When someone dies, the two most common factors for people wanting choice of their funeral director are reputation and cost.
This begs the questions:
Do you have a choice of funeral director when you buy a funeral plan?
Will you need to choose the funeral director when you buy a funeral plan?
How do you choose the right funeral director in advance when the factor of service could be wildly different by the time your funeral is needed?
Who is this guide for?
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3 mins
Can I choose my preferred funeral director when I buy a prepaid funeral plan?
Some plan providers will allow you to nominate your preferred funeral director, but it will depend on
Do I need to choose the funeral director when planning in advance?
No, you don't need to choose a funeral director when planning in advance. In some ways, it's easier not to nominate a funeral director for two reasons which we will come on to.
The important thing is not to let your indecision stop you from moving on with your plans. No one knows what's around the corner, but from the moment you plan and prepay your funeral, you can be certain in the knowledge of this:
Two reasons why it might be easier to leave the choice of funeral director to the funeral plan provider
Life is unpredictable
You might move to another part of the country in the future. Also, your choice of local funeral director today may not have the same reputation in the future. Also it may not be in the same hands or even be around when your funeral is needed.
In any of the above scenarios, your funeral plan provider will ensure your plan is placed with a local reputable funeral director. The plan provider's reputation depends on it!
Money matters
If your choice of funeral director means the plan provider has to approach a funeral director outside of its panel, the cost of your funeral plan may increase. This is because your preferred funeral director may demand an extra payment for it to be commercially viable for them to take on your funeral plan.
The fact is that some funeral directors can be considerably more expensive than others, but this doesn't have to mean the quality of the service is any less.
Your funeral plan provider will appoint a funeral director within its panel, who will be contracted to deliver your funeral when it's needed, at the price you were quoted.
Should I be concerned if the funeral director that I want, and who is eventually appointed, isn't already on the funeral plan providers panel?
No - providing you are happy to pay the extra, if indeed there is anything extra to pay for your preferred choice of funeral director to deliver your funeral plan.
Some funeral directors prefer to have the freedom to accept or decline a funeral plan on an ad-hoc basis, rather than being appointed automatically.
What should I look out for if I want to choose which funeral director delivers the service in my funeral plan?
If you are still keen to choose your funeral director, here are three key things you should look out for when planning in advance to ensure you find the right one.
Look for a mark of service quality
Consider choosing a funeral director who belongs to a funeral trade association. (not every funeral director is a member). Or who is certified in some other way that assures you of a quality standard of service.
There are two funeral trade associations in the UK, whose registered members must abide by a strict Code of Practice.
Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors Independent (SAIF)
Includes independent funeral director members only
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
Includes independent and chain funeral director members
Both associations monitor their members’ compliance with a Code of Practice. This includes a premises inspection and interviews with key personnel.
Get a recommendation
Ask friends and family for their experience.
Check online reviews
Validate word of mouth recommendation with ratings and comments on review sites. To make sure the reviews are impartial, honest and genuine, here are some things to look out for.
Useful RESOURCES
Funeral trade association
Members: Group and independent funeral directors
National Association of Funeral Directors
Funeral trade association
Members: Independents funeral directors only
Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors
