funeral plan TYPE

Simple funeral plan

Attended | With ceremony | 0 family cars

What is a Simple funeral plan?

A funeral plan from the Simple range is the most cost-effective of all the traditional style funeral plans.

By 'traditional' we mean that there's a funeral director who will arrange the funeral when it's needed according to the details of the plan and the funeral director will oversee the funeral ceremony at the crematorium place of burial.

Any number of family and friends can attend, subject to the capacity of the venue.

This Simple type of funeral plan is an affordable and conventional cremation or burial send-off, with family and friends present, and with none of the ceremonial extras - such as a fancy coffin and family cars.

To compare prices, click here.

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Pros and Cons of a Simple Funeral Plan

When a Simple funeral plan may be right for you

All the funeral director's essential services are included, without the expense of ceremonial extras - such as family cars.
It includes a funeral ceremony for any number of family and friends to attend.
It includes a traditional motor hearse.
It includes either a basic wood-effect or mid-range quality coffin.
Family and friends have the option of visiting you in the Chapel of Rest or service room to say their goodbye.

When a Simple funeral plan may not be right for you

You want your family to have the flexibility of being able to choose the date and time of the funeral. (Flexibility available with some funeral plans only).
You would like your loved ones to have the option of being able to visit you in the Chapel of Rest or service room at any time. (A 24/7 service is not available with some Simple plans).
You would like to arrange for loved ones to be chauffeur-driven to the funeral, so they can arrive there safely and on time.
You would like a higher quality coffin made from wood veneer, solid wood or a higher spec'd natural material, e.g. willow or wool.

Your funeral your way, with this free Funeral Wishes Planner

You can support your loved ones financially with a prepaid funeral plan to protect them from continuing funeral price rises.

You can also provide emotional support by documenting your funeral wishes (right down to the choice of music in the hearse as it takes you on your final journey!) Or give loved ones permission to arrange your funeral as they see fit. Either way, they won't have to worry about whether your send-off is the way you would have wanted it. Keep a copy with your Will or funeral plan if you have one.

Get your free copy of the ultimate Funeral Wishes Planner and write down what you would like to happen .

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How much does a Simple funeral plan cost?

The cost of a Simple prepaid funeral plan starts from £2,390 if paying in a single lump sum. (Price excludes third-party cremation or burial fees). Other variations of Simple funeral plans and ways to spread the cost are available.

There are three factors that will affect the cost of a funeral plan and that you need to pay close attention to.

3rd party cremation or burial fees

A funeral plan will have one of three levels of cremation or burial fees cover: ‘Fully guaranteed’ (no more to pay), ‘Contribution’ **(may have more to pay), and ‘No contribution’. Any shortfall will need to be paid at the time of the funeral by your representative.

The more third-party fees cover you have, the more you will pay for the plan.

Tailoring your funeral plan

Some plan providers allow you to make changes, e.g. upgrade the motor hearse for a horse-drawn hearse. Tailoring might be a cheaper solution than choosing the next level of funeral plan up, but may not provide the best overall value.

Get in touch if your funeral plan provider to chat through your options.

Spreading the cost

Your options include paying in a single lump sum, monthly instalments, or lower fixed monthly payments which are payable for life or up to a specified age, e.g. 90.

Lower monthly payments are attractive, but you should be aware that you could end up paying more into the funeral plan than the funeral is eventually worth.

What does a Simple funeral plan include?

KEY
Included as standard in this plan type
Included in some plans of this type
Not included in this plan type

Before the funeral

Funeral arrangements made
The funeral provider will liaise with all third-parties (e.g. crematorium and doctors) and handle all paperwork.
Bringing you into care
You will be collected and cared for at the funeral home or some other suitable resting place until the funeral.
Embalming (optional)
Embalming restores a life-like appearance. This can be helpful if loved ones plan to visit before the funeral. Embalming isn't always necessary. The funeral director will advise. If required, this treatment can be purchased by your representative at the time of the funeral.
Chapel of Rest visit (optional)
Loved ones have the option to visit the Chapel of Rest or some other service room in private, before the funeral.
Personalisation
Personalise your funeral plan with requests that don't incur an additional fee, e.g. choice of music. The funeral director will do their best to accommodate your requests when the funeral is needed.
Option to pay for special requests
Pay a contribution towards services that aren't included in your plan, e.g. a different coffin, an additional family car, upgrade to a horse-drawn hearse, or third-party cremation or burial fees top-up.

