The ongoing conflict in Iran is contributing to rising living expenses in the UK, particularly impacting funeral costs as increased gas prices affect cremation services.
A recent analysis indicates that the typical expense of a funeral in the UK is outpacing inflation, with the war in Iran identified as a contributing factor due to its influence on gas prices utilized by crematoriums.
According to the study which surveyed over 270 funeral directors across England, Scotland, and Wales, the average traditional funeral now amounts to £4,623, reflecting a rise of 1.3% or £61 since January. This increase is reported to exceed the inflation rate for the same timeframe, as noted by the funeral service provider Pure Cremation, which conducted the research.
The findings reveal that cremation funerals have experienced a more significant price increase compared to burial services, likely tied to the escalating fuel costs stemming from the Iran conflict. The average cost of a cremation funeral currently stands at £4,293, marking a 1.4% rise since January, while burial services have risen by 1% to reach £6,129.
The Bank of England reported a marginal overall price increase of 0.1% in the UK from December 2025 to February of this year, with the latest official statistics indicating an annual inflation rate of 3% across the country.
In the UK, most crematoriums use gas—either natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)—though a limited number of electric cremators are in operation, with plans to install additional units in the coming years, according to government announcements.
Global gas prices have surged recently due to the Middle Eastern conflict, resulting in fuel shortages in some regions, such as India, where gas-fired cremations have been suspended in certain areas.
Pure Cremation’s study highlighted that while the overall average increase in funeral costs from January to late March was 1.3%, this figure masks significant regional differences. In London, the average cost rose nearly 2%, an increase of £116, while in Scotland, the rise was slightly above 2%.
The most common type of funeral is currently an attended cremation, which constituted 53% of all funerals last year, according to insurer SunLife. Conversely, “direct cremations” have gained traction since the pandemic, now accounting for over 20% of funerals. This option is more economical, offering a simplified service without traditional elements such as mourners, flowers, or limousines, allowing families the flexibility to arrange a more personalized memorial later.
Burials now represent 26% of the overall market share for funerals.
Described as the largest study of its kind on funeral expenses across Great Britain, Pure Cremation’s research defines a traditional funeral as comprising the funeral director’s fees, burial and plot or crematorium charges, and other potential costs depending on the type of service, including additional limousines, celebrants, embalming, and the return of ashes.
