Funeral Plans
What is a funeral plan? 
A funeral plan lets you pre-pay the cost of your funeral director's services. You choose the funeral you want and fix the cost of your funeral director's services included in your plan at today's prices. A plan can save your family worry and expense, and help make things easier for your loved ones at a difficult time. As the families we service tell us, that can be a big weight off your mind. 

Do something amazing for your family
Few people like to talk abut their funeral. A funeral plan can make things easier for everyone - so that when the time comes, just one phone call is all that's needed to activate your plan. Everything will then be taken care of and carried out according to your wishes, relieving your family of the stress and financial worry they may otherwise have to face.
A funeral plan tailormade for you
  • Arrange the send off you want with a trusted, local funeral director
  • Plans are tailored to suit your needs and your budget
  • Your family will receive a genuinely personal service when it really counts
  • Your payments are secure and guaranteed to cover the funeral director's services in your plan
Your family in the best of hands - that's a promise
Over the years we've learned that just as no two people are the same, no two funerals are either.
The last thing we want is for you to feel pushed into choices you're not happy with. We can take care of every aspect of your plan in a truly personal way. With a plan in place you'll have the reassurance of knowing your family will receive caring support and service when it matters most. When the time comes, you can rely on us carrying out your wishes to the letter. 

A trusted partnership
Our funeral plans are provided by Golden Charter - one of the UK's largest funeral plan providers. Over 815,000 customers have chosen to plan ahead with Golden Charter.
Why planning ahead makes great financial sense 
Funeral costs are going up every year. You might be surprised to hear that, while the average cost of a funeral in 2004 was £1920 in 2021 it was £4056. That's an increase of 111% - more than double - and well above inflation.  
Plan ahead and beat rising prices
Nobody wants their family to face money worries in the future. A Funeral Plan lets you fix the cost of the funeral director’s services included in your plan at today’s prices. Even if prices rise in the future, once your plan is paid for, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing there’ll be nothing more to pay for these services - and that’s guaranteed.
Each of our plans include an allowance towards third party costs. These are the costs for essential, non-funeral director services required to carry out a cremation or burial. The funeral director cannot control these costs, and these fees need to be paid at the time of the funeral.

Your money is safe and secure
Payments for your funeral plan are paid into the Golden Charter Trust* which is run by a Board of Trustees. The Trust is completely independent of Golden Charter. The Trustees are chosen for their skills and experience, and safeguard the payments made by the plan holders. They make sure all future payments can be made, which means Gold Charter Trust can guarantee the funeral director services included in your plan. 
*This excludes the fixed monthly payment option where money is paid into a UK life assurance company and managed by them
 
A smart alternative to saving
With the rise in funeral costs outstripping inflation and interest rates, there's no guarantee that, when the time comes, your bank or building society savings will cover the cost of your funeral. Over 50s insurance policies usually pay out a fixed sum, but don't guarantee to cover your funeral director's costs in the future. With either of these options your family may need to make up the shortfall to pay for your funeral or wait until assets from your estate are available. Our funeral plans guarantee to pay for the funeral director's services covered by your plan at the time they are required. 

Planning ahead the Independent Way
Most people don't want to think about arranging their own funeral, which is only natural. But there is some quiet satisfaction to be gained from putting your affairs in order and reflecting on the most appropriate arrangements. 

A plan that's tailored to your needs
As an independent funeral director, we'll take the time to understand your wishes and tailor a plan to suit you exactly. We will gladly meet you at our premises or in your home at any time you choose. You can tell us about any preferences you have in mind - the type of funeral you would like to have, hymns music or any other personal touches - and we'll make sure your plan takes these into account. 
What funeral costs do I need to cover?
As well as the funeral director's services, which are guaranteed to be covered as set out in your plan, there are other third party costs you need to consider:

Funeral Director Services 
These costs are guaranteed to be covered by your Independent Way Funeral Plan.
  • Professional services and making arrangements for cremation or burial.
  • Conveyance of the deceased from place of death to the funeral director's premises, chapel of rest or other suitable location.
  • Care of the deceased and preparations for family viewing if requested.
  • Advice on the certification and registration of death and related documentation.
  • Provision of funeral vehicles.
  • Advice on bereavement counselling.
  • Coffin or casket requested.

Third Party Costs
These costs are outside the control of the funeral director but will be paid by them to the third parties at the time of the funeral. They may include:
  • Crematorium fee.
  • Clergy or officiant's fee.
  • Purchase of grave.
  • Cemetery fee: the opening of a new or existing grave for burial or interment of cremated remains.
  • Hire of church or other venue.
  • Fees of organist or soloist.
  • Memorial, such as headstone, entry in a book of remembrance or the planting of a tree.
  • Catering, floral tributes and newspaper announcements.
Plan administration fee
It is necessary for a one-off plan administration fee to be applied to the cost of every plan. This fee covers all of Golden Charter's costs in setting up the plan, the work involved in the preparation of the funeral arrangements.
Ready to take the next step? Get in touch today. Call 01274 582640 or Contact us
 As well as the comfort of having a tailored plan in place, you'll have the peace of mind that comes with being able to save your family worry and expense in the future. So why not call us on 01274 582640 now? We'll happily answer any questions you may have - without any obligation to buy.
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