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Prepaid funeral plans

What are prepaid funeral plans and should you buy one?

Kit Sproson
Kit Sproson | Edited by Ben Slater
Updated 21 August 2023

A prepaid funeral plan lets you pay for your own funeral in advance, potentially saving your family stress and expense when you die. But while things like a coffin and burial or cremation fees are usually covered, prepaid plans don't cover all funeral costs, so you'll need to check what's included before you stump up the cash. This guide helps you compare what's on offer and decide whether you should get one.

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With thanks to Simon Cox of Funeral Solution Expert for his contribution to this guide.

What is a prepaid funeral plan?

A prepaid funeral plan allows you to pay for the essential elements of a funeral in advance, either for yourself or for someone else. Plans typically cover many (though not all) of the costs associated with a funeral, such as a coffin and a hearse.

So, if a prepaid plan is in place when you die, those close to you will have less to organise and less to pay towards your funeral. Plans can usually be taken out by anyone aged over 18, though some providers say you need to be at least 50 to buy one. If you want to pay for a plan with monthly instalments, there may also be an upper age limit (often around 80), after which you’d need to pay upfront.

The average cost of a basic funeral is just under £4,000 (which is actually a slight drop on previous years) and one in three UK funerals are now paid for in advance via a prepaid plan. But don't rush into buying one before reading this guide, as they aren't suitable for everyone 

Funeral plans are now regulated by the FCA

You now have greater protection when taking out a prepaid funeral plan because, as of 29 July 2022, the sector has been regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – we cover your rights in more detail below.

Prepaid funeral plans: the six need-to-knows

Funeral plans can ease the financial and emotional burden on your family at a distressing time, but they won't be for everyone. Here's what you need to know...

  1. The big boon of funeral plans is that you pay today's costs, even if funerals are more expensive when you die

    If funeral costs rise in future, your funeral plan is protected against inflation. For example, say you buy a funeral plan costing £4,000 today, but don't die for another 15 years. If in that time the cost of everything goes up (which is likely) and now the same funeral costs £6,000, your family won't be asked to pay the £2,000 difference.

    However, some costs that are considered to be from a third party (such as cremation fees) may have risen, plus your family might have to pay extra depending on what guarantees were or weren't in the funeral plan contract, so you need to check before taking out a plan. 

    • Why a funeral plan is better than putting the money aside in a savings account?

      An alternative to paying for your funeral in advance is setting aside cash for it in a savings account and letting your family know what you want it to be used for.

      But they'd have to make all the arrangements themselves and could still find there's not enough money to cover the full cost. Plus, your family may not be able to access the money in time to pay the funeral bills as they may have to wait for the legal process to be sorted, such as the grant of probate.

      An advantage of a funeral plan is that once paid for, it isn't counted towards your estate, so it would have no effect on how much inheritance tax you'd need to pay (if any). That's unlike money in a savings account, which does form part of your estate. Read our inheritance tax guide for more info. Having savings could affect your assessment for care homes and/or benefits, such as universal credit, pension credit or housing support.

      Another bonus of buying a plan is your council might not count it if you're assessed for help towards care costs. Councils look at your savings, income and assets to work out how much you need to pay towards your residential care. However, if you're making this move to bring your money below a trigger threshold, it's important to check what savings limits your council sets, as there are different thresholds within the UK.

  2. It's cheapest if you pay for your plan upfront or over 12 months (if interest-free)

    Most funeral plan providers have various payment options. There are typically four:

    • Pay the lump sum. If you can afford to do this, it's probably your best bet. That's because: you're only paying for what the plan actually costs; the provider would pay for your funeral if you died tomorrow; and your money is now safe thanks to new regulations. 

    • Pay over 12 months. This is the next-best option if you don't have the entire lump sum, but can afford to clear the full amount within 12 months. You're usually not charged extra to do this, so in effect you're getting to pay off your plan interest-free for a year. Many plan providers ask for a small deposit (usually less than £100) when setting up a monthly instalment plan but this will be deducted from the total you owe – it's not an extra charge.

