Funerals

[gas112]

Just remember burial plots /headstones etc are not usually covered by funeral plans

 

[motorbiking]

Parents paid 1100 quid each about 20 years ago included all funeral directors / crematorium /doctors etc costs and 1 car and hearse and a minister .
When my dad died 10 years ago average cost was about 3500/4000k .
Only had to pay another 250 quid for an additional car and as i done the entire service the funeral director knocked off £190 quid as they didnt have to hire a minister . .
So when my mother goes the savings will be even more . Backed by Golden charter . But i would say if you went with the co-op then you would have no worries about things going bust .
Mate has just paid around £3500 total for both him and his mrs pure cremation with the co-op

Your £1100 is worth roughly double at today’s value so that isn’t too bad. But obviously not guaranteed if they cease trading.

 

[blup]

I know a few people who pre paid their funeral, and organised the whole service, but that was after diagnosis of a terminal illness. It certainly took the pressure off loved ones.

 

[Old Salt]

Leave a will with clear instructions and if you can afford it a savings account to cover the cost. Better in your bank than someone else’s.

 

[gas112]

Your £1100 is worth roughly double at today’s value so that isn’t too bad. But obviously not guaranteed if they cease trading.

So that 1100 quid is buying something around 5k at todays prices .
Golden charter are backed by financial services compensation scheme and also got tens of millions in the bank .
And like the co-op couldnt see them going bust

 

[gas112]

Would say a good amount of older people have got some sort of death policy in place as that was the norm back in the 60`s /70`s when working class people wanted to make sure there was money there to bury them.
My mother has a policy worth a few thousand quid now originally back in 60`s was about 150 quid and because of the low premiums the company dont collect the premium and pay it themselves as its cheaper than collecting it

 

[securespark]

My Dad had a pre payment thing with the Co-op and while everything went OK, I went ballistic with them over the phone afterwards.

They rang up to ask my step mother how much her house was worth and other probing financial questions. I mean why?

I complained bitterly to the head cheese, but never got a reply.

 

[norseman]

Many thanks for all your replies folks .. provides me with food for thought.

I need to either do a pre-plan (though the opinions here are giving me doubts about taking that option) or deposit enough savings in an A/C to cover today's funeral cost in the hope that interest earned will cover inflation. At the moment my estate (less the home/contents which will go to my partner) is more than sufficient to fund a decent funeral, but that may not be the case in a few years time. By investing that money my remaining beneficiaries will lose out, but at least they won't have to pay my funeral costs .. they can't have their cake & eat it.

Both my partner & I have already decided on a local funeral director, on the grounds that they provided excellent service for a relative a few years ago, so perhaps I will also ask them for advice.

 

[motorbiking]

I would put the money in to a joint account with the other half. That way either of you have access to it if you die. Talk to the preferred supplier and write down what you would like and store it with your Will.

Are you married to your partner?

 

[MNW67]

They rang up to ask my step mother how much her house was worth and other probing financial questions. I mean why?

Maybe to get her as a Will client for a related solicitor.

 

[Highway Man]

On another angle to funeral plans. My neighbour is a funeral director and he is facing a long stretch in prison. He charged people for funerals that they didnt receive. He just stored their bodies in his fridges. He sold umpteen thousand payment plans that didnt exist. I always thought he was a bit. strange

 

[gas112]

Another strange one with funerals as my brother said dont waste money just burn me in a cardboard box .
At the time the cardboard box cost us 440 quid cheapest wooden one was only 385 quid , gave us a wee laugh at the time

 

[norseman]

I would put the money in to a joint account with the other half. That way either of you have access to it if you die. Talk to the preferred supplier and write down what you would like and store it with your Will.

Are you married to your partner?

No we are not married, both retired now & been together for 24 years.

 

[gas112]

If you join the co-op as a member then you get a discount on their funeral plans

 

[motorbiking]

No we are not married, both retired now & been together for 24 years.

Very important to make a will and understand inheritance rules.