A funeral plan is an upfront payment you make to cover the costs of a funeral beforehand. Funeral plans vary in terms of cost and exactly what is included in the plan. A funeral plan cost will vary among providers, and you should compare funeral plans before settling on one.
In this article we will look at what makes a good funeral plan and how you can compare funeral plans.
We recommend that as a minimum you select cheap funeral plans or the best value plans that provide the basics and flexibility for customisation. However, if you want a lot of features then you are better looking for the best funeral plan that you can afford.
This video provides you with some useful information on what a funeral plan is.
Legacy information
On the table below you can compare the best funeral plans. Note that these pricesa re now out of date.
| Golden Leaves | £1,664 |
|---|---|
| Co-op funeral services | £2,895 |
| Safe Hands | £2,390 |
| Golden Charter | £2,895 |
| Sunlife Funeral Plan | £2,800 |
| Avalon Funeral Plans | £2,750 |
| Dignity Funeral Services | £2,795 |
| Age Co | £2,770 |
| Open Prepaid Funeral Plans | £2,995 |
| Pride Planning | £2,495 |
More information on these top 10 funeral plans can be found later on in this article.
We have set out below what you would typically find included in a funeral plan.
We have set out below the diffferences you may find between different funeral plans.
You may decide to make long-term monthly payments or a lump sum payment.
A funeral plan will cost between £3000 for cheaper plans and £5000 for comprehensive plans. Funeral plans offer the biggest savings when you make the payment a few years before you think you need it and make the payment upfront.
Monthly funeral plans are more manageable but attract more interest which means they cost more. Also, make payments when funeral plan providers offer discounts. Compare funeral plans and select cheap funeral plans with guaranteed price protection against inflation to avoid incurring extra fees in the future.
An over-50s insurance plan will pay out a single amount to the family of the affected. Unfortunately, the lump sum payout is not subject to inflation which means that you may end up paying more than you can claim. You can also pay your funeral costs from your estate when you die.
Funeral insurance is an insurance policy taken out to cover the burial cost after you die and is popularly provided by life insurance policy providers. Like other insurances, you are required to pay a premium for several years. Unlike funeral plans, funeral insurance will cover the costs of additional items such as flowers and catering.
Golden Leaves offers great pre-paid funeral plans starting from £19.57 per month. The plans are grouped into Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, which means that you have a wider selection to choose from.
These plans are also fully guaranteed, and we believe the only one’s like this in the UK.
Each plan includes a funeral director’s professional services, advice on funeral registration and documentation, collection of the deceased from the hospital or coroner, care of the deceased, a coffin and a hearse.
The single payments per funeral cover are:
Coop Funeral care is a leading service provider in the UK. Unlike other providers, Co-op covers all third-party costs and guarantees all plans. The plans are separated into cremation and burial plans, with each category housing Simple, Bronze, Silver, and Gold prepaid funeral plans.
Cremation Funeral Plans
Burial Funeral Plans
An instalment charge is included if you choose to pay from 2-25 years. A limit on 80 years is set for the plan purchaser. The burial fees include fees for the church service and gravedigger but do not include the cost of the burial plot.
The Golden Charter funeral director’s network is one of the largest in the UK. All payments towards funeral plans are directed to an independent Golden Charter trust that is operated by an independent board of trustees to ensure all future payments are made.
The following are the available plans. Each calculation is based on a 50 years old paying low-cost instalments with a £49 deposit.
Each plan includes an allowance towards third party costs and depends on the plan you select. The Value plan has an £800 allowance while the Standard, Select, and Premier Plans comprise a £1,100 allowance.
The Sunlife funeral plans start from as low as £9.25 a month, and you can easily get a quote from their website. The company provides three levels of funeral covers namely- Direct cremation, Traditional, and Traditional Plus.
Sunlife works together with Dignity to provide Funeral services. Dignity will provide a funeral director when the time comes, and your life insurance pay-out goes directly to them. Dignity will contact your family and let them know where the nearest Dignity funeral director is located.
If you wish to be cremated, your family will be directed to the nearest Simplicity Cremations, who also operate under dignity. Note that anything not included in the funeral plan summary will not be paid for and your family will cover the payment.
Each level of cover includes access to a Dignity Funeral Director, collection, preparation, and 24/7 bereavement counselling.