      The only difference to paying upfront is that if you die within the 12 months and haven't finished paying off the plan, the provider will refund your family what you've paid, rather than provide the funeral. So this means your family will have to organise the funeral, plus they might be out of pocket if costs have risen since you took out the plan.

    • Be careful. Spread the cost over up to 25 years. If you don't have the money now, or can't afford to spread the cost over a year, you can choose to spread your payments over a longer period of up to 25 years (depending on the provider). You can usually only do this up to the age of 80(ish), so if you're 75 for example and wanted to pay this way, the maximum length of time you could spread the cost over would likely be five years.

      But paying a plan off over multiple years isn't a good option for many as you'll usually be charged interest, so will likely end up paying more than the funeral's worth. The only exception is if you die shortly after two years (or one year in some cases) of taking out your plan, in which case the provider must still pay for your funeral, even if you haven't paid off the plan.
    • Avoid. Fixed monthly instalments until you reach 90 or die. Not many of these plans are sold anymore, but here you pay a fixed amount each month (it varies depending on your age) until you die or your 90th birthday, whichever's sooner. Generally, your fixed monthly payments would be lower than paying by the 'up to 25-year' option above, but because you could potentially be paying over a much longer period, overall you'll likely pay much more than the funeral's worth – unless you die earlier than expected.

  3. A prepaid funeral plan WON'T cover the costs of a burial plot, headstone and more – which can amount to £1,000s extra for your loved ones

    Many providers will let you choose between a cremation or burial funeral plan. But watch out for any additional burial or cremation costs that may not be included. For example, the biggest cost unlikely to be covered by a prepaid funeral plan is a burial plot and headstone, which can easily set back your loved ones £1,000s extra (sometimes nearer to £10,000) when you pass away.

    Burial funerals typically cost a lot more than cremation services, so the level of burial fees a plan will pay is often capped. If you do choose to buy a funeral plan and want to be buried, your family will therefore likely need to put a significant amount of extra money towards a burial when you die. Cremation fees can be capped too, depending on the plan.

    So before you buy a plan, it's VITAL to understand what is and isn't included and make sure you budget for any extras. Unless you're really on a budget, it's better to avoid the very basic plans, as these are usually much more restrictive about the days that your funeral can be held.

    What's usually included in a prepaid funeral plan:

    • Transport of the body to the funeral directors' location
    • Care of the body
    • Visiting the body in the chapel of rest
    • A coffin, hearse and funeral director personnel
    • An allowance towards burial/cremation costs
    What's sometimes included depending on the plan:
    • A guarantee that crematorium fees will be covered (not capped)
    • Doctor's fees (totalling £82 and needed for cremations outside of Scotland)
    • Minister's or celebrant's fees
    • Limousines for mourners
    What's not usually included in a prepaid funeral plan:
    • Burial plot (and some burial fees). Cost of a burial plot can range anywhere from £500 all the way up to £3,500 in areas like London.
    • Any extra cremation fees. Typical cost up to £1,000.
    • Headstone/memorial. Typical cost between £1,000 and £3,000.
    • Funeral notices
    • Order sheets
    • Embalming. Typical cost £150.
    • Flowers, catering and other costs for a wake. Typical cost £200+.

    As you can see, the additional costs that your loved ones might have to fork out at the time of your passing – even if you've got a funeral plan – can be very expensive.

    Paul McLean, of Integrity Funeral Care, who has been a vocal critic of prepaid funeral plans, says it's a common occurrence to find that funeral plans do not cover the entire cost required – leaving loved ones in a difficult financial position at an already very painful time. He advises exploring in detail what is and isn't included in a funeral plan, and making loved ones aware of what hasn't been paid for to reduce the likelihood of nasty surprises.