On the day

Choice of date and time
Your personal representative will be able to choose the day and time of the funeral.
Funeral ceremony for family and friends to attend
There will be no restriction on the number of people that can attend the funeral ceremony.
Coffin: Basic | Standard | High Quality
Basic design:
Simple. Typically with plain sides and flat lid. Basic material:
MDF (or similar) with a wood effect wrap; solid eco-pine; or basic eco-material, e.g. bamboo.
Standard design:
May have panelled sides and / or a raised coffin lid.
Standard material:
MDF (or similar) with a wood effect wrap; wood veneer; or higher quality natural material, e.g. seagrass
Hearse: Traditional | Suitable vehicle
You'll be taken to the crematorium or place of burial in a motor hearse.
Choice of procession route
You can choose which route the funeral cars take on the way to the place of service. The only limitation is the mileage allowance included in the Plan.
All funeral staff needed on the day
Chauffeur-driven family car
Family car typically seats six passengers.
Mileage allowance
Typically 30 - 50 miles are included in a Traditional type of funeral plan. but can be unlimited.
Listing of floral tributes
The list provides a handy reference should the person responsible for overseeing your funeral arrangements want to send a 'thank you' note.

After the funeral

Administering charitable donations
The funeral provider will collect and distribute donations on your behalf.
Supply of 'Thank you' cards
Bereavement support for your family
Support will be provided either by the funeral staff, through a bereavement support group, or grief counselling specialist.

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What funeral plans don't include

It’s important to be aware of the things that aren’t commonly included in a funeral plan so that you can make financial provision for them if you want to, either as a contribution* amount in your funeral plan (if allowed) or by some other means, such as a savings account.

Conducting the funeral outside normal workday and working hours
Service at a separate location, e.g. church before the crematorium
Flowers
Funeral notices
Order of service stationery

Venue for the funeral reception and catering
The burial plot
Headstone or memorial
Repatriation from outside mainland Great Britain, ferry or air fares
Costs for removing artificial limbs and mechanisms, e.g. pacemakers

* Other exclusions may apply. Read your plan provider's terms and conditions.

Are the cremation or burial fees included in a funeral plan?

All set funeral plans guarantee to cover the funeral director's professional fees for arranging the funeral, caring for the deceased, supplying the coffin and providing a chauffeur-driven motor hearse. But not all funeral plans cover the necessary third-party cremation or burial fees.

Your options include a guaranteed funeral plan which ensures these third-party fees are included and there is nothing more for loved ones to pay, or a contribution funeral plan or no contribution funeral plan. Any shortfall would be paid at the time of the funeral by your next of kin, for example. To learn more, watch the video below.

How to find the best value prepaid funeral plans using the sQored rating

sQored - Funeral Plan Service Quality Close Up

Using expert funeral industry knowledge and methodology, sQored generates a service and quality score for each prepaid funeral plan. sQored does this by carefully scrutinising 12,500 sets of data. This includes looking closely at the funeral plan key features and the small print terms and conditions.

You'll find the sQored rating next to each funeral plan quote when you compare.

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Why other funeral plan rating systems are ineffective

Plan Provider	sQored Rating	%
Golden Leaves Silver Guaranteed		67 %
Dignity Amber Guaranteed		64 %
Dignity Limited Guaranteed		59 %
Golden Leaves Glade Contribution		59 %
Co-op Funeralcare Bronze Guaranteed		57 %
Golden Leaves Zinc Contribution		57 %
Funeral Partners Choice Essentials Contribution		56 %
Safe Hands Pearl Contribution		55 %
Avalon Standard Contribution		53 %
Co-op Funeralcare Simple Contribution		52 %
Golden Charter Standard Contribution		52 %
Golden Leaves Bronze No contribution		52 %
Golden Leaves Glade No contribution		52 %
Safe Hands Topaz No contribution		49 %
Funeral Partners Choice Essentials No contribution		48 %
Golden Charter Value Contribution		44 %

Plan Provider	sQored Rating	%
Dignity Amber Contribution		56 %
Golden Leaves Silver Contribution		55 %
Golden Leaves Glade Contribution		54 %
Golden Leaves Zinc Contribution		54 %
Golden Leaves Bronze No Contribution		53 %
Dignity Limited Contribution		51%
Golden Leaves Glade No Contribution		51 %
Co-op Funeralcare Bronze Contribution		50 %
Funeral Partners Choice Essentials Contribution		50 %
Safe Hands Pearl Contribution		50 %
Avalon Standard Contribution		49 %
Co-op Funeralcare Simple Contribution		49 %
Safe Hands Topaz No contribution		49 %
Funeral Partners Choice Essentials No contribution		48 %
Golden Charter Standard Contribution		46 %
Golden Charter Value Contribution		41 %

Which type of prepaid funeral plan is right for me?

There are five types of funeral plan, catering for all preferences and budgets.

The types range from the lowest-cost, no frills direct cremation service with no funeral ceremony and no family and friends present, to the 'bells and whistles' type of funeral that has all the ceremonial extras and no restriction on the number of people who can attend.

Explore your options through these simple guides.

FUNERAL plan GUIDE