Avalon has been operating for more than 20 years to provide exemplary Funeral services. The costs of a Funeral Director are fixed at today’s cost with an allowance to cover third party costs, from £17.76 p/m for the Cremation Only plan.
The funeral plans are:
Each plan includes preparation of the deceased, a hearse, transport to the funeral home, advice on funeral arrangements and certification and an allowance towards cremation/cemetery fee, a doctor’s fee, and minister’s fee.
This is a leading funeral plan provider with more than 800 funeral directors in local communities across the UK. Dignity Funerals offers four prepaid funeral plans which guarantee to cover the funeral director’s fees for a burial or cremation.
Dignity has a Defaqto 5 Star Rating for the Diamond Funeral Plan, making it one of the best funeral plans on the UK. The following are Dignity Funeral’s plans currently on offer:
The limousine for mourners is available in the Pearl Plan and Diamond plan. Each plan remains intact if you move, and you have an opportunity to personalize the plan by selecting hymns and bible readings.
All the plans from Age Co guarantee to cover the funeral services’ cost included in your plan. Each plan allows flexibility and covers the funeral director’s fee and the minister’s fee. Care of the deceased and advice is also provided. The plans are:
Basic: £2,770 single payment or £14.57 per month
Ivy: £3,170 single payment or £16.67 per month
Holly: £3,525 single payment or £18.54 per month
Rowan: £3,770 single payment or £19.83 per month
Open Prepaid offers four funeral plans for you to choose from:
Simple Plus/ Simple Prepaid Funeral Plan
Fully inclusive price single payment of £2,995 or £1,895 or monthly instalments from £29.56 or £17.95.
The Direct Cremation Plan
This plan goes for £1,845. It includes a funeral director plus a contribution of £1,100.00 towards 3rd party fees.
The Traditional Plan
This plan is available at a single payment of £3,550 or monthly instalments starting from £35.42. The plan also includes a fee for 3rd party costs and a limousine.
The Select Plan
This plan is available at £4,100 or monthly instalments of £41.23. It also includes a contribution of £1,100.00 towards 3rd party fees, two limousines for mourners and a funeral director..
Pride planning offers affordable funeral plans within average price of a funeral plan in the UK. The plans are:
Each plan includes attendance to necessary funeral arrangements, advice on registration and certification and a hearse. The last two plans included a limousine for the mourners and a full list of floral tributes.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is a government-backed programme that safeguards consumers if authorised financial service providers fail or become insolvent.
In prepayment funeral plans, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) may protect your investment if the funeral plan provider is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and unable to fulfil their obligations due to insolvency.
To ensure the security of your investment, you must only work with authorised funeral plan providers. By choosing a provider covered by the FSCS, you can have peace of mind knowing that your funds are protected and accessible for the funeral service.
Depending on the funeral director, location, and services included in the prearranged funeral plan, cremation costs may vary. Some plans include cremation costs as part of the package, while others contribute to these expenses.
Costs associated with cremation may include the actual cremation procedure, use of the crematorium chapel, and any necessary paperwork. It is crucial to compare plans and comprehend what is covered to prevent unanticipated costs for your loved ones.
Identifying the most suitable option for your needs can be accomplished by comparing the prepayment funeral plans of various funeral providers and considering the vast number of funeral plan providers on the market.
Consider their reputation, whether they are an independent funeral director or part of a larger network, and their location with your desired funeral service location when selecting a funeral director for your prepaid funeral plan.
Independent funeral directors are typically smaller, locally-owned businesses that may offer more individualised services than larger corporations.
In addition, consider the variety of services they provide, their pricing, and whether or not they are an authorised provider of funeral plans.
Checking customer reviews and asking for referrals from family and friends can also provide insight into the service quality of a particular funeral director.
Some pre-paid funeral plans may include doctors’ fees, which are typically required for the issuance of medical certificates and permits for cremation. In contrast, others may only provide a contribution towards these costs.
Due to the variability of doctor’s fees, it is essential to determine whether your chosen plan covers them and, if not, how much you may need to budget for these costs. Inquire, when comparing plans, about the extent to which doctors’ fees and additional charges are covered.
The cancellation fees charged by prepayment funeral plan providers vary. Some providers may permit you to modify or cancel your plan without incurring a fee, whereas others may impose a cancellation fee.
Before enrolling in a plan, it is essential to understand the provider’s cancellation policy and any associated fees. Review the plan’s terms and conditions carefully to determine any fees associated with changes or cancellations.
