We often see media outlets sharing UK wide surveys regarding general funeral trend statistics, as 2025 finished and we entered January 2026, I thought it would be interesting to review the clients we have supported in the past year to gain a better insight into local trends and how they vary to national statistics.
National Figures show that Cremation has been the most popular choice since the 1960’s and has steadily grown, now being chosen by 65%, burial has reduced to 15.3% mainly due to lack of grave spaces and the costs associated with purchasing and opening graves, for example leasing a single grave for a resident costs £15,300.00 in London’s Margravine Road Cemetery! A third option which has seen a strong increase in recent years is an unattended cremation, an option where families do not have a funeral ceremony or see the deceased, instead the deceased is transported directly to the crematorium, 19.7% are now choosing this option.
Our clients choices show a difference in attituded to the general UK trends with only 24% currently choosing cremation, this is steadily increasing as awareness of the availability of Crematorium locations grows and some people move away from traditional funerals, burials are the most frequently requested with 73% of clients opting for a traditional grave space, this may steadily decrease as some rural Churches struggle to acquire new land for graves and prices associated with leasing, opening and maintain graves increases. We currently see 3% of clients choosing an unattended or ‘direct cremation’, this has increased steadily since 2021 and is set to grow further following trends set across the country, this may be due to the economical costing of this option and some people not wishing to mark a death formally, preferring instead to have an alternative ceremony after the cremation has taken place.
In summary I feel Northern Ireland will slowly follow in the UK wide trend of increased cremations and increased direct cremations, however this may take a number of years as strong traditions and rural communities hold fast to their preference for the ‘traditional funeral’, I am thankful to be able to offer burials, cremations and direct cremations to clients and we will always strive to provide the best service possible. If you would like to discuss your wishes or purchased a Funeral Plan we can meet in the comfort of your own home or in one of our three offices to provide a no obligation estimate. “Since July 2022 all pre paid funeral plans are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, I (Andrew Milne Dip FD) am very proud to be an Appointed Representative of With Grace Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, this new regulation safeguard people’s money so they can be assured the money they invest in a Pre-Paid funeral plan is protected.”
Andrew Milne Dip FD 07702496267 andrew@milnefuneralservices.co.uk
National Figures shown are taken from What is the real average cost of a Funeral in the UK in? – consumer and market insight report, July 2025 to produce this report Funeral Solution Expert worked with a number of organisations including: • The National Society Of Allied And Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), established in 1989 to support independent, mostly family owned funeral directors. They support around 1,000 members across 1,865 sites, as well as an additional 100 associate members who supply products or services to the funeral profession. they work to uphold the highest standards of best practice and care for their local communities and all member funeral directors work to an agreed code of conduct. • Trajectory Partnership: a premium quality, multi-methodology insight and foresight analysis research firm with extensive experience in later life subject matters. FSE worked with trajectory to shape and deliver all consumer insight conducted in support of this report. • The Cremation Society Of Great Britain: The Society established in 1874 is a not-for-profit registered charity, and pioneer of cremation in Great Britain. It produces an annual directory of crematoria, publishes journals and jointly hosts annual conferences. It supports professionals and members of the public on different aspects of the cremation process and issues arising. The Society collates statistics on the number of cremations and direct (unattended) cremations.
Local figures shown are taken from our client’s choices in 2025, the majority of these clients are from the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, while there are also choices taken from our clients who may have been living in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Mid Ulster District Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council areas.
Milne Funeral Services are an Authorised Representative of Plan With Grace Ltd. Plan With Grace Ltd T/A With Grace is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA reference number 961832.
