Buying a Funeral Plan for Someone Else: 5 Things to Know
Thinking about a funeral plan for someone else is never easy. But planning ahead can make a big difference — giving you peace of mind and helping to ensure your loved one’s wishes are respected. It can also ease the emotional and financial burden on friends and family when the time comes.
If you’re considering buying a funeral plan for a parent, partner or close relative, here are five key things to think about first.
1. Understand What Your Loved One Wants
The most important place to start is with a conversation.
According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025:
• 51% of people don’t know whether their loved one wanted a burial or cremation.¹
• Fewer than 1% know all their loved one’s funeral wishes.¹
It may feel uncomfortable, but asking about funeral preferences now can save confusion and distress later. Even basic choices — such as whether they want a cremation or burial, or if they’d prefer a religious or non-religious ceremony — can make a big difference.
Understanding their wishes can also help avoid spending on things they wouldn’t have chosen, such as flowers when they might have preferred donations to charity.
2. Know What’s Included in the Plan
Funeral plans don’t all offer the same level of cover. Before you buy, check what’s included — and what’s not.
At Golden Charter Funeral Plans, our funeral plans fix the cost of the funeral director’s services at the time of purchase. That can help protect against future price rises. Most of our plans also include a contribution towards third-party costs, such as:
• Cremation or burial fees
• Minister or celebrant fees
• Flowers or order of service booklets
Our Direct Cremation Plan is slightly different — it fully guarantees cremation fees, with no third-party costs to pay later. Knowing what’s covered ensures you won’t face unexpected costs down the line.
3. Make Sure the Plan Offers Financial Protection
Financial security is essential when buying a funeral plan for someone else. At Golden Charter Funeral Plans, we provide three levels of protection:
The Golden Charter Trust Payments are held securely in the Golden Charter Trust, which manages nearly £1.2 billion.² An independent board ensures money is available when needed.
Plan Safeguarding In the unlikely event Golden Charter Funeral Plans were to stop trading, funds would remain protected in the Trust for the funeral.
FSCS Protection Golden Charter Funeral Plans are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which means you can be confident that your money is safe and everything will be taken care of. You can find full details of the FSCS at www.fscs.org.uk.
You can read more about how we protect your money at goldencharter.co.uk/faqs.
4. Check for Flexibility
Plans should adapt if circumstances change. For example, if your loved one moves to another part of the UK, the plan can move with them. Just let us know — we’ll update the records and, if necessary, appoint a new funeral director (we’ll always confirm any cost differences first). A Golden Charter funeral plan can also be transferred if another family member unexpectedly passes away first. As long as the plan has been paid in full,3 it can be reassigned. Additional fees may apply if the new location or wishes differ — but we’ll support you every step of the way.
5. Keep the Details Safe
Once the plan is in place, you’ll receive a membership pack containing everything you need to know. Remember, if circumstances change over time, plans can be updated.
Planning Ahead Offers Peace of Mind
Arranging a funeral plan for someone else is a thoughtful and caring step. It helps ensure their wishes are met and takes some of the weight off loved ones during a difficult time. By considering their preferences, understanding what’s included, checking the financial protection, looking for flexibility and storing the paperwork safely, you’ll be making a well-informed and compassionate choice. At Golden Charter Funeral Plans, we treat every customer with fairness and respect. We’ll make the process as simple as possible and keep you supported every step of the way.
If you’re ready to find out more about funeral plans for someone else or would like a quote, visit goldencharter.co.uk or call 0808 169 4534 to speak to one of our friendly team members.
Because when it matters most, we’re here for you.
Sources: ¹ SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025 ² Golden Charter Trust audited accounts, as at 31 March 2024
