Choosing a funeral plan simply involves selecting a trusted plan provider and looking closely at what their plans include. This will tell you which type of plan works best for you and how they can protect your money.
While choosing a funeral plan can feel like a big decision, breaking it down into a few simple checks can make the choice much easier. Taking a little time to compare your options can give you and your loved ones true peace of mind knowing that what matters to you has been taken care of.
1. Choosing a trusted company
Reading about a plan provider on their website can give you confidence that they are well established. So can reviews on sites like Trustpilot, where you can see what real customers have said about them.
Any established provider is likely to have good and bad reviews. Reassurance can come from their overall rating and their willingness to respond to both good and bad reviews.
It is also useful to check the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Firm Checker online to confirm a provider is authorised, as only regulated providers are allowed to offer funeral plans in the UK. When you use a regulated provider, you have access to some additional protections. For example, the Financial Ombudsman Service can support you if you ever need help resolving a complaint.
2. Understanding how your money is protected
When you buy a funeral plan, your money is held in an independent trust or placed in a whole-of-life policy. This helps ensure your money is safe until it’s needed. It’s a good idea to read up on how the provider you choose protects your money: this can help to give you the peace of mind that your funeral plan provider is committed to protecting your payments.
At Golden Charter, our customers’ funeral plan payments are held in The Golden Charter Trust. This is fully independent of Golden Charter and exists to hold customers’ funds, to ensure they are used to pay for the funeral director services in the plan when they are needed*.
You also have the right to wider protections: everyone who buys a plan from an FCA authorised provider also has access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Funeral plan payments may also be backed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), another layer of protection and support if anything was to happen to your plan provider.
3. Looking at what is included in the plan
While funeral plans all exist to pay for and carry out your end of life wishes, there are lots of options available. Some plans offer a simple cremation, or even a direct cremation without any service, while others include further optional extras.
When comparing funeral plans, 10 common services to check for include:
- Cremation or burial options
- A funeral service
- Collecting the deceased
- A hearse and other cars for loved ones
- The support of a funeral director
- Care of the deceased
- Choice of funeral date and time
- Family viewing
- The type of coffin
- Use of a chapel of rest or service room
Depending on the plan you want, these will often be included in the cost as part of the funeral director services.
Beyond the funeral director services, you should also look out for how third party costs like cremation or burial fees are handled. Since these services are not provided by the funeral director, they can’t always be fixed in the same way and could need to be paid at the time of the funeral. Plans often include an allowance towards them.
At Golden Charter, our Standard and Select plans offer that kind of allowance, so loved ones won’t have to pay the full amount at the time of the funeral. There will then only be more to pay for third party costs if they come to more than the allowance covers.
Our Direct Cremation Plan works differently, fully guaranteeing the third party amount. That means if you take out a Direct Cremation Plan, you will know it covers the full cost, including third party costs such as the cremation fee.
Whatever plan you use, the important thing is to look over what is and isn’t included so you and your loved ones know exactly what you’re paying for.
4. Comparing payment options and instalments
You can usually pay for a funeral plan in a few different ways. You can either make a single lump sum payment or use instalments to spread the cost over months or years.
Different providers will have different options, so if you’re paying in instalments remember to check the terms. Knowing what happens if you miss a payment, or if there is still anything left to pay at the time you pass away, can help you understand what plan and payment option is right for you.
Remember, you can always change your mind even after taking out a plan: there is a 30 day ‘cooling off period’ that starts on the date you receive your plan documents after purchasing.
5. Finding the best funeral plan for your needs
The best plan is simply the one that covers your own priorities. Whether that’s a quiet ceremony, a direct cremation with no service, or a larger traditional gathering, there will be a plan that lets you arrange and pay for what you want. Different people can want very different things from their funeral plan, so the best course isn’t always to pick the cheapest or simplest option.
The people who will actually carry out your funeral can also play a part in your decision. At Golden Charter, we work with a UK-wide network of over 3,000 independent funeral directors2, meaning a local, independent business will ultimately carry out your plan. Think about whether your funeral will be carried out by a local funeral director who knows your community, and how important that is to you.
6. Keeping your documents safe and telling your family
Once you choose and take out a funeral plan, all that’s left is to let people know. Keep your physical and digital documents in a safe, memorable place.
You should also let your loved ones who will be affected at the time, or an executor, know where the details are kept, so things are as simple as possible for them.
Removing the stress from loved ones is one of the kindest things you can do through planning ahead. It means that when the time comes, one call to the funeral director named on your plan is all that’s needed to put it into motion. From then, the role of the funeral director is to support loved ones through the funeral process.
How we can help you plan ahead
By taking out a funeral plan, you can lay out exactly what you want at the same time you take control of your end-of-life finances. It’s a simple, thoughtful way to reduce emotional or financial pressure for your loved ones in the future.
To understand more about what our own funeral plans include, and which can best support you and your family, you can explore our funeral plans on our website.
When you're ready, we’re here to help you take the next step.
You can also search for your nearest Golden Charter approved funeral director. We work with local funeral directors across the UK - just look for the Golden Charter seal of approval.
If you have questions, our friendly and experienced team is available from 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday. Give them a no obligation call, free, on 0800 090 2258.
