation
• The staff and transport needed for the selected funeral
• A suitable coffin, where this forms part of the selected funeral

Costs that apply only when needed

Some costs are not optional when the circumstances apply, but they will not be charged to every family. These may include:

• Collection outside the area, times or conditions included in the selected funeral
• Additional mileage or transfers
• Care beyond the period included in the selected funeral
• Removal of a pacemaker or another medical device before cremation, where required
• Additional staff, equipment or a larger coffin where needed for safe and dignified care
• Specialist care, including embalming, where it is required or agreed with you

We will explain any circumstance-dependent charge before adding it to the estimate.

Fees charged by other organisations

Some funeral costs are set by crematoriums, cemeteries, places of worship and other organisations rather than by us.

Depending on the funeral, these may include:

• Crematorium fees
• Cemetery or burial-ground fees
• The purchase of a grave or burial plot
• The opening and closing of a grave
• Celebrant, minister or officiant fees
• Place-of-worship charges
• Additional crematorium time, music or other ceremony services

We show these charges separately so that you can see which costs are ours and which are paid to another organisation.

Personal choices

You can decide how simple or personalised the funeral should be. You do not need to select every option.

Personal choices may include:

• A different coffin or casket
• A hearse, limousine or specialist vehicle
• A longer funeral route or additional vehicles
• Floral tributes
• Printed orders of service
• Newspaper or online notices
• Webcasting or visual tributes
• A reception or wake
• Urns, jewellery and other keepsakes
• Collection, delivery, scattering or interment of ashes
• A headstone or other memorial

We will explain the available choices and their cost, including more economical alternatives where appropriate.

What may affect the final cost

The final amount can change because of the locations involved, the time required, third-party charges, the selected funeral type and any personal choices. We will explain the effect of a change and update the estimate before it is confirmed.

This page explains how funeral costs are worked out; it is not a quotation or a complete price menu.

For prices that can be compared directly, please see our:

• Standardised Price List

Before anything is confirmed, you will receive a written estimate setting out the services selected and the total expected cost.

There may be costs associated with administering a person’s estate, such as probate, legal advice, property matters or professional estate administration. These costs are separate from the funeral and are not charged or controlled by Valentines.

SunLife’s Cost of Dying Report 2026 records an average spend of £2,635 on professional fees, most commonly for a solicitor to administer the estate. Not every estate requires professional administration.

A meaningful funeral does not depend on choosing the most expensive options. If there is a budget, tell us at the beginning. We can help distinguish between what is necessary, what is optional and where a simpler choice may reduce the total without compromising dignity or care.

This may mean choosing a direct funeral, a simpler attended service, fewer vehicles, a standard coffin, family-supplied flowers or printing, or a memorial gathering at a later date. We will not assume that an upgrade is wanted, and we do not treat a simpler funeral as less important.

A Funeral Expenses Payment may help people who receive certain benefits and meet the government rules on their relationship with the person who died. It can contribute towards eligible funeral costs, but it may not cover the full bill.

Government information: Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility (opens in a new tab)

The Competition and Markets Authority requires funeral directors to publish specific price and business information so that families can understand and compare the services available.

Our Standardised Price List shows the price of the defined CMA Attended Funeral, the unattended funeral options we offer and certain additional services. The same funeral director pricing applies at both our Orpington and Royal Tunbridge Wells branches. Fees charged by crematoria, cemeteries and other third parties may vary according to location and the arrangements chosen.

We also publish relevant local crematorium prices, our payment terms and our Disclosure of Interests. Before any arrangements are confirmed, we will provide you with a written, itemised estimate based on the particular services and choices you have discussed with us.

You can read our full Standardised Price List and download it as a PDF. If anything is unclear, we will explain it in plain language when we talk.