With an average UK life expectancy of 81 years1, it’s understandable that people in their 30s or 40s typically aren’t prioritising their funeral plans. However, the younger you are when you take out a funeral plan, the greater the potential savings could be. That’s why Golden Charter funeral plans are available to all UK residents2.
Long-term savings
A funeral plan lets you organise and pay for your funeral in advance. Plan holders can help save their families both worry and expense by specifying their funeral wishes and covering the cost of the funeral director’s services included in their plan3. These are the funeral director’s own services, which will vary depending on the plan you choose. Our plans also include an allowance towards third party costs. These are essential, non-funeral director services such as the cremation or burial fees, plus the minister or officiant’s fee to perform the service.
Industry research shows that average funeral costs (specifically a burial or cremation, funeral director fees, doctor/celebrant fees, one limousine, and a mid-range coffin) have risen by 126% since 20044. Despite some decreases in recent years, SunLife forecasts these costs will rise by nearly £1,000 by 2028. If so, locking in the price of your funeral director’s services now could mean real long term savings.
What does a funeral plan include?
Pre-paid funeral plans don’t always cover the entire cost of a funeral, but most will typically cover the services of the funeral director. Here at Golden Charter, each of our funeral plans include transportation of the body to the funeral director’s premises, and to a cremation or burial site. Care of the body and a coffin are also included. Our website breaks down what’s included in each plan, as well as what’s not included. Our network of UK funeral directors also offer Independent Way funeral plans, which can be personalised depending on your preferences.
While third party costs like crematorium or celebrant fees are not protected against inflation, Golden Charter’s funeral plans include an allowance towards these costs. This allowance will depend on the plan.
No age restrictions
Golden Charter’s funeral plans are available to all UK residents, regardless of age. There are no maximum or minimum age limits for customers paying for a funeral plan with a single payment or with 12 monthly payments.
Payments can also be made in instalments over an agreed term of between two and 15 years (or two and 10 years if you choose the Basic Plan). While there is an upper age limit for customers choosing to pay for their funeral plan by instalment - customers must be aged under 78 at the start date of your funeral plan and pay the total cost by your 80th birthday - there is no lower age limit.
Funeral plan popularity
Funeral plans are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. 21% of respondents to a SunLife survey said they opted to prepay their own funeral in 2023, up 3% from 20224. In doing so they are helping to protect their loved ones from potential unexpected expenses, and avoiding price increases by fixing the cost of the funeral director’s services covered by their plan at today’s rates.
With average funeral costs projected by SunLife to pass £5,126 in 20284, fixing the cost of funeral director’s services at today's rates could provide comfort and assurance for your loved ones.
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1 National life tables – life expectancy in the UK - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
2 Our plans are available to all UK residents, regardless of age or state of health. If you choose to pay by the instalment payment option you must be aged under 78 at the start date of your plan and pay the total cost by your 80th birthday. There are no maximum or minimum age limits if choosing to pay by single payment or by 12 monthly payments.
3 While the cost of the funeral director’s services are included in your plan, this does not cover third party costs. All five Golden Charter set plans include an allowance towards third party costs.
