Funeral Plan Costs

If you’re considering planning ahead and paying for your funeral in advance, one of your first questions is likely to be a very practical one.

How much do funeral plans cost?

There’s no single answer because funeral plans aren’t all the same. The price depends on the type of funeral you choose, the funeral plan provider, what’s included and how you decide to pay.

A simple direct cremation plan usually costs less than a plan that includes an attended service, while a more traditional funeral with a hearse, pallbearers, and a procession generally costs more.

But when comparing funeral plan costs, the headline price only tells you part of the story. Here’s what to look for.

How much are funeral plans?

Funeral plan prices can vary significantly depending on the services included.

At Funerals with Grace, our current cremation plans range from £1,595* to £3,595*:

• Direct – £1,595*: An unattended direct cremation
• Rose – £2,295*: A simple attended committal
• Bluebell – £2,895*: An attended cremation with greater flexibility around the service
• Violet – £3,595*: A more traditional funeral with elements including a hearse, pallbearers and procession.

(*T&C’s apply)

The difference in price reflects the difference in the funeral being provided.

That’s why asking “How much is a funeral plan?” is useful, but asking “What’s included in that price?” is even more important.

What affects the cost of a funeral plan?

Several things can influence how much a prepaid funeral plan will cost.

• Whether the cremation is attended

An unattended direct cremation is usually the simplest and least expensive option.

The cremation takes place without mourners present and without a funeral service at the crematorium. Some families then choose to hold their own memorial or celebration of life separately.

If you’d like family and friends to attend the cremation itself, you’ll need an attended option.

• The type of service

Attended funeral plans can range from a simple committal with a small number of mourners to a fuller funeral service.

Think about whether having time for music, readings, a religious or non-religious service and other personal elements is important to you.

• Traditional funeral elements

A traditional funeral may include additional services such as a hearse, pallbearers and funeral procession.

If those traditions matter to you, look for a plan that specifically includes them rather than assuming they’re provided with every attended funeral.

• What’s included as standard

This is where comparing funeral plan costs becomes particularly important. A lower-priced plan may look attractive, but check whether services that matter to you (such as out-of-hours collection or removal of medical devices) are included or would need to be paid for separately.

• What should I compare besides price?

If two funeral plans have different prices, don’t immediately assume the cheaper one offers better value.

Start by putting their inclusions side by side.

Look at areas such as:

• Collection of the person who has died
• Where collection is available from (home, hospital, care home)
• Whether there are restrictions on collection times (out of hours, weekends)
• The coffin provided (is an oversized coffin included as standard?)
• Care before cremation (removal of medical devices?)
• Crematorium fees
• Whether mourners can attend
• How much time is available for a service
• Choice of crematorium
• Music and readings
• Hearse and pallbearers
• What happens to the ashes
• Any additional costs your family could face.

You may find that two plans with similar names provide quite different services.

What do Funerals with Grace plans include?

All Funerals with Grace funeral plans include core services such as collection of the person who has died in mainland UK at any time, day or night; a suitable coffin (including oversized if required); cremation with crematorium fees paid; specialist family support; and removal of medical devices.

The precise services available differ according to the plan selected.

For example, our Direct plan provides an unattended cremation, while Rose, Bluebell and Violet provide different levels of attended service.

Additional items you or your family choose, such as flowers and catering, aren’t included as standard. Always check the individual plan documentation for the complete list of inclusions, exclusions and terms before buying.

How much are prepaid funeral plans if I pay monthly?

You don’t necessarily have to pay for a funeral plan in one lump sum.

At Funerals with Grace, there are currently three ways to pay:

• Pay in full – You can make one payment for the full cost of your chosen plan.

• Pay over 12 or 24 months – You can spread the cost over 12 or 24 months with no instalment fees or charges.

• Pay over 3 to 5 years – Longer payment terms of three, four or five years are also available. An instalment charge of 6.5% applies to these options.

Eligibility criteria apply, and you should check the full terms, total amount payable and what happens if you die before completing your payments before choosing an instalment option.

Is paying monthly cheaper?

Not always. Spreading payments can make the monthly amount more manageable, but you should always look at the total amount payable, not just the monthly figure.

For example, where an instalment charge applies to a longer payment term, the total amount you’ll pay will be higher than the plan’s single-payment price.

A smaller monthly payment can look attractive, but it shouldn’t hide the overall cost.

Can a prepaid funeral plan protect against future funeral price rises?

A prepaid funeral plan allows you to pay in advance for the specified funeral services included in your contract.

Rather than assuming every possible future funeral expense has been covered, check exactly what your plan guarantees to provide.

If your family later chooses additional products or services outside the plan, you may need to pay for them separately.

Is the cheapest funeral plan the best option?

Not always. If you genuinely want a simple unattended cremation, paying more for a traditional funeral plan containing services you don’t value may make little sense.

Equally, choosing an unattended plan purely because it’s cheaper may not be appropriate if having your family present at the cremation is important to you.

The aim shouldn’t be to spend as little or as much as possible. It’s about focusing on what matters to you and getting things in place in advance.

How can I avoid unexpected funeral costs?

Before buying a plan, ask the funeral plan provider to explain clearly:

• What is included
• What isn’t included
• Whether any services have limits or restrictions
• What your family might still choose or need to pay for
• What happens if circumstances change
• How the plan is paid for
• What happens if you die during an instalment period.

Read the plan documents rather than relying only on advertising or a headline price.

Funeral plan costs: frequently asked questions

How much does a direct cremation funeral plan cost?

Prices vary between providers. At Funerals with Grace, our Direct Cremation Plan currently costs £1,595* (T&C’s apply) when paid in full.

When comparing direct cremation plans, check what’s included as well as the price because providers’ services and terms can differ.

Are funeral plans more expensive if you pay monthly?

This depends on the payment arrangement. Some instalment periods may have no additional instalment charge, while longer terms may increase the total amount payable.

Do funeral plans include cremation fees?

This depends on the plan. Funerals with Grace plans include the relevant crematorium fees within the services provided by the plan.

Is a funeral plan the same as funeral insurance?

No. A prepaid funeral plan and funeral insurance are different products. With a funeral plan, you’re arranging specified funeral services in advance.

Funeral or over-50s life insurance typically involves paying premiums for an insurance policy that pays a cash sum when you die, subject to the policy’s terms. That money can then potentially be used towards funeral costs, but the funeral itself hasn’t necessarily been arranged in advance.

If you’re comparing ways to make financial provision for your funeral, make sure you’re comparing like with like.

Does a funeral plan cover everything?

Not necessarily. Plans cover the specific services set out in their terms. Extras such as flowers, catering and other personal choices may sit outside the plan.

Look beyond the price. Funeral plan costs matter, especially when planning ahead. But the most useful comparison isn’t always “Which one is the cheapest?” It should be:

“What do I want my funeral to look like, what’s included in this plan and what will I actually pay?”

Once you know those three things, comparing funeral plans becomes much easier.

At Funerals with Grace, we’re happy to explain our plans, prices and payment options so you can make your own informed decision.