A prepaid funeral plan can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind during these uncertain times.
Whilst it’s not the cheeriest of subjects to address, the selfless act of planning and paying for your funeral in advance, will one day relieve an enormous burden from your loved ones.
We asked the UK’s largest insurance broker Reassured to help answer some questions Phoenix FM listeners may be having during this challenging period for many…
But how has the coronavirus affected prepaid funeral plans in the UK?
Essentially, funeral plans taken out at this time are unaffected by the pandemic. You can still buy a funeral plan and have all your essential funeral services paid for and arranged in advance.
There are various plans to choose from offering different levels of service at different price points.
You can pay for a plan in full or spread the cost over a number of months or years depending on your budget.
The government has imposed restrictions on funerals taking place whilst the virus is still prevalent, mainly in terms of who can and can’t attend a funeral, the number of mourners able to attend, and maintaining social distancing where possible.
Therefore, there may be some limitations to the services included in existing funeral plans that are redeemed during this period.
Can I still buy a prepaid funeral plan even if I have coronavirus symptoms, have tested positive or if I am in one of the ‘high-risk’ groups?
Yes. Funeral plan providers won’t require any medical information from you and acceptance is guaranteed to UK residents (albeit some plans are available to people aged 50+ only).
So even if you’re experiencing symptoms, have tested positive or you’re in one of ‘high-risk’ groups, you can still take out a plan; no questions asked.
Can I still make the arrangements for my funeral in advance, and have the funeral that I want?
Yes. Once you have taken out a plan, all the funeral arrangements can be made over the phone with a professional funeral planner.
You can choose a plan that includes all the services you require, and the funeral planner will record your final wishes, so your last goodbye will be exactly how you want it to be.
Growing in popularity, perhaps due to the pandemic, are prepaid plans for direct cremation. Some providers offer this as a simple, low-cost alternative to a standard funeral plan.
A direct cremation is simply a cremation without a traditional funeral service or anyone in attendance. It means you can still protect your loved ones from your funeral expenses, but they are able to wait until it’s a safe time to arrange a proper memorial service at which all family and friends can attend.
Have funeral plan prices changed due to Covid-19?
No. Funeral plan prices haven’t changed. Post Covid-19, things should return to normal for the funeral industry.
However, funeral costs are expected to continue to rise at an unprecedented rate, much like they over the last 16 years. Research carried out by SunLife found that funeral costs have risen 130% since 2004.
The average cost of a basic traditional funeral in the East of England, pre-Covid, reached a staggering £4,881.
Many families run into debt after paying for a loved ones’ funeral, when they’ve had to use credit cards or take out a loan to cover the bill.
Unexpected funeral costs can be devastating, particularly when a family are coming to terms with a loss as well, emphasising the importance of planning ahead for this considerable expense.
A prepaid funeral plan actually allows you to freeze today’s cost of a funeral, as plan providers will guarantee the services included in the plan, no matter how much prices rise – protecting your loved ones from higher funeral prices in the future.
How can I buy a funeral plan, do I have to go to the funeral home?
No, you don’t have to go to the funeral home to buy a funeral plan.
A funeral plan can be bought online or over the phone, so you don’t have to leave the comfort and safety of your home if you don’t want to or are self-isolating.
You could go directly to the funeral plan provider’s website, or you could use an FCA registered broker, such as Reassured, who’s able to compare the best plans on your behalf and provide you with several quotes.
There’s no fee to use this service, and there’s no obligation to take out a plan. They simply provide you with all the information you need, so that you can make an informed decision.