  4. Prepaid funeral plans now come with added protection, so your money is safe

    From 29 July 2022, the FCA began regulating firms that provide and arrange prepaid funeral plans. This means:

    • Your money's safe with an authorised provider. As you'll either get a funeral or you'll get a refund – even if the provider goes bust. That's because funerals paid for in instalments must go ahead even if you die before paying the final instalment. The only exception is if you die within 24 months of purchasing the plan, in which case the provider won't be required to pay for your funeral but must give a full refund.

      There are some funeral plan providers, including Co-op and Dignity, which will pay out for a funeral if you die within two years of taking out your plan, as long as you've paid at least the first 12 months of instalments and your payments are up to date.

    • You're protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) should your plan provider fail. The FSCS can either ensure your funeral contract is carried out as planned, or pay cash compensation.

    • If you have a complaint against a funeral plan provider or intermediary, you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Escalating a dispute to the ombudsman is free for you to do.

      (If the issue happened before 29 July 2022, you'll still be able to refer it to the ombudsman service, but only if the firm was previously registered with the Funeral Planning Authority).

    • Other ways you're protected by the new FCA regulations

      • All providers will need to be FCA-authorised or they'll be shut down. The FCA will carry out checks on authorised firms to ensure they are sticking to the rules.

      • You'll have 30 days after buying a plan to cancel penalty-free if you change your mind.

      • You'll be able to receive a partial refund if you choose to downgrade your plan.

      • Cold-calling will be banned and new advertising standards brought in to ensure plans are sold fairly.

      • Third parties, such as funeral directors, won't be allowed to receive a commission for selling a funeral plan.

      • All funeral directors have to display a standardised price list.

  5. If you move home, contact your plan provider to see if you can change to use your new local funeral director

    When you buy a funeral plan, you'll need to tell the provider which funeral director you want it to arrange your funeral with. If you later move from the location registered to your plan, you'll need to see if you can change funeral directors. Many plan providers will allow you to, but some may charge a fee to do it. Check the terms of your funeral plan carefully before buying.

    Changing your funeral director will also depend on whether your plan provider works with funeral directors in the area you move to. The areas covered vary with providers, so it's worth checking this in any plan you're considering.

    Plans also specify how far a funeral director will go to collect a body. The mileage limit can vary, but what counts is whether there's a funeral director willing to take on your plan. Golden Charter, for example, works with a large number of directors so its collection mileage is limited to 25, whereas Co-op directors will go up to 50 miles. Some, such as Plan with Grace, have no limit on the number of miles they'll travel.

    Does where I live affect the price of the plan?

    A prepaid funeral plan could be good if you live in, or are moving to an expensive area. Some large funeral plan providers have priced their packages, particularly for cremations, to work across big swathes of the UK. So, if you're in a location where funerals are pricey, you could make a saving buying a plan from a national company.

    Similarly, if a funeral is in a less expensive area you could lose out with a funeral plan because burial and cremation costs behave in a similar way to property; they're all about location, location, location. If the funeral's going to take place in a less expensive area, you may find it cheaper to go with a small local provider, rather than a company with a national pricing strategy.

  6. You can save on burial plot costs if you share a family plot or opt for a woodland burial

    Burial costs can vary dramatically. Buying a plot can cost just a few hundred pounds in remote rural locations, to £1,000s in cities and over £10,000 in some parts of London. This variation puts them outside plans – although some will permit any spare allowance to go towards the cost of a plot.

    Despite recent hikes in crematorium fees, cremations where you choose not to bury the ashes usually work out cheaper than burials because you don't have the same associated costs of buying a plot and paying towards site maintenance. And it's worth noting, you don't actually own a burial plot, it's more of a lease, usually up to 100 years. Then it'll need to be renewed – for a fee. 

    You can cut burial costs by £100s or £1,000s
    • If you don't need to buy a plot because you've already got one, or are prepared to buy one to share, there will then only be £100s to pay for opening a grave. In some circumstances, total costs could work out less than cremations.