Sometimes, a provider may permit you to transfer your plan to someone else or upgrade to a different one without a cancellation fee.
Prepaid funeral plans allow you to lock in funeral costs at today’s rates, which could be advantageous if funeral expenses continue to rise.
By paying for your funeral in advance, you can avoid inflation-related price increases and ensure your loved ones will have a more affordable service.
A pre-paid funeral plan allows you to plan and control your funeral costs. In some instances, selecting a basic or more affordable funeral can help reduce the overall cost, and a prepayment plan can help you better manage these costs.
The quality of the casket can significantly impact the total price of a prearranged funeral plan.
Typically, coffins of higher quality are more expensive, so selecting a prepaid funeral plan that includes a coffin of higher quality will likely increase the plan’s total cost.
Consider the type and quality of the coffin, as well as your preferences and budget, when comparing funeral plans. Materials, finishes, and craftsmanship all influence the price of a coffin, with options ranging from simple wooden coffins to elaborate and decorative designs.
Common payment structures for pre-need funeral plans include a fixed monthly premium and monthly payment options.
A fixed monthly premium entails paying a fixed amount each month for a predetermined period, typically until a certain age or until the plan’s total cost is covered.
This option offers predictability, as the monthly payment remains constant for the payment term.
On the other hand, pay monthly options involve spreading the cost of a pre-paid funeral plan over a longer period, with typically more flexible payment terms.
Those who prefer not to commit to a fixed payment schedule or who wish to adjust their payments based on their financial circumstances may find this option more suitable.
Frequently, funeral plan providers use trust funds to safely hold and manage the money paid for a pre-paid funeral plan. These funds are intended to ensure that money is available and secure when it is required to pay for funeral expenses.
Typically, independent trustees oversee and regulate trust funds to ensure compliance with financial regulations.
When selecting a funeral plan provider, ensuring that a reputable trust fund manages your investment is crucial.
Local council involvement in prepayment funeral plans may be necessary if a person dies without a prepayment plan or adequate funds to cover funeral expenses.
In these instances, the local council may arrange a public service funeral, which entails the most fundamental funeral arrangements. Typically, this service is brief, and the deceased’s family may have limited input into funeral arrangements.
Consider the following factors when comparing affordable funeral plans:
Evaluate the services included in the plan, such as the funeral service, cremation or burial costs, doctor’s fees, and any additional costs. Ensure that the plan covers all aspects of a funeral, including the required documentation and permits.
Consider the plan’s adaptability, such as making changes or upgrades without incurring substantial fees. Some service providers may provide more adaptable plans that can be modified as your preferences or circumstances change.
Investigate the funeral plan provider’s reputation, including customer service, financial stability, and authorization as funeral plan providers.
Evaluate the available payment options, such as fixed monthly premiums and pay-per-month options, and determine which one best suits your financial situation.
Ensure that the funeral plan provider uses a reputable trust fund to manage and safeguard your investment.
By considering these factors and comparing prepaid funeral plans from different providers, you can make a more informed decision regarding the best and most cost-effective option for your needs.
Prepaid funeral plans allow you to plan and pay for your funeral in advance. Typically, they cover funeral services, including the coffin, funeral home fees, and other costs.
One of the primary advantages of having a funeral plan is that it can reduce the financial burden on your loved ones after your death. By prepaying for your funeral expenses, you can ensure your family will not be responsible for covering the costs. In addition, having a funeral plan can provide you with the peace of mind that your funeral wishes will be carried out as you intended.
When searching for a funeral plan, it is important to consider the price, the services included, and the provider’s reputation. Additionally, you should ensure the plan is adaptable and tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
Incorporating custom funeral patches is one way to make your funeral plan more personalised.
These patches can be designed to feature images, quotes or symbols that hold special meaning to you or your loved ones.
Custom patches can be attached to clothing, creating a unique and memorable tribute. Including custom funeral patches in your plan ensures that your final farewell reflects your individuality and honors your life meaningfully. Work with your funeral provider to explore different options and create a funeral plan that truly represents you. Check here for custom patches.
The optimal funeral plan will depend on your specific needs and preferences. However, when selecting a funeral plan, it is important to consider the cost, the level of service provided, and the provider’s reputation. You should research and compare various funeral plans from reputable providers to determine which one is best for you. Additionally, it may be beneficial to consult a financial advisor or funeral planning expert to ensure that you are making an informed choice.
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