Understanding the Costs of Funerals

What’s on offer?

Please come along and hear about the University of Manchester’s research on funeral costs and also to share your views and experiences.

This 3-hour exhibition event will highlight our research findings and signpost attendees to support and advice when planning a funeral, such as Citizens Advice and Age UK.

The exhibition will take the form of a series of posters highlighting the financial issues facing older people. The posters will include anonymised quotes from the interviewees. The issue of funerals is very sensitive, but our research has shown that it is something many older people are keen to talk about.

Leaflets will also be given out with information on the research and the findings for audience members to take home.

What’s it about?

Our research has focused on the financial challenges older people (aged 65 years and older) on low incomes across Greater Manchester and nationally can face when planning and paying for the costs of a funeral since the COVID-19 pandemic. Funeral costs have increased considerably under the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the UK, 1.8 million pensioners (15%) live in poverty. In Greater Manchester it is estimated that around 50,000 older people live in poverty. As women live longer on average than men, funeral costs and debts can often fall to women. Moreover, many older people die without a next of kin.

Our research has highlighted the limited financial resources many older people have to meet the costs of their funerals and those of family members. The interviews have highlighted the determination of many older people living on low incomes not to burden their families with debts after their death. However many older people also reported being reliant on a range of people and charity organisations when trying to cover the costs of a funeral.

Who’s leading the event?

Dr Georgia Chatzi

Open to

Everyone

Of particular interest to

This event is expected to be of particular interest to Manchester residents over the age of 65

Event Booking details

No need to book, just turn up on the day