How Much Will Your Death Cost Your Family?

When we think about life's major expenses, we tend to focus on mortgages, weddings, and university fees. But there's another significant cost lurking at the end of the road, one that most of us prefer not to think about. The total "cost of dying" in the UK has now hit a record high of £9,797.

That figure might feel abstract now. But, for many, the reality is a sudden and chaotic scramble. Imagine your loved ones, already navigating immense grief, discovering that bank accounts are frozen, and there are no immediate funds for funeral costs. For nearly 1 in 5 families, this scenario is painfully real, creating notable financial strain and leaving them with an average shortfall of £2,371 to cover the final bills. This pressure forces many to sell possessions, take on credit card debt, or even turn to crowdfunding at the worst possible time.

But knowledge is power. Understanding what makes up this cost is the first step toward controlling it. The headline figure of £9,797 is actually a combination of three distinct parts:

• The Basic Funeral Cost: This covers the non-negotiables: the funeral director's services and the fees for a burial or cremation.

• Discretionary Send-Off Costs: This is for the personal touches—the wake, flowers, catering, and memorial that make a farewell unique.

• Professional Fees: These are the administrative costs, primarily for solicitors or probate specialists to handle the legal and tax affairs of the estate.

The good news is that this is a national average. Your final cost depends entirely on your choices, location, and how well-prepared your estate is. To cut through the confusion, we've built a simple calculator based on the latest 2025 data. Answer a few questions to get a personalised estimate and see where your money might go.

The Hidden Cost Your Estimate Reveals

After using the calculator, you probably noticed an unexpected variable that can dramatically inflate the final bill: Professional Fees. The professional fees for administering an estate are often where families face the biggest and most unexpected shock.

When a solicitor is appointed, they typically charge based on an hourly rate (from £150 to over £375 per hour) or as a percentage of the estate's value, often between 1.5% and 2.5%. For a £500,000 estate, that could mean a bill of over £10,000, on top of the funeral costs. (Author's note: I personally interviewed a family who was quoted £8,000 for a £50,000 estate, because of the minimum hours it required the solicitors to work on an estate no matter how small.)

But here's the secret: for many straightforward estates, this cost isn't necessary. The official government fee to apply for probate yourself is just £300. The reason families spend thousands on solicitors is often due to a lack of clear instructions and organised paperwork, forcing them to pay for professional help to navigate the confusion and deadlines. With the right guidance and a well-prepared plan, your family could confidently handle the process themselves, saving thousands in legal fees.

Planning Isn't for You—It's for Them

The true cost of dying isn't just a number on a calculator. It's the stress, debt, and confusion left for your loved ones to deal with. But it doesn't have to be that way.

A handful of documents and a clear plan today can spare your family from the financial chaos tomorrow. It ensures that solicitor fees are a choice, not a necessity, and that your hard-earned assets end up in the right hands.

Planning your estate isn't about dwelling on the inevitable; it's the ultimate act of care for the people you're leaving behind.

Discover how our estate planning solution can help you organise your affairs, guide your family through the probate process, and ensure your legacy is protected. Give your loved ones the gift of clarity.