    • You could choose a plot in a cheaper location. Even though some councils charge £100s more for non-residents, it could still work out cheaper.

    • A natural burial or woodland site will be cheaper than a council-owned site, but you'll need to ensure materials used are biodegradable.

    • A standard coffin sourced via an undertaker can cost about £350, but you may be able to source a biodegradable one for around £200.

    • If you are a member of a mosque or a synagogue, there may be special arrangements.

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Is it worth paying for a funeral plan?

Below we've highlighted when it might – and might not – be a good idea to buy a prepaid funeral plan.

The big unknown is when you'll end up needing to use the plan. But that isn't a reason not to buy one. If you've paid off a plan in full, you know it's there when you need it. While if you die before you've paid off your plan, you'll ether get all your money back, or you'll get the funeral you were paying towards, depending on how soon you die after taking the plan out.

Prepaid funeral plans: when are they worth it?

A prepaid funeral plan is likely to be worth it if...

You have the cash to pay for one upfront, or you can afford to pay for one over 12 monthly instalments (as long as they're interest-free, as is often the case).
You think your family would struggle to cope with organising and/or funding your funeral when you die.
You're unlikely to have enough money left in your estate to pay for your funeral when you die.
Funeral prices increase after you take the plan out (this is likely over the longer-term).
You want to be cremated and live in an expensive area, as many plans guarantee cremation costs.
It's a GREY AREA if..
 You take out a plan and then move house within the UK. Many (but not all) providers let you choose an alternative funeral director closer to your new address, but there may be fees involved.
You're assessed for help towards care costs. If your council thinks you’ve bought a funeral plan to reduce your savings and avoid paying care fees, they may still assess you as if you still had the money.
A prepaid funeral plan is unlikely to be worth it if...
 Paying for it puts you in debt.
The number of years you're paying the plan off over means you end up spending more than the funeral is worth.
You plan to move abroad.
You agree to pay it off over monthly instalments and then miss one or more payments.
You buy a restrictive plan that doesn't give you the funeral you want.
Funeral prices fall after you take the plan out (though this is fairly unlikely in the long term).

How the cost of funeral plans compares to paying direct

It's possible to find a funeral that costs less than a similar plan, so if you think your family will be cool-headed enough to shop around and not succumb to upselling after a loved one has passed away, you may not need to buy a plan. 

Bear in mind that the cost will vary considerably depending on where you live, and you'll likely pay more if you opt for a burial over a cremation. According to SunLife's most recent Cost of Dying Report, the total average cost of a burial was £4,794 in 2022, while a cremation was £3,673.

Have a look at funeral prices in your local area and compare that to a few different prepaid plans to get an idea of whether they offer good value for money. But don't underestimate how much it'll be worth to your family to know plans are already in place when you die.

How to buy a funeral plan

Before you start thinking about which provider to go with, you need to think about what sort of funeral you want and the level of plan you want to take out.

A big factor is whether you want a cremation or a burial, as this can have a significant impact on the cost. If you live in an expensive area (or just aren't sure how much a burial or cremation might cost where you live), look for a plan that guarantees the full cost of your burial or cremation will be covered. If you opt for a plan that has a maximum spend limit, your family may end up having to foot the bill if the full cost of your burial or cremation isn't covered.

You then need to decide what's important to you – how long you pay the plan off over, whether you want a specific funeral director or a particular style of coffin, if mourner's limos are important to you, for example. These will all play a part in narrowing down your options.

Here are some key differences between common plan levels, which include a funeral service (unattended direct cremations or burials are usually cheaper still):

  • A basic plan can cost anywhere between £2,000 and £3,500 and usually covers transporting and caring for the body, plus disbursements towards officiate fees and the cremation or burial costs. But cheaper plans often mean you're restricted on the time and day of the funeral service and you won't get a mourners' limousine. The coffin is likely to be very basic.

  • A standard plan usually costs between £3,000 and £4,000 and gets you a choice of times and day of the week for the funeral, and a generally a better quality coffin, such as a wood effect coffin. You might get one mourners' limousine with some standard plans.

