Funeral Plans

About our pre-paid funeral plans

Planning ahead for your funeral is one of the most thoughtful and caring things you can do. Some people never get round to discussing funeral wishes with their loved ones, which can lead to all sorts of worry and anxiety when the time comes.

Taking out a funeral plan is a simple and straightforward way to remove this worry, and it can provide real financial benefits too. Some of the other benefits include:

• Pre-arrange the details of your funeral and record any special wishes, such as hymns, music choices and any other personal touches you would like your plan to include
• Make financial provision for your funeral
• Choose your funeral director in advance
• Ensure your family has access to expert help and advice at what can be a difficult time.

Our funeral plan is available to UK residents aged 18 and over, and there are no complicated medical forms to complete. You can also appoint a nominated representative who we will keep informed about your plan, according to your instructions.

Our plans cover our costs (as specified in the plan paperwork) as long as we carry out the funeral and your requirements don’t change. You can also make a contribution towards third party costs, such as the cremation fees. These costs are outside of our control.

For more information, please click the link below to download our funeral plans brochure.

Download funeral plans brochure

Financial security

We aim to provide outstanding financial security for your money. All funeral plan pre-payments are held securely in individual whole of life assurance policies for your peace of mind.

Backed by a trusted, national provider

Our funeral plans are provided by Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited, which is part of a specialist, UK-based financial services group.

Flexible payment options

You can choose to pay for your funeral plan by lump sum or in instalments. There is an additional cost for paying over two or more years and eligibility criteria applies.

Once your funeral plan is in place, you’ll receive a welcome booklet containing the details of your plan and your funeral plan certificate. You’re nominated representative will also receive a copy if you request this. Terms and Conditions apply to funeral plans – please ask us if you have any questions.

About our plan provider

Our pre-paid funeral plans are provided by a trusted national provider, Ecclesiastical Planning Services. As part of a specialist, UK-based financial services group, Ecclesiastical Planning Services has offered pre-payment funeral plans since 2006.

When you take out a funeral plan with us, Ecclesiastical Planning Services arranges for the funds to be securely held in individual whole of life assurance policies. Every penny of the full value of your plan, excluding the management fee, is ring-fenced and cannot be used for anything but your funeral when the time comes.

Ecclesiastical Planning Services is part of a large Group that gives available profits to charity and is proud to have been named the UK’s 4th largest corporate donor to charities (2021/22) 1 . In addition, Ecclesiastical Planning Services is recognised by the National Association of Funeral Directors for treating customers fairly, and offering funeral plans which are financially secure and responsibly administered (2022).

Funeral plan FAQs

Here are some of the questions we are often asked about our pre-paid funeral plans.

• Q. Who is eligible?

  UK residents aged 18 or over can take out a plan. For instalment plans payable over 2 years or more, the final instalment must be paid by your 85th birthday. There are no medical or health questions to answer.

• Q. Can the plan include special wishes?

  You can add special wishes and requests such as song choices, readings, information for a eulogy and so on. There is no charge to add these details. There may be more to pay if you require additional features, services or upgrades. You can also appoint a nominated representative, who we will keep informed about your plan according to your instructions.

• Q. What happens if I move to a different part of the country?

  If you move, you should be able to transfer your plan to a funeral director near your new home. However, there may be additional costs depending on local prices. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for details or speak to us for more information.

• Q. Can I buy a funeral plan for someone else?

  Yes, we find that many of our customers choose to do this.

• Q. Can I change my funeral plan arrangements?

  Yes, you can make changes to your plan after you have taken it out and once it is fully-paid. Just let us know what you wish to change. There may be an additional cost if you add new features and services to your plan.

• Q. Does the plan cover the entire cost of the funeral?

  The plan covers the funeral director’s costs listed in the plan details as long as your requirements don’t change and your selected funeral director carries out your funeral. The plan can also include an allowance towards third party costs such as cremation, and officiant’s fees. These costs are outside of our control. If these costs, as listed in the plan details, are not covered by the plan value at the time of need, there will be a balance to pay. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for more information.

• Q. Can I cancel my plan?

  Yes, you can cancel your plan at any time. If you choose to cancel the plan within the cancellation period, you’ll receive a full refund. If you cancel the plan after the cancellation period, you’ll receive a refund of the original amount paid, excluding the administration fee, and any payments to insure an instalment plan.

• Q. Can I pay for my plan by instalments?

  Yes, you are able to pay over a range of periods. There is an additional cost for paying by instalments over two or more years. Eligibility criteria applies.

• Q. What happens if I die abroad?

  The plan does not cover the cost of a funeral abroad, or the cost of repatriating the deceased. It is therefore important that your travel insurance policy covers this. Terms and Conditions apply to funeral plans – please ask us if you have any questions.