What's included in a prepaid funeral plan?
None of the prepaid funeral plans provide headstones, memorials or burial plots, though some will make a provision for these and other customisations at an extra cost.
Age UK, Dignity, The Co-operative Funeralcare and Perfect Choice have a network of funeral directors to choose from, while the remaining providers let you choose an independent funeral director that will accept the plan.
All providers in this table offer:
- a hearse;
- care of the body;
- guidance on registration and certification of death;
- arrangement and supervision of the funeral by the funeral director;
- and confidential advice.
It should be noted that the quality of coffin will range from a simple one with a basic plan, to a more expensive coffin with a comprehensive plan.
Prepaid funeral plans compared
The tables below only include funeral plan providers that are members of the Funeral Planning Authority and not every provider in the market (bespoke plans are also excluded).
They will show you the following costs:
- Full upfront costs - what you will pay if you opt for a single payment.
- Cremation costs - the amount the provider pays towards cremation. A guaranteed payment means the provider will pay the entire sum.
- Burial costs - the amount the provider pays towards burial. A guaranteed payment means the provider will pay the entire sum.
- Cancellation fee - the amount you will have to pay if you decide you no longer want the policy.
- Removal of the body - the distance that the funeral plan will cover when the deceased is transferred to a resting place.
- Following limousines - whether the provider includes following limousines as part of the funeral procession.
- Viewing the body - whether the provider includes and arranges a viewing of the body as part of the funeral.
- Funeral procession - whether the provider includes a funeral procession as part of the plan.
All information in the tables is accurate to March 2019.
Basic prepaid funeral plans
The lower cost funeral plans offered by funeral plan providers will commonly offer restrictions on the services provided and which costs will be covered.
This may include lower contributions to cremation or burial costs and less choice for the date or time of the funeral.
Limousines won't be provided for the funeral procession and there are limitations on when you can arrange a viewing of your loved one in the chapel of rest.
| Plan | Full upfront cost | Cremation costs | Burial costs | Cancellation fee | Removal of body | Following limousines | Viewing the body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age UK The Basic Plan
More info A restricted choice of date and time for the funeral will be available. For more detail visit funeralplan.ageuk.org.uk | £2,770 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £0 | 50 miles | No | Yes |
| Age UK The Ivy Plan
More info Burial costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,170 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £0 | 50 miles | No | Yes |
| Avalon Balmoral plan
More info Cremation costs: Contribution increases annually on 1st July in line with increases in CPI | £3,645 | £1,000 | £1,000 | £395 | No mileage restriction | No | No |
| Dignity The Limited Plan
More info Burial costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £2,795 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £249 | 50 miles | No | Yes |
| Dignity The Amber Plan
More info Burial costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,195 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £249 | 50 miles | No | Yes |
| Golden Charter Value plan
More info A restricted choice of date and time for the funeral will be available. For more detail visit funeralplan.ageuk.org.uk | £2,895 | £800 | £800 | £249 | 25 miles | No | Yes |
| Golden Leaves Bronze Plan
More info Viewing the body: During business hours by agreed appointment | £2,394 | None | None | £479 | 25 miles | No | Yes |
| Memoria eTraditional
More info Memoria Plans are administered by Ecclesiastical Planning Services, a member of the FPA and are available in England, Scotland and Wales | £3,295 | Guaranteed | n/a | £615 | No mileage restriction | No | Yes |
| The Co-operative Funeralcare Simple
More info A restricted choice of date and time for the funeral will be available | £3,295 | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | £250 | 50 miles | No | Yes |
| The Co-operative Funeralcare Bronze
More info Burial costs: Does not include the purchase of a grave | £3,595 | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | £250 | 50 miles | No | Yes |
Standard prepaid funeral plans
Standard funeral plans will generally provide a limousine for the funeral procession or a higher contribution to the cost of the burial and cremation costs, along with the cover provided by a basic plan.
| Plan | Full upfront cost | Cremation costs | Burial costs | Cancellation fee | Removal of body | Following limousines | Viewing the body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age UK The Holly Plan
More info Burial costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,525 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £0 | 50 miles | 1 | Yes |
| Avalon Highgrove plan
More info Cremation costs: Contribution increases annually on 1st July in line with increases in CPI | £3,995 | £1,000 | £1,000 | £395 | No mileage restriction | 1 | Yes |
| Dignity The Pearl Plan
More info Burial costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,550 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £249 | 50 miles | 1 | Yes |
| Golden Charter Standard Plan
More info Funeral procession: Yes - from Funeral Director's to crematorium or burial site | £3,495 | £1,100 | £1,100 | £249 | 25 miles | No | Yes |
| Golden Charter Select Plan
More info Viewing the body: Use of chapel of rest or service rooms for family viewing at any pre-arranged time. Costs may apply if out-of-hours viewing is required | £3,850 | £1,100 | £1,100 | £249 | 25 miles | 1 | Yes |
| Golden Leaves Silver Plan
More info Cremation costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,364 | Guaranteed | See More info | £673 | 25 miles | No | Yes |
| Memoria eTraditional Plus
More info Memoria Plans are administered by Ecclesiastical Planning Services, a member of the FPA and are available in England, Scotland and Wales | £3,495 | Guaranteed | n/a | £615 | No mileage restriction | 1 | Yes |
| The Co-operative Funeralcare Silver
More info Burial costs: Does not include the purchase of a grave | £3,950 | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | £250 | 50 miles | 1 | Yes |
Comprehensive prepaid funeral plans
The high-end funeral plans will offer two limousines and more flexibility in when you can arrange a viewing of your loved one.
They also offer the ability to make additional contributions towards Special Requests during the lifetime of the plan, and complimentary thank you cards at the service.
| Plan | Full upfront cost | Cremation costs | Burial costs | Cancellation fee | Removal of body | Following limousines | Viewing the body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age UK The Rowan Plan
More info Burial costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,770 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £0 | 50 miles | 2 | Yes |
| Avalon Windsor Way plan
More info Cremation costs: Contribution increases annually on 1st July in line with increases in CPI | £4,245 | £1,000 | £1,000 | £395 | No mileage restriction | 2 | Yes |
| Dignity The Diamond Plan
More info Burial costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,795 | Guaranteed | £1,220 | £249 | 50 miles | 2 | Yes |
| Golden Charter Premier Plan
More info Viewing the body: Use of chapel of rest or service rooms for family viewing at any pre-arranged time. Costs may apply if out-of-hours viewing is required | £4,099 | £1,100 | £1,100 | £249 | 25 miles | 2 | Yes |
| Golden Leaves Gold Plan
More info Cremation costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,719 | Guaranteed | See More info | £744 | 25 miles | 1 | Yes |
| Golden Leaves Platinum Plan
More info Cremation costs: Contribution increases with RPI | £3,969 | Guaranteed | See More info | £794 | 25 miles | 2 | Yes |
| Memoria eTraditional Extra
More info Memoria Plans are administered by Ecclesiastical Planning Services, a member of the FPA and are available in England, Scotland and Wales | £3,745 | Guaranteed | n/a | £895 | No mileage restriction | 2 | Yes |
| The Co-operative Funeralcare Gold
More info Burial costs: Does not include the purchase of a grave | £4,199 | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | £250 | 50 miles | 2 | Yes |
