Last updated: May 6, 2026
Our funeral plans allow you to pre-arrange and pay for the funeral director’s services associated with your funeral. Exactly what’s included will vary depending on what type of plan you choose.
This is why we’ve set out what’s included in each of our funeral plans below, and the potential benefits of paying in advance for your funeral: to ensure we give you the clarity you need to make an informed decision.
Pre-paid funeral plans can offer peace of mind
Taking out a pre-paid funeral plan can help reduce the financial pressure on your family when you’re gone and ensure that you get the funeral that you want. It also allows you to set your own funeral budget, saving your loved ones from worrying whether they’ve spent enough on your send-off.
Costs of funeral director’s services locked in
One of the key benefits of a Golden Charter pre-paid funeral plan is the guarantee that the cost of the funeral director's services included in your plan will be locked in at today's prices. Our attended funeral plans also include an allowance towards third party costs. Our Direct Cremation Plan, which is an unattended cremation, doesn’t include an allowance as it is fully guaranteed.
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. These costs are outside of your funeral director’s control but will need to be paid for at the time of the funeral. The value of any allowance in your plan for third party costs may grow over time. However, there may be more to pay for third party costs if they exceed the allowance in your plan at the time of the funeral.
Respecting your wishes
A pre-paid funeral plan also includes the opportunity to set out your final wishes. You can record a number of personal preferences, from dress code to music. Besides letting your family know how you want your funeral to go, the paperwork for your funeral plan will provide detailed instructions for your funeral director.
Funeral plan flexibility
Golden Charter offers the flexibility of three different funeral plans to meet a range of needs and suit different budgets.
Every funeral plan includes the professional services of a funeral director. This includes the provision of professional services and making all arrangements for the funeral, advice on the certification and registration of the death (and related documentation), and care of the deceased prior to burial or cremation (excluding embalming).
A coffin is included in all Golden Charter funeral plans, but the style of coffin depends on the plan chosen. For our Direct Cremation Plan, which includes an unattended cremation without a service, a coffin suitable for cremation will be selected by the funeral director. Our other funeral plans, the Standard and Select plans, include coffins that are suitable for an attended service.
For plans that include a funeral service, arrangement of the service at a local cemetery or crematorium is also included, along with a hearse to that location. For a complete rundown of what’s included in each of our plans, and what’s not included, head to our ‘Compare our funeral plans’ page.
What’s not included in a funeral plan?
All funeral plans are designed to include the professional services of a funeral director. However, if you’re looking to purchase a funeral plan, it’s important to remember that most won’t cover optional third party costs, including:
- Headstones/memorials
- Catering or venue hire for a wake
- Flowers
- Orders of service
- Death notices online or in the newspaper
The good news is that, while the above items aren’t included in your funeral plan, you can use the third party cost allowance to pay for them. However, if you would prefer any of these costs to be specifically added into your plan, please let us know and we can find out if there are any additional charges before we process your plan.
Get peace of mind today
We offer a range of funeral plans that allow you to specify your wishes and take control of funeral costs. Browse our plans on our website today and see which one is best for you.
If you have any questions, your local Golden Charter approved independent funeral director can help guide you through your choices. Search for your nearest one today on our website – and don’t forget to look for the Golden Charter seal of approval.
Alternatively, give us a call, free, on 0800 090 2258. Our friendly UK-based team is here to answer your questions from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