  • A higher-level plan is likely to cost more than £4,000 and will include everything from the basic and standard packages, and usually includes at least one (if not two) limousines for mourners to travel in. You can also expect to have a higher-quality coffin, often wood veneer or sometimes even solid wood.

Which plan provider and package should you choose?

Once you've thought about how much you want to spend and what sort of funeral you'd like, you can start comparing plans. But with so many providers and packages available to choose from, knowing where to start can be a challenge. 

There are currently 26 funeral plan providers authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Many of these firms have made changes to their plans since the new FCA regulations were introduced in July 2022.

So, we've reviewed the market and found two providers you may want to consider if you're after a burial funeral, and three to bear in mind if you want a cremation. However, do bear in mind:

  • We've focused on nationwide providers that work with a large number of funeral directors. 
  • All providers featured guarantee that full cost of your burial/cremation will be covered.
  • The best plan and provider for you will depend on your location, budget and funeral preferences, so always read all the documentation to understand exactly what is and isn't included.
  • This is meant as an overview of the plans on offer. As the services will be provided by different funeral directors, we haven't been able to take customer service into account here.

Top prepaid funeral plan providers for burial funerals

Provider & fee information Key info

Dignity
 

- Price range: £3,500+

- Interest charged on monthly payments: 0%

- Payout promise (1): Yes

- Cancellation fee: £0

- Joint policy: Yes

- Fee for moving home: No
- Collection of body: 24 hours/ 7 days a week, within 50 miles

 

Unlike with most providers, all of Dignity’s prepaid funerals guarantee to cover your burial costs in full (excluding the burial plot itself). Its burial funerals (which include a service) start at circa £3,500, and you can use any of its 776 funeral directors nationwide.

 

Dignity is also different in that it doesn't offer set plans. Instead you 'build your own' by selecting the elements you want, and you can see in real time how this impacts the price. You can also change your plan at anytime, without being charged admin fees. 

 

Dignity allows all of its plans to be paid for over up to five years at no extra cost - it's the only company to offer this. And it's the only provider we're aware of to not charge any cancellation fees after the 30-day cooling-off period.

Co-op Funeralcare

 

- Price range: £3,225 - £4,460

- Interest charged on monthly payments: Free for 12 months, then variable

- Payout promise (2): Yes

- Cancellation fee: free for 30 days, then £125

- Joint policy: No

- Fee for moving home: No
- Collection of body: 24 hours/ 7 days a week, within 50 miles

Apart from Dignity, Co-op Funeralcare is the only other provider we've seen that sells plans which guarantee to cover burial fees (excluding the burial plot itself). Its funeral plans can be carried out at any of Co-op's 800+ funeral homes across the UK.

 

The burial fees feature is included in both of its two top-level plans (Silver - £4,150; Gold - £4,460). While not cheap, they may be worth it if you live in an area where burial funerals are pricey, and you also want other elements that are included in these plans, such as a higher quality coffin and mourner's limo(s).

 

Bear in mind that Co-op's cheaper plans (Simple - £3,225; Bronze - £3,735) only include an allowance towards third-party burial fees, and you're restricted on day and time for the service (normally Tues-Thurs before 10.30am or after 3pm).

 

Co-op offers a discount of £125 (or £75 if you opt for its Simple Plan) for its members and it only costs £1 to join.

(1) After 13 months of up-to-date payments if paying in instalments. (2) After 12 months of up-to-date payments if paying in instalments. 

Top prepaid funeral plan providers for cremation funerals

Provider & fee information Key info

Dignity
 

- Price range: £1,110+ (without a service) or £3,500+ (with a service)

- Interest charged on monthly payments: 0%

- Payout promise (1): Yes

- Cancellation fee: £0

- Joint policy: Yes

- Fee for moving home: No
- Collection of body: 24 hours/ 7 days a week, within 50 miles

 

Dignity allows you to build your own bespoke prepaid funeral plan. In all cases, cremation costs are guaranteed, so your relatives won't have to pay extra for the actual cremation. A hearse is also included as standard.

