Pre-paid Funeral Plans

Most people believe that they only need put a clause in their Will or leave a letter specifying burial or cremation, religious preferences and other details. This is a myth. Executors are under no obligation to carry out funeral wishes, even if expressed in a Will, and may deal with the funeral however they wish.

Clients often worry about the financial implications. For some this is no problem as there always will be enough money in the estate, or relatives will pay for the funeral. For many, however, money could be a problem, and the very thought of leaving relatives to pick up the bill is unacceptable.

Saving money for a funeral in a bank or building society or insurance policies is unpredictable. You can never be sure there will be enough, as funeral costs tend to rise faster than individual savings media. Clients then tend to set aside more than necessary, even though, eventually, executors are under no obligation even to spend the money on the funeral!

Others, naturally, have strong personal feelings about their funerals and, whilst reluctant to leave decisions such as burial or cremation to chance or to relatives' discretion, are unaware of alternatives. It is often only during taking Will instructions that these issues come to the surface ? maybe for the first and only time in the client?s life ? and decisions can be taken to deal with the matter once and for all. For the client, the peace of mind is priceless.

A Guaranteed Funeral Plan ensures that the Funeral Director's services will be paid for and the client's wishes will be carried out exactly as they would have wished. The plan guarantees that there never will be more to pay for these services, however far into the future they may be required. The plans cost no more than a funeral today and can be paid for by a lump sum, instalments or a combination of lump sum and instalments.

The plan provider is Funeral Planning Services Limited, based in Norwich, who operate nationally providing Funeral Plans for the funeral, legal and financial professions. Members of The National Association for Pre-Paid Funeral Plans they are registered with The Funeral Planning Authority.

To ensure maximum protection for clients, all payments for the plans are held in the Funeral Planning Trust which is managed by independent Trustees and monitored by The Funeral Planning Authority.

Typical Pre-paid Funeral Plan Cost (2011)

ECONOMICAL
A simple Funeral providing basic requirements

• Guidance on registration of death and advice on social and religious matters.
• Collection of deceased within10 miles* of the Funeral Director during normal office hours.
• Care of the deceased. There are no facilities for viewing in this Plan.
• A plain coffin.
• The Funeral Director will make all the arrangements, liaise with the minister and others involved and attend to the necessary administration.
• The supply of a hearse with a Funeral Director and staff to meet the family at the local crematorium or cemetery. There is no procession in this Plan.
• A contribution towards other expenses or ?disbursements? such as cemetery or crematorium fees, and a minister's fee.

TRADITIONAL
Provides what most people expect from a Funeral. This Plan provides all the facilities of the ECONOMICAL Funeral but, in addition, will provide

• Collection of the deceased within 50 miles* of the Funeral Director, any time, day or night.
• Care of the deceased in accordance with the wishes of the family and facilities for viewing at the Funeral Director's chapel of rest.
• A veneered coffin with traditional fittings, gown and interior lining.
• A limousine to follow the hearse and a Funeral Director and full compliment of uniformed staff. A procession can leave from a private address prior to a Funeral service at a local place of worship followed by a committal service at a local crematorium or cemetery.
• A listing of flowers and charitable donations received.

CLASSICAL
A very high quality Funeral with superior coffin and two limousines. This Plan provides all the facilities of the TRADITIONAL Funeral but, in addition, will provide

• Collection of the deceased from anywhere in the United Kingdom*, any time, day or night. (*excludes ferry and/or toll charges)
• A superior quality coffin.
• Two limousines to follow the hearse.
• A local newspaper notice.

How do I find out more?
» Arrange a FREE home visit with WSS