Do your loved ones know the type of funeral you would like?

Who will be responsible for arranging your funeral?

Are you thinking about how to pay for your funeral?

Are you worried about your loved ones having to pay the cost of your funeral?

Are you concerned that you may have to pay for the funeral costs of your parent?

If you are trying to find an answer to some or all of these questions, a Funeral Plan is likely to be a good idea for you. 

As part of our all round service and commitment to client care, Leech & Co can help you arrange a Funeral Plan so you will have the peace of mind that your funeral is paid for, you will have the funeral you want and your loved ones will not be left with the financial or emotional burden of arranging your funeral.

If you want to discuss Funeral Plans and how Leech & Co can help you, call us on 0161 749 9000 or contact us here or if you would simply like to find out more about Funeral Plans, please read on:

Do I need a Funeral Plan?

Planning your funeral is not something anyone wants to do or even think about.  It’s one of those things that gets pushed back to be done another day.  However, not planning your funeral can leave your loved ones in a very difficult position both emotionally and financially when you have passed away.  If you don’t plan your funeral, your loved ones will have to find the money to pay for it and agree the type of funeral you would have wanted at a time when they will be upset and grieving. 

However, putting a Funeral Plan in place as early as possible will give you peace of mind that you have arranged and paid for the funeral you want, that your family will not have to organise the funeral at what will be an upsetting and emotional time for them and that the financial burden of the funeral will not fall on your loved ones. 

How much does a funeral cost?

In 2019, the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK was £4,045.00.  There are additional payments, for example flowers, the wake, booking the Church etc, and there will be Solicitor’s fees to administer the Estate in accordance with the Will.  These additional payments can easily push the cost of a funeral above £8,000.00. 

The cost of a funeral is rising all the time.  On the basis of current figures, it is expected that by 2026, the average cost of a basic funeral will be just under £6,000.00.  With the additional payments, the cost of a funeral could be above £10,000.00 within the next 10 years.

How can I save money for my Funeral?

There are ways for you to save for your funeral, for example 50+ life insurance policies, cash ISAs and savings accounts.  Unfortunately, these are not reliable ways to save for your funeral as they may not meet the rising costs.  Some policies are only designed to pay out a set amount of money and do not take into account rising costs so your loved ones would need to find additional funds when the times comes. 

For your peace of mind and for total reassurance that your loved ones won’t have pay out for your funeral, a pre-paid Funeral Plan is a wise and sensible choice.

What is a Funeral Plan?

A Funeral Plan is a way of saving to pay for the cost of your funeral i.e. you pay a monthly payment for a certain number of months which guarantees the cost of the type of funeral you have chosen.  You can pay in one payment or over 1 year, 5 years or 10 years.  You can also personalise the type of funeral you want i.e. whether you want to be buried or cremated, the type of music or readings you want at the service etc.   

What is the benefit of a Funeral Plan?

The Funeral Plan guarantees to cover the cost of the funeral no matter how much funeral costs rise in the future and/or if you pass away during the payment period.  The cost of funerals is rising and this is likely to continue.  The Funeral Plan will protect you and your family from these rising costs and from paying any shortfall if you pass away before you have finished paying for the funeral.

For example, you choose the basic Funeral Plan for £2,895.00. You can pay this sum in one payment or a series of monthly payments over a certain period.  When you have paid £2,895.00 into the Funeral Plan, the payments stop.  When the time comes, the cost of a funeral has risen to, say, £3,895.00.  The Funeral Plan will pay for the cost of the funeral at £3,895.00 and there will be no shortfall for your family to pay.

Alternatively, you save the sum of £2,895.00 in a savings account.  When the time comes, the cost of a funeral has risen to, say, £3,895.00.  The money in the savings account will pay £2,895.00 towards the cost of the funeral, but your loved ones will be left to pay the shortfall of £1,000.00.

There are various providers of Funeral Plans available, but Leech & Co work with “Dignity”.  As part of our all-round service and commitment to client care, we can help you to arrange a Dignity Funeral Plan. 

Why Dignity?

• Dignity is a large, national firm and are highly rated and reviewed (5 Star Defaqto rating);
• There is a choice of 4 plans (Limited, Amber, Diamond and Pearl) to match your budget and each plan can be personalised for you;
• The price of the plan is fixed so the cost will not increase and once paid, there is nothing more to pay;
• The plans are flexible in terms of payments so you can choose to pay in one go, over 12 months or over 25 years (There is an admin fee for plans over 12 months);
• There are no upper age limits (for lump sum and up to 12 months instalment options, but for longer payment terms, the payments must be completed by the age of 85);
• There are no medical or health restrictions;

However, the main benefit to a Dignity Funeral Plan is the “Dignity Promise” for plans taken out for a period of more than 12 months: if you pass away after 12 months, but before you’ve finished paying for the plan, Dignity will cover the outstanding balance.

What is included in a Dignity Funeral Plan?

Included in a Dignity Funeral Plan:

• Full cost of Cremation / contribution to cost of burial*;
• Full, personal support from local Funeral Director;
• Guidance from the funeral director as to the process and paperwork;
• Collection, transportation, care and presentation of the body of the deceased;
• Coffin;
• Funeral director, driver and pallbearer to attend the funeral;
• Hearse and limousine for the family.

There are also additional advantages:

• The plan is flexible so if you move the plan will move with you to a local Funeral Director at no extra cost;
• The plan can be personalised in terms of special requests e.g. hymns, readings etc;
• Free telephone bereavement advice and support for loved ones.

* Cremation Fees are guaranteed within the plan, but burial fees are not guaranteed.  A sum of £1,220.00 will be paid towards burial fees;

How does a Dignity Funeral Plan work?

When you have decided which Dignity Funeral Plan works for you in terms of payments and the type of funeral you want, the plan is provided to a local Funeral Director.  At the time of your death, this nominated Funeral Director is notified and the plan comes into action.  Your family or loved ones will not have to pay any further expenses in relation to the funeral or take any further action in relation to organising the funeral except for the flowers, booking the Church, if required, and any other personal expenses, including the wake.  Essentially, a Funeral Plan is designed to give you and your loved ones peace of mind in relation to your funeral.

Is a Dignity Funeral Plan right for me?

At Leech & Co, we believe it is vital that everyone has a plan in place to protect their future and their family’s future.  A Funeral Plan is a crucial part of this.  It protects you and your family against the rising cost of funerals, it give you peace of mind knowing that your funeral is arranged and paid for and it gives your family peace of mind knowing that your wishes have been carried out with the funeral you have chosen.

There are other funeral plans available and other ways to plan and save for your funeral, but we believe that a Dignity Funeral Plan fully protects you and your family and it makes financial sense.  If you wish to purchase a Dignity Funeral Plan, we can help you to arrange this at no additional cost to you.

We are happy to discuss Funeral Plans with you generally and answer any questions you may have.  Please call us on 0161 749 9000 or contact us here.