 

After that, you can choose the type of coffin (choice of two included, or up to circa £750 extra for more premium coffins), whether you want a celebrant (£220 extra), as well as adding contributions for extras, such as flowers and stationery. You have a choice of 46 crematoria across the UK, so check there's one near(ish) where you live.

 

Dignity doesn't charge any fees for making changes to your plan, and you can pay monthly for up to five years, and it won't cost you anymore than if you'd paid upfront.

Plan with Grace

 

- Price range: £1,440 - £4,275

- Interest charged on monthly payments: free for 24 months, then 6.5%

- Payout promise (2): Yes

- Cancellation fee: free for 30 days, then £250

- Joint policy: Yes (age dependent)

- Fee for moving home: Fees may apply
- Collection of body: 24 hours / 7 days a week, no mileage only (select plans only)

Cremation costs are guaranteed with all of Plan with Grace's prepaid plans.

 

At the lower end of it range, it's one of the few providers to offer direct cremation plans (£1,440).

 

At the upper end, Plan with Grace’s Imperial Plan (£4,275) is a good value premium cremation plan, which includes an officiant to conduct the service and two mourners’ limos to follow the hearse.

 

All of Plan with Grace's plans include doctors fees, allow two names on the policy (the plan is used for whoever dies first) and come with a discounted will service (£49).

Affordable Funerals

 

- Price range: £1,490 - £3,820

- Interest charged on monthly payments: free for 30 days, then variable

- Payout promise (3): Yes

- Cancellation fee: free for 30 days, then £299

- Joint policy: No

- Fee for moving home: Charges may apply
- Collection of body: 24 hours / 7 days a week 

Affordable Funerals offers good value prepaid funeral plans that guarantee to cover your cremation costs in full. All of its plans offer this feature.

 

If you don’t have the budget for a full-blown service but still want to be able to say a goodbye to family and friends, Affordable Funerals offer a 'celebration of life' plan costing £2,720.

 

Alternatively, it offers a traditional, prepaid plan (£3,280) which includes a hearse, pallbearers, and 24-hour collection of the body.

(1) After 13 months of up-to-date payments if paying in instalments. (2) After 24 months of up-to-date payments if paying in instalments. (3). After 12 months of up-to-date payments if paying over five / 10 years. After 24 months of up-to-date payments if paying over more than 10 years.

Want to compare more prepaid funeral providers?

One place to compare more prepaid funeral providers than just those listed above is Legacy of Lives – particularly if you've got a good idea of what you'd like at the funeral.

Free to sign up to, you'll first need to spend some time filling in your funeral plan wishes in the 'quick plan' or 'full plan' tab. Once finished, you can begin requesting quotes for your plan from prepaid funeral providers (there's no cap on how many quotes you can ask for). Where your plan is straightforward, you should be able to get a quote back in a couple of hours, but it can take nearer to a day or two if your plan is more complex.

Legacy of Lives will send your plan over to the funeral provider on your behalf for the purpose of the quote. Only if you go on to accept a quote will you be put in direct contact with the provider (meaning your contact details won't be shared before then).

Alternatively, if you want to narrow your search to local funeral providers, it's possible to do this on the Legacy of Lives website before requesting a quote.

Because Legacy of Lives is a fairly new service, we don't have any feedback on it yet, so if you do decide to try it, please share your experience in the MSE Forum.

Where can I go for further help?

If you need more help on funerals and their costs, you can get free and impartial guidance from the Government's Money Helper service or Citizens Advice.

You can also turn to FuneralAdvice.org – a consumer-orientated website set up by the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors in response to the CMA's criticism of the difficulties faced by the public in choosing funeral options.

What are the alternatives to a prepaid funeral plan?

