Preparing for the Send-off You Want

Let’s face it – no one wants to talk about growing old. We’d much rather spend our time enjoying these present moments with family and friends than look ahead to the inevitable. But it pays to prepare for the future by discussing a plan for your passing and the financial and emotional impact that this can have on your family.

Funeral plans can be of great benefit in the planning process, but it’s helpful to know what they are and how they work. If you’re not sure about your need for a funeral plan or how to choose one, we have you covered.

What, Exactly, is a Funeral Plan?

Most funeral plans work the same way. Money is paid in advance to a funeral director to cover the cost of a ceremony, cremation, burial, or celebration of your choice, locking in today’s prices. Given funeral prices have increased tenfold over the last decade, having a funeral plan in place means there is less of a need to set aside savings for a send-off.

This planning tool gives some peace of mind to you and your family, who will be safe in the knowledge that your wishes will be honoured without breaking the bank.

There was a time when planning for a funeral was as simple as paying a set amount to your funeral director of choice. The hope was that by the time you or a loved one passed, the provider would be available to follow through with your wishes for a send-off. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always a safe bet.

Today, the idea of a pre-paid funeral plan has evolved, with protections in place like having the money kept in trust or a life assurance plan. This means that regardless of what happens with the funeral director, you can rest assured that those funds are protected and ultimately are used to fulfill your wishes.

Taking Away Financial and Emotional Stress

Locking in today’s prices for funeral costs is helpful in keeping financial stress at bay, but there is another inherent benefit to putting a funeral plan in place. Families often struggle with what their loved ones wish to take place at their funeral. Burial or cremation, a mourning or a celebration? It can be emotionally draining to discuss these details once someone has passed away.

A funeral plan allows you to detail your wishes well in advance, making life easier for your family. A call to the funeral provider sets things in motion, and the funeral plan put in place takes care of the financial aspect of it all. Family members have little to worry about when the time comes.

Differences in Plans

While funeral plans play an important role in your overall financial planning, not all plans are created equal. There are countless plan options, features, and providers willing to take on the task of creating and delivering the send-off you want, and it can be difficult to know which is most appropriate for you and your family.

First, be sure to understand what’s covered in the plan. Some options lock in the cost of a funeral director’s services but may include expenses for burial, third-party vendors, or special requests that increase over time. Funeral plans could also have exclusions that limit the distance the funeral director will travel or where the burial site may be.

Additionally, it is important to select a plan from a qualified provider. Funeral plan companies should be part of the self-regulatory Funeral Planning Authority which encourages compliance with a code of practice.

If you’re unsure where to start with this search, get in touch with Peter Brown from Best Funeral Plans - let him know you’ve come via Jones Hill .

Email: peter@bestfuneralplans.co.uk
Direct Dial: 02381 920168
Mobile: 07719 819240
www.bestfuneralplans.co.uk

We know talking about death is not an enjoyable task, but getting the right plan in place helps takes away the worry for you and your family.