BEST FUNERAL PLANS | March 2024 | A Complete Guide
Best Funeral Plans

Best Funeral Plans

Which is the best funeral plan?

When it comes to a funeral plan, one size doesn’t fit all. What makes a good funeral plan for one person, won’t be the same as another. So then, how do you choose the best funeral plan for you?

First, you want to think about the kind of funeral you desire. Do you want to find the cheapest prepaid funeral plan possible? Or do you want to find funeral plan providers that can arrange a bespoke plan for your complex funeral wishes? 

Topics that you will find covered on this page

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You should also think about what kind of pre paid plan you can afford, and how you will choose to pay. Most providers offer the plan holder the option of:

  •  a single payment 
  •  monthly payments

Once you have thought about your payment options, you can start looking at plan providers. As well as the basic funeral services and funeral costs, you should check finer details with funeral plan providers. This is so you are clear on what exactly comes included with  the plan.

For example, you might want to check whether they will cover the cost of any third party fees that arise. Or, you might want to ask if the plans include the cost of specific funeral services, such as cremation fees. 

After checking the fine details you can see how the different plans compare. Look at what the plans offer, the funeral costs covered,  and any third party costs they do not cover. Check how they want you to pay for your plan, too. 

Finally, check that the provider is registered with the Funeral Planning Authority, since your plan will not be authorised and regulated by the financial authority of conduct

Here is a useful video explaining what makes up a good funeral plan.

Are Funeral plans a good idea?

Given the trend of rising funeral costs in the UK, the answer for many is yes. Pre paid funeral plans are gaining popularity because of this trend. 

Upon hearing this, many ask ‘How much does a funeral cost?’ Well, in 2020/2021 the average cost was £4200. This is why many think that yes, funeral plans are a good idea. 

When the time comes to plan a funeral and pay for a funeral, will your loved ones be able to cope- both financially and emotionally? 

The cost of a funeral can be a problem for many families whose loved ones didn’t take out even a basic funeral plan or life insurance. If you are worried about whether your family can afford your funeral, it might be time to say yes to a prepaid arrangement.

What do funeral plans normally cover? 

This depends on the funeral plan provider and type of plan you choose. The Co-op, for example, offer the Co-op simple, Co-op bronze, Co-op Silver and Co-op Gold packages. Each comes with different benefits, and is priced accordingly. 

Almost all pre paid funeral plans guarantee to cover things such as the director fees, cremation fees, the service, and the coffin. However, the very cheapest plans have no service and so only cover cremation costs. 

Some funeral plans offer more benefits, such as the option to visit the deceased in the chapel of rest and guest transportation. Visiting the chapel of rest can really help those grieving, so is a popular benefit to include for many. 

Ultimately, no two funeral plans are the same. To find out what is covered by funeral plans you will need to look at the specific terms and conditions of the funeral plans. This can be a time-consuming aspect of funeral planning, but is important to make sure you get everything you want. 

What is the average cost of a prepaid funeral?

How much a plan will cost depends on the specifics of the funeral arrangement, as well as the provider. 

The cheapest possible plans include a simple cremation without a funeral ceremony. Depending on the funeral provider and payment options, this can cost from £1300 to £1800. 

However, these cheap plans only include the cost of cremation fees, normally. If you want an independent funeral director, funeral procession, etc. you will spend more. The cost will rise further if you go beyond a basic plan and accrue third party costs.  

It is also important to remember that whilst the cremation fee is always covered, funeral plan providers rarely cover burial fees. Burial plots and other costs have to normally be paid for separately. 

Do I have other options if I can’t find prepaid funeral plans that suit me?

Yes, you have a few other ways to finance your funeral. 

One option is to create a savings account that you invest money in. You can tell your family that you have put aside this money to pay for your funeral, and detail your preferences. 

Whilst this alleviates the problem of funeral expenses, your family will still have to do all of the arranging by themselves. They will have to contact a local funeral director and funeral home, for example. 

Furthermore, with rising funeral costs they might find that the savings do not cover all of the funeral director’s fees. So, by not paying for your funeral in advance there is a risk that your family have to contribute. 

Another potential strategy is to get yourself a life insurance policy, such as over 50s plans. This option, like a pre paid funeral plan, is good as it decreases the value of your estate. This means it reduces your inheritance tax. However, life insurance will not protect against inflating funeral costs.

Another option is taking out funeral insurance for yourself. You can normally buy this from a life insurance company. You pay premiums to the third party insurance provider and then they guarantee to cover funeral services, like the funeral service, 

Best Funeral Plan Provider

Is it possible to get funeral plans for two people?

Yes, you can find great funeral plans that let you put down two names on one plan. This only covers the cost of one person’s funeral, though. 

Normally, if you put two names down the person that passes first has their funeral funded by the plan. This is how Age Co and the Co-op deal with joint plans, for example.

However, the exact details differ depending on who the provider of your plan is. 

For instance, Golden Charter offers transferable plans if you pay either all at once, or pay a deposit and then pay monthly. If you decide to pay in monthly instalments without a deposit then you cannot transfer your plan. 

So, if you want to put down both your and your partner’s name on a prepaid funeral plan you should ask about the cost and details when choosing your plan. 