If you don't have a prepaid funeral plan in place when you die, there are a few ways that your funeral could be paid for. These are the main ones:

  • Your estate pays. In the first instance, your family should check if there’s enough money left in the estate to pay for your funeral. 

  • Your family pays. If they have the means, your family might be able to pay for your funeral.

  • A public service funeral. If you have no family, or they can't afford to pay for your burial, your local council can arrange a public service funeral – but this is a no-frills option and you won’t have any choice in how, when or where the funeral is carried out. 

  • Direct cremation/burial. This is a cheaper alternative to a traditional funeral, but no mourners are allowed to be present and there's no funeral service of any kind.

  • Help from the state. If you or your partner get certain benefits, you might be eligible for a funeral expenses payment to help pay for some funeral costs, including cremation/burial fees, a doctor's certificate, death certificate and transport costs for the body and for mourners. You might also get up to £1,000 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director's fees, flowers or the coffin. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

Prepaid funeral plans Q&A

  • Will I still have a funeral if I can't afford a prepaid plan and don't have enough cash in my estate?

    Yes, but it might not be the funeral you want. When you die, the executors of your estate will have access to your money to arrange your funeral. If there's no cash available in your estate, it's possible for a relative to claim back funeral costs from your estate once your property (or other belongings) has been sold.

    If there's not enough money in your estate and the person organising your funeral is on a low income, they may (in some circumstances) qualify for a funeral payment from the Government.

    How much they'll get will vary depending on their circumstances, but the payments will usually cover the burial/cremation fee, cost of documents prepared, transport to the funeral, and up to £1,000 for other funeral director costs, such as the coffin and hearse. The funeral payment will need to be repaid, and it's usually taken from your estate before any debts or bills are repaid.

    Alternatively, if there's no money in your estate or nobody to arrange a funeral for you, your council can arrange a 'public health funeral'. This will be a very basic funeral on a set day – how the service runs varies between councils.

  • I just want a cheap funeral and no plan, what are my options?

    If you just want a simple funeral, you don't have to use a funeral director at all, so you could save a significant amount if someone is willing to organise the separate elements of your funeral.

    This involves registering the death, handling the paperwork and doctors' certificates and cremation application. However, if the death has been handled by a coroner, no doctors' certificates are required.

    However, it may also mean looking after the body and with waits of two weeks or more before cremation being fairly standard, issues of storage and care will have to be addressed. If this doesn't sound ideal, a funeral director could provide refrigeration or embalming and prepare a body for viewing.

    Depending on location, time slots and how much is done by others, it's possible to have a funeral for under £1,000 with a cheap cremation. A so-called 'direct cremation' means there will be no mourners, no service and no ceremony. Importantly, you may not get to view the body beforehand.

    A less basic, but still simple, cremation funeral involving having the deceased collected, an ordinary coffin, cremation and the ashes being handed over is about £1,700, with an average of £1,000 more for burials.

    The tables below give average prices for the main elements in cremation and burial funerals and the typical cost of optional extras. Some costs may be covered already, such as holding the body in a hospital mortuary.

    Average prices for the main elements of a funeral

    Collecting body No cost for someone personally collecting a body from a hospital mortuary. For a funeral director, it can cost £150-£300 depending on the time of day or up to about £500 if collecting from a care home, own house or out of hours.
    Cremation £400-£1,000 depending on whether the crematorium is privately or council owned, and on time slot.
    Burial £500-£2,000 depending on location (can be as much as £4,500 in London).
    Doctors' certificates £82 (not required for burials, or for deaths in Scotland)
    Minister or celebrant (not compulsory) £225
    Coffin suitable for cremation £200
    Cardboard coffin for burial £200
    Burial plot £300-£10,000+ depending on location and if council tax was paid; natural burial sites about £600
    Gravediggers £200-£450

  • Can I plan every detail of the funeral with a prepaid plan?

