Cremation vs Burial

Budget

If you are considering a Burial in your Local Authority Cemetery, charges are much lower for the Borough's residents than for non-residents. However, the cemetery may not be located within the Borough and won’t necessarily be the nearest one to where you live, so burial costs may have a substantial impact on the price of a budget funeral. Natural burial grounds are often competitive, but are located further afield.  Woodland burial grounds don’t usually allow gravestones, so the cost of a grave-marker made of wood will be much less than one in stone. Gravestones currently cost upwards of £1,000.

Even if your family owns an existing plot, the cost of just digging the existing grave may be higher than you anticipate and is sometimes more expensive than a cremation.  There will be a charge for adding a name to the headstone and there may be a fee for temporarily removing the stone memorial if this is necessary in order for the burial to take place.

Although burial is more expensive than cremation, the DWP will contribute to, or cover, the cost of a burial for those on benefits and entitled to assistance from the Social Fund.  However, they will only reimburse you for the cost of the very cheapest private grave available in your area.  They won’t help you to pay for a gravestone or marker.

Cremation fees in the London area are around £600 to £750.  If you hold the funeral before 10am, a cheaper rate is available at some crematoria.

Direct Cremation is the least expensive method of committal offered by Levertons. This is a more basic option and not necessarily suitable for everyone.

Lasting memorials for cremated remains

Cemeteries offer small plots or ‘niches’ for the interment of ashes at a lower cost than buying a grave.  If your family own a grave, the cost of burying ashes is much lower than interring a coffin and the deceased can be added to the existing gravestone.  Most crematoria offer a variety of memorials which can be purchased for a number of years, from rosebushes with plaques to stone memorials.


Environmental pros and cons

We at Levertons have examined the environmental impact of relatively local burial, woodland burial and cremation.  Each method has some negative impact, and it is debatable which causes least damage to our environment. Our view is that it is still a matter of personal choice.

Immediate Assistance

In the case of someone dying at home, or if you need to contact us for immediate assistance out of our office hours, please do call us. We can arrange collection at any time of day or night:

As with my father's funeral in 2018, the arrangements were absolutely perfect. A huge thank you to Drew and company.

Review by Neil M left on 31 Mar 2025

Google

Katheryn was very sympathetic, and advise me through all the stages, the day of the funeral went smoothly I was very happy with Leverton’s service

Review by Brigid H left on 20 Mar 2025

TRUSTist

Efficient and sensitive service, over and above that which I was expecting.

Review by JANE O left on 20 Mar 2025

TRUSTist

Review by Mark Y left on 20 Mar 2025

Google

I felt very well supported by Levertons and Craig in particular, as I went through the process of arranging my mother's funeral. Everything was considered from arrangements with the church and the vicar to the order of service and the flowers. Levertons could not have been more efficient or kinder.

Review by Harriet S left on 19 Mar 2025

TRUSTist

Very helpfull to my husband Michael Walford every step of the way under difficult circumstances. Madalena was given a the send off she would have loved

Review by Catherine A left on 19 Mar 2025

Google

Lorna from Leverton and Sons , Kentish Town was very sympathetic and helpful from the initial first phone call to following up after the funeral. She guided us through every step and the service on the day went as planned.

Review by Helen F left on 14 Mar 2025

Google

Very sensitive, good at explaining everything, helpful suggestions, responsive

Review by becky f left on 14 Mar 2025

Google

I can't recommend Leverton&Sons enough. When my father passed away on the 5th Feb me and my sister searched for a funeral home we thought would be suitable for my father. We checked 3 different ones and Leverton&Sons made us feel comfortable and supported. Lorna was amazing, really supportive and had all the knowledge of how to handle the funeral. We had loads of questions and was at lost, as this was the first death in the family we had to deal with and she accomdated to every question and need. The service we had for our father was beautiful and we couldn't have done this without the help and knowledge from Levertons. Going through grief is a big thing especially when you have to worry about the formalities of a funeral but Levertons, especially Lorna made it easy for us to understand and to plan out what we needed to do to help give our father a send off he deserved. I'm really happy we chose Levertons. 100% would recommend using them.

Review by M Gomez left on 14 Mar 2025

Google

My family and friends have been using Levertons for over 50 years due to their excellent service. On my recent visit to arrange my Mum's cremation it was dealt with by Lorna who has a very kind, caring and professional manner. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Levertons.

Review by Hayley W left on 11 Mar 2025

Google

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