Adults typically start thinking about their own funeral at the age of 51, study finds

The typical adult starts thinking about their own funeral at the age of 51, according to a study. Research, of 2,000 people, found the most common triggers to consider our mortality are the loss of a loved one, health scares, and the general ageing process.

Eight in 10 said they began pondering their own longevity once they started regularly attending other people’s funerals. And 38 percent believe once you look ahead, you tend to consider the meaning of life – and death itself, as well.

However, 24 percent have no intention of thinking ahead as far down the line as their own send-off.

A spokesman from British Seniors, which recently released their Funeral Cost Report, and commissioned the study, said: “The research has revealed an interesting take on when you start to think about death.

“We thought it was interesting to see it wasn’t until the early 50s, on average, that many would start to consider their own funeral.

“It’s something that, in our younger years, you don’t give a second thought – but clearly, once you reach a certain age, it becomes a realistic prospect, and one that does require some planning.”

It also emerged 54 percent of respondents did not have a will, with 53 percent of those simply saying they “haven’t got round to it” yet. But 23 percent didn’t think they were old enough to have one, according to the OnePoll data.

When it comes to organising a funeral, 34 percent thought it would be easy to do so, although 30 percent imagined it would be hard work.

And if respondents were to suffer a family bereavement now, 27 percent didn’t think they could afford the associated costs, with a further 23 percent unsure whether they had enough in the bank.

The study also found three in 10 (29 percent) didn’t have a clue how much a funeral typically costs – with one in six feeling anxious as to how they’d afford one for a relative during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

For their own funeral, 33 percent have sufficient cash set aside, to the tune of more than £3,900, on average – while one in five have life insurance.

However, of the 34 percent who have nothing in place to cover their send-off, 29 percent said they can’t afford to do so – and 26 percent consider themselves too young to think about it.

The spokesman from British Seniors added: “It’s something that’s often considered sad and sombre, with many preferring not to think about it at all.

“However, life insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing that when the day eventually does come, it won’t be landing on those closest to them to pay for something quite costly. By getting some cover sorted, you can focus on living life to the fullest with peace of mind.”