How avoiding conversations about death is costing bereaved families millions a year

Personal FinanceLifestyle
27 Apr 2026 • 7:32 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

How avoiding conversations about death is costing bereaved families millions a year

  • A new survey indicates that a cultural reluctance to discuss death is costing bereaved families in the UK approximately £157.1 million annually.
  • The poll, conducted for palliative care charity Sue Ryder, revealed that 59 per cent of individuals arranging a funeral overspent, with an average additional cost of £513.
  • Almost a third of those who overspent felt pressured to do so, while 26 per cent worried about being judged for choosing a more modest option.
  • Nearly a quarter of people who had experienced a loved one's death in the past five years had never discussed end-of-life wishes, leading to uncertainty and anxiety during funeral planning.
  • This lack of prior conversation resulted in 56 per cent of families experiencing disagreements that lasted an average of 13 months, prompting Sue Ryder to release a guide titled Your Death Deserves Better

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