    Some extra details can be specified when you buy the plan. Depending on what they are – such as a specific musical performance – it may cost more. They won't necessarily be paid for within the plan, but your wishes should be noted for when the time comes. You'll need to let those left behind know if there will be extra to pay.

  • Should I use a comparison website?

    Comparison websites for prepaid funeral plans – such as Legacy of Lives – can help you to scan across the market, but the focus is typically on price and service details rather than the individual undertaker.

    Be mindful that while prices on comparison websites can appear competitive, you'll still need to be sure of what you're getting and confident it can be supplied at the price quoted. Check a provider's prices are up to date and be aware that despite appearances, they might not represent all the market or funeral directors local to you. 

    If you decide to do your own research, beware of dodgy companies mis-selling plans. There have been reports of widespread mis-selling in this industry, with vulnerable people being cold called and pressured into buying plans not right for them, and unscrupulous sales companies taking a hefty commission – in some cases up to £1,000.

    There have been nasty shocks for grieving families who find out there's not enough left in the plan for the funeral itself or that exclusions weren't clearly communicated. Don't fall for companies trying to lure you in with discounts that make you rush into a decision.

  • What if I want to change my mind about the arrangements?

    You're able to alter some funeral plans at any time without any administration costs. But if you want additional features added, there may be a cost for the service itself which you'll need to pay. Check the T&Cs with your plan provider before buying a plan, as many of the cheapest options don't allow amendments once bought. But the FCA regulations means you do have the option to downgrade your plan and receive a partial refund.

    Also, if you're adding extra services, it's worth checking if the amount you have paid will increase in line with inflation. If it doesn't, there's a risk your family will have to pay extra later on.

  • Can a will override what's written in a funeral plan?

    If something is written in the deceased's will that is different from the funeral plan – even if the will was written after the plan – what has been covered and paid for in the funeral plan will go ahead unless the executors decide they want to go with the wishes in the will. Then it will be down to them to make the necessary changes and pay for any costs this may incur.

  • How do I complain about a funeral plan provider?

    First complain to the provider itself; it should be able to resolve your issue. If you aren't happy with the resolution, you can take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman. If the complaint is about something that happens once the plan is put into action, a relative can complain, although it would normally be restricted to an executor or the relative named on the plan.

    If your complaint is about the funeral director, not the plan provider, you can contact one of the two funeral director trade bodies: National Association of Funeral Directors or The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.

  • What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

    It depends on the provider and what payment plan you've chosen. If you're paying by monthly instalments for between one and 30 years, generally you'll be given 30-60 days to make the missed payment. If you miss that, your plan will be cancelled and you'll get all your money back, minus the cancellation charge.

    If you're paying by ongoing fixed monthly payments (which we warn against doing), your plan could be cancelled and you'll receive nothing back.

  • Is an over-50s' life insurance plan the same as a prepaid funeral plan?

    No, they're not the same. We're not fans of over-50s' life insurance plans, where most people end up paying far more in than they get out. There has also been much consumer confusion following misleading promotion of them over how much they could deliver, especially regarding funeral costs.

    Funeral plans are different. That's because you can pay in one go upfront, or a set amount each month for a set period of time (typically for up to five years or less) – so there doesn't have to be ongoing payments for life. Also, once bought, certain basic services you want in your funeral are guaranteed to be provided. The rest, depending on the contract, may be partially paid.

  • What happens if I don't tell anyone I have a funeral plan?

    When you die, whoever is looking after your estate will need to notify the funeral plan provider or your nominated funeral director, who will arrange and pay for the funeral, so it's important you tell people you have a plan. The best place to do this is in your will.

    If you don't document it, but your family think you had a plan and just don't know where you bought it from and what the details are, your only option right now is to contact all the authorised funeral plan providers, using the FCA register.

    The funeral plan provider will keep a copy of everything you have requested as part of your plan, so as long as your family know who the funeral plan provider is, they don't have to track down any specific documents. But it's always a good idea to have your own copy and ensure everyone knows where it is when the time comes.

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