What is the average cost of a funeral plan in Cheshire?

As the cost of services increase year-on-year, funeral plans have grown in popularity as people seek peace of mind and financial certainty.

In Cheshire and the surrounding areas, costs vary depending on the type of funeral you choose, but many families are turning to Golden Charter funeral plans offered by Andrew Smith Funeral Services for trusted, local support.

What a funeral plan covers

Purchasing a funeral plan allows you to secure your funeral director’s services at today’s prices, as well as make your wishes regarding arrangements clear, and avoid leaving decisions and payments to your loved ones when they are grieving.

With a Golden Charter plan, your funeral director’s services are included and protected against future cost increases once the plan is paid for. The retail price of your funeral plan is representative of the equivalent cost of a funeral today, plus an arrangement fee which is retained by Golden Charter to help cover the costs of setting up your plan. Depending on the plan chosen, there may also be an allowance towards disbursements (third-party costs) like the crematorium or minister fees.

Typical costs in Cheshire

The actual cost of funeral plans in Cheshire will vary based on:

• The type of funeral you plan for (a direct cremation or an attended service)
• The level of service included
• Whether you choose burial or cremation

The average price for the different types of funeral, according to the 2026 Sun Life Cost of Dying Report, are outlined below.

Direct cremations

A direct cremation (unattended funeral) is generally considered one of the most affordable options, covering a simple cremation with no service. The average price for this is around £1,628, while Andrew Smith prices their Premium Direct Cremation Funeral Service at £1,325 plus disbursements.

Andrew Smith’s Premium Direct Cremation Funeral Service differs from the standard direct cremation offered by other providers in a few ways, they include additional services as standard, such as:

• The deceased will be taken into their care using their private ambulance
• Care of the deceased takes place entirely at their Macclesfield premises, delivered by their dedicated and experienced team
• They offer the option to visit with your loved one in their chapel of rest prior to the day of the cremation
• There will be a funeral cortege from Park Green House to Macclesfield Crematorium, with a Jaguar hearse, a funeral director and four pall bearers
• They handle the collection of the ashes from the crematorium and, if required, the delivery of floral tributes to a local venue after the cremation

It is a simple and affordable option, delivered with care and transparency.

Attended Funerals

The cost of attended funeral services can vary widely, from simple attended cremations to more traditional, fully bespoke services.

For instance, the average price for a Simple attended funeral is £3,518, whereas the fixed-price Simple Cremation Funeral Service from Andrew Smith costs £2,050, plus disbursements.

A fully Bespoke funeral service, completely tailored and arranged precisely according to your wishes and needs, has an average price of £4,200 – and Andrew Smith’s Bespoke Funeral Service is priced from £2,435 plus disbursements.

Why Plan Ahead in Cheshire

Funeral costs in the UK have been rising steadily, and many families find that pre-planning through a funeral plan helps:

• Avoid future price increases for funeral director’s services
• Reduce emotional and financial pressure on loved ones
• Ensure your preferences are honoured when the time comes

With a Golden Charter plan, you have the reassurance that once your plan is fully paid for, your funeral director’s services are secured, even if costs go up over time.