"When it comes to a funeral plan, one size doesn’t fit all. What makes a good funeral plan for one person, wont be the same as another. So then, how do you choose the best funeral plan for you?"

If I want a cheap funeral, are there good plans available?

Yes, for the very cheapest funeral the best plan is one that delivers a simple funeral. The costs are significantly lower because no funeral director is involved. 

The drawback to a simple funeral is that you or your family have to arrange a lot of the funeral yourself. More expensive plans cover registration of the death, paperwork, cremation applications, etc. 

These cheap plans are often called a ‘direct cremation’ plan. 

If you want to shop for cheap funeral plans, take a look at  a Dignity Funeral Plan (Dignity Limited), Pure Cremation, and Golden Charter.

Are price comparison websites useful for finding the best funeral plan?

Yes, price comparison websites are a great way of filtering funeral plans based on price and general services. However, the filters are limited and not all funeral plan providers will be included in the search. 

This is why we recommend using a price comparison website as one PART of your prepaid plan search. In addition, we recommend that you check out reviews about the chosen funeral director and provider, as well as investigating smaller and local companies that might offer better deals. 

Be sure to check that the prepaid funeral plans you consider come from companies that are members of the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA). This is to protect you from being scammed, or being over-charged for monthly payments. 

Can I pay for my funeral plan in instalments? 

Yes, almost all providers will give you the option to make payments in  monthly instalments. These can be spread over 12 months, or longer should you wish.

However, a lump sum/single payment might be better, should you be able to afford it. This is because if you pay in monthly instalments you often end up paying more in the long run than you would do if you made a single payment.

What many companies now do is give you the option to pay in instalments for the first 12 months with no extra charge. This gives you 12 months to save up the money needed to pay off the rest of the funeral plan.

If you still need to pay in instalments after these 12 months, then the monthly fee will increase slightly. So, it gives those that cannot afford the single payment straight away time to find the money and not incur extra charges.

Am I able to cancel my plan?

Yes, you can normally cancel a plan. 

Different funeral plans have different rules when it comes to cancelling. Most funeral plans let you cancel for free in the first 30 days after you buy it. If you cancel after this point you normally have to pay a cancellation fee. 

You will need to check the T’s and C’s of your plan for details about cancellation fees. At the Co-op, for example, it is £250 for funeral plans and £100 for masonry ones. 

How do I choose a provider to arrange a funeral with?

First, you want to consider the cost, and how you wish to pay. Many providers will give you the option to pay in either a single payment or with regular small payments. Before you say yes to paying instalments, make sure you check what the total cost amounts to.

Secondly, you might want to think about the options they have when it comes to funeral directors. Different companies work with a different number of directors. Since funeral director’s fees vary, the ones they work with could affect your bill. 

Thirdly, you need to figure out if you want a cremation or burial. Many companies do not cover burial fees. Others do, but only up to a certain value. 

For example, Golden Charter’s standard package cover fees up to £1,100. The Co-op bronze package covers all costs for a cremation or burial, but not the plot. 

Fourthly, doctors fees are important to consider. With a Co-op contract doctor’s fees are covered. However, Age, UK do not cover doctors fees. 

You should also check whether third party fees will be covered by the provider. The Co-op, for example, do cover third party fees. However, other companies do not cover all third party fees and instead give an allowance for third party costs. 

Another factor for consideration is whether you want a choice of funeral director. The Co-op, and many other companies do not give you a choice, unfortunately. So, think about whether choosing a specific funeral director matters to you or not.

Finally, remember that funeral plans rarely cover the bill for a burial plot. So, if you do not want to be cremated in a crematorium you will need to buy a burial plot separately. 

What are the best funeral plans available?

Ultimately, what makes a funeral plan right for you depends on your unique personal circumstances and preferences. For some the main priority is price. For others, they want trusted funeral directors and are willing to spend more for a top-quality service. 

Many people decide to take out funeral plans to protect people close to them from financial difficulties. This means that they prioritise a guaranteed funeral plan. A guaranteed plan means all fees (funeral director fees, the minister’s fee, and third party costs) are covered by your plan provider.

If you do not go for a guaranteed contract then your family might be hit with additional bills after your funeral.

Article author

Katy Davies

I am a keen reader and writer and have been helping to write and produce the legal content for the site since the launch.   I studied for a law degree at Manchester University and I use that theoretical experience, as well as my practical experience as a solicitor, to help produce legal content which I hope you find helpful.

Outside of work, I love the snow and am a keen snowboarder.  Most winters you will see me trying to get away for long weekends to the slopes in Switzerland or France.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Funeral plans a good idea?

Given the trend of rising funeral costs in the UK, the answer for many is yes. Pre paid funeral plans are gaining popularity because of this trend. 

What is the average cost of a prepaid funeral?

How much a plan will cost depends on the specifics of the funeral arrangement, as well as the provider. 

The cheapest possible plans include a simple cremation without a funeral ceremony. Depending on the funeral provider and payment options, this can cost from £1300 to £1800. 

Is it possible to get funeral plans for two people?

Yes, you can find great funeral plans that let you put down two names on one plan. This only covers the cost of one person’s funeral, though. 

What companies should I consider for my funeral insurance? 

In total there are 27 different funeral planning companies we recommend. These are the 27 that are registered with the funeral planning authority (FPA) and therefore provide reliable and safe funeral cover. 

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