How much does a funeral celebrant cost in the UK?
When arranging a funeral, you may choose to pay for a celebrant. Find out how much this is likely to cost.
When a person dies, there are many different costs to think about. That includes the funeral venue, as well as optional extras like the wake, flowers, transport and funeral celebrant fee.
Together, these costs make up the "cost of dying". According to the SunLife 2025 Cost of Dying report, this currently stands at £9,797.
The majority of this figure is taken up by the burial and cremation arrangements. But you may also want to pay a celebrant to lead the ceremony. This can be paid for out of the estate of the person who died, using a funeral plan or from the family's pocket.
How much does a funeral celebrant cost in the UK?
For up-to-date figures, we can turn to the Academy of Modern Celebrancy's State of Play Report 2025/26. According to the report, "funeral celebrant fees typically range from £200 to £600 per ceremony, although many celebrants earn between £220 and £250 when working through funeral director referrals".
This quote points to the fact that celebrants can be booked directly by the family or with the help of a funeral director. The former, the report notes, is especially common for direct cremations and natural burials. However, a funeral director can also arrange a celebrant for these types of alternative funerals.
How much does a pet funeral celebrant cost?
The report also says that pet funerals are "a rapidly growing niche, driven by the UK's pet ownership boom". Today, 59% of all households in the UK own pets – a figure reflected in the growth of pet funerals.
If you want a celebrant for a pet funeral, the report says, you're likely to spend somewhere between £150 and £400.
Are costs different for different kinds of funeral celebrants?
There are many different kinds of funeral celebrants. Some work at eco-funerals and natural burial grounds. Some specialise in interfaith ceremonies. And some make appearances at festivals and other non-traditional funeral events.
The Academy of Modern Celebrancy report doesn't distinguish between the costs of these different kinds of celebrants. It seems that whatever the nature of the ceremony, a celebrant will cost between £200 and £600.
Who pays for the funeral celebrant?
The funeral celebrant fee will usually be paid for in one of three ways:
- Out of the estate of the person who died
- From a pre-paid funeral plan or life insurance plan taken out by the person who died
- By the family
If you receive certain benefits, you may qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government. This payment doesn't, however, specifically cover funeral celebrant fees.
AFD is an independent London funeral director. We work with people from all faiths and lend a listening ear at all stages of the process. Let us help you arrange the funeral you want. Call any time on 020 8355 7876 – our lines are always open.
