Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Deathbed Marriages Rise for Financial Benefits
More people are getting married when they are very sick and not expected to live much longer.
This is called a deathbed marriage.
The number of these marriages has gone up by 13.5% in the past year.
Couples do this to save money on taxes when one partner dies.
If they are not married, the surviving partner has to pay a lot of money in taxes.
For example, a famous comedian named Ken Dodd married his partner just two days before he died, which saved her almost £11 million in taxes.
Many couples live together without getting married, but when one partner is very sick, they realize it's better to get married to save money.
Deathbed marriages have increased by 13.5% in the past year.
Over 1,600 couples applied for short-notice marriages in England and Wales in 2025.
Cohabiting couples face a 40% inheritance tax on assets over £325,000.
Marriage allows partners to inherit assets tax-free and secure pension benefits.
Ken Dodd's last-minute marriage saved his widow almost £11 million in taxes.
- Who
- Cohabiting couples and terminally ill individuals
- What
- Increase in deathbed marriages for financial benefits
- When
- Year up to March 2025
- Where
- England and Wales
- Why
- To avoid inheritance tax and secure pension benefits
- Increase in Deathbed Marriages
- 13.5% in the past year
- Short-Notice Marriages in 2025
- 1,600 couples
- Inheritance Tax Rate
- 40% on assets over £325,000 for cohabiting partners
- Percentage of Cohabiting Couples (2022)
- 22.7%
- Ken Dodd's Estate
- £27.8 million
- Tax Savings for Ken Dodd's Widow
- Almost £11 million