Funeral costs reach record high as one in five families struggle to pay

Funerals are costing more, with the average cost of a simple service costing more than £4,000 (Alamy/PA) -

The average cost of a simple funeral has reached a record £4,285, with one in five families struggling to pay, annual figures show.

The figure has risen 3.5% in a year, while the overall cost of dying has reached £9,797, according to the 21st SunLife Cost of Dying report.