The funeral mistake that costs grieving Brits almost £157.1 million every year

A cultural reluctance to talk about death costs bereaved families around £157.1 million each year, according to a new survey.

A survey for palliative care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder found that nearly 59 per cent of people organizing funerals had spent beyond their means, with an average spend of £513.

Almost a third (30 percent) of those who overspend feel pressure to do so, while 26 percent worry about being judged if they choose a more modest option.

Almost a quarter (24 percent) of those who faced the death of a loved one in the past five years had never discussed end-of-life wishes.

54 percent of funeral organizers said they were unsure about important decisions because no prior discussions had taken place.

Almost three in 10 funeral directors (29 per cent) are concerned about the lack of clarity, while 22 per cent experience guilt and worry they have made the wrong choices.

A further 23 per cent admitted they were confused about what their loved one might want, and more than half (56 per cent) admitted this had led to family disagreements lasting an average of 13 months.

More than two-thirds (67 percent) of those who had family disagreements said the conflict was only resolved when another family member became ill.

Nearly half (48 percent) felt uncomfortable talking about death and dying, while 47 percent said they didn’t know how to start the conversation.

Sue Ryder CEO James Sanderson said: “The nation’s silence about the end of life and death can carry a real cost, not just emotionally but financially.

“Our research shows that 24 per cent of bereaved people in the last five years have never discussed their end-of-life wishes, leaving bereaved families forced to make emotionally charged and often expensive decisions.

“Talking about what you want at the end of your life is one of the kindest, most practical gifts you can give to the people you love.”

More than half (53 percent) of those who experienced the death of a loved one in the past five years said they did not know their loved one was nearing the end of their life.

While 59 percent of the bereaved regretted not having a suitable opportunity to say goodbye, nearly half said unresolved issues and unfinished conversations continued to weigh on them.

Sue Ryder has published a guide called Your Death Deserves Better to help people start talking about end-of-life wishes.