'Spend taxes on funerals', Cost of Dying report urges

Basic funeral costs £4,271

Adam Saville
clock • 2 min read

SunLife report finds funeral directors want government contribution to funeral costs

The basic cost of a funeral should be covered by tax or national insurance, much like the NHS or pensions system in the UK, the latest Cost of Dying report from SunLife has suggested. Interviews with funeral directors revealed that - in an ideal world - costs covered by government contributions would be supplemented by a funeral policy owned by the deceased or their family should they want a more expensive funeral. Only 2% of the UK gets help from the government. Despite this, one in eight people suffer ‘notable financial concerns' when paying for a loved one's funeral, the SunLife re...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Regulation

FSCS expects 2027/28 levy to hit £360m

FSCS expects 2027/28 levy to hit £360m

Current levy bill unchanged at £247m

Jenna Brown
clock 12 November 2026 • 2 min read
FCA: Pure Protection Market Study does "not give a clean bill of health" to industry

FCA: Pure Protection Market Study does "not give a clean bill of health" to industry

Firms still need to demonstrate fair value

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 November 2026 • 2 min read
Budget 26: Protection and health reacts

Budget 26: Protection and health reacts

A missed opportunity

Cameron Roberts
clock 28 October 2026 • 5 min read