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A cultural reluctance to talk about death is costing bereaved families almost £157.1 million every year, a new survey suggests.

A poll, conducted for palliative care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder, found some 59 per cent of people who have arranged a funeral spent beyond their means, with an average overspend of £513.

Almost a third (30 per cent) of those who overspent felt pressure to do so, while 26 per cent worried about being judged if they chose a more modest option.

Among those who had experienced the death of a loved one in the past five years, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) had never discussed end-of-life wishes.

Among respondents who had arranged a funeral, 54 per cent said they were uncertain about key decisions because no conversations had taken place beforehand.

Almost three in 10 who arranged a funeral (29 per cent) felt anxiety at the lack of clarity, while 22 per cent experienced guilt, worrying they had made the wrong choices.

A further 23 per cent revealed they were left confused about what their loved one would have wanted, and more than half (56 per cent) admitted this had resulted in family disagreements lasting an average of 13 months.

open image in gallery Almost three in 10 who arranged a funeral (29 per cent) felt anxiety at the lack of clarity ( Getty/iStock )

Among those who had disagreements within their family, more than two-thirds (67 per cent) said the rift was only resolved when another family member became ill.

Nearly half (48 per cent) feel uneasy talking about dying and death, while 47 per cent said they would not know how to start the conversation.

Sue Ryder chief executive, James Sanderson said: “The nation’s silence about the end of life, and death, can carry a real cost, not just emotionally, but financially too.

“Our research shows 24 per cent of people who have been bereaved in the past five years have never discussed their end-of-life wishes, and as a result, grieving families are left to make emotionally charged and often expensive decisions.

“Talking about what you want at the end of your life is one of the kindest, most practical gifts you can give the people you love.”

More than half of those who had experienced the death of a loved one within the past five years (53 per cent) said they did not know their loved one was nearing the end of life.

While 59 per cent of those who have been bereaved regretted not having a proper opportunity to say goodbye, around half said unresolved issues and unfinished conversations continued to weigh on them.

Sue Ryder has released a guide called Your Death Deserves Better to help people start the conversation about end-of-life wishes.