COSTS of a simple funeral are predicted to rise to more than £5,200 by 2020, according to a new report.

This hike will be on top of a mammoth 80 per cent rise in fees between 2004 and 2014, according to the research by the International Longevity Centre.

Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire believes this data highlights the needs for end of life planning.

The charity’s own studies reveal 2.1 million people aged over-60 don’t know how the cost of their funeral would be met and almost two-thirds have not made any plans for their funeral.

Vanessa Mann,of Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “Where and how we are finally laid to rest is one aspect of a dignified end of life.

“Of course, it’s a sensitive issue, but discussing wishes with family and considering well in advance the practical arrangements for a funeral and how it should be paid for can save a lot of worry and difficulty at a deeply upsetting time.”

Age UK offers a variety of guaranteed funeral plans in association with Dignity, the UK’s leading provider of funeral plans.

For more details call Age UK on 0800 3287314.