Life insurance or funeral plan?

Beverley

Last month my 17 year old son's funeral cost £3021. His death was sudden and unexpected - he was hit by a car whilst crossing the road - and of course, I hadn't planned for his death so had no savings to cover the cost.

The £3021 included the burial plot in a woodland, the hearse, one limo, one newspaper announcement, a cardboard coffin, transferring him from the hospital to the funeral directors, the Humanist Celebrant's fees (£150), and caring for him whilst he was at the funeral directors'. I think that's everything.

To be honest, although it's a large sum of money, it was about half what I expected. People seems to talk in terms of 'thousands' when they speak of funeral expenses so I had thought of around £6k. Even though it's a large sum of money, I was relieved it was 'only' £3k.

Be_Happy

Beverley - sorry to hear about your son.


When choosing a plan, make sure there are several Funeral Directors in your area in the plan.

I was considering these recently, but was concerned by a note in the small print that when a funeral became due, if there was no longer a local Funeral Director in the plan, they would try to get another Funeral Director to take on the funeral at the same cost. If this wasn't possible you would get your money back, so 'no problem'. I think this would be a real problem for a funeral some time in the future as you would have missed out on any interest on the money you paid initially and funeral costs could have risen dramatically by then.

I read so much on the subject that I can't remember which company had this info, but do watch out.

mary-op

My mum took out a funeral plan that cost £2,410 - she paid up front for it, even made a note of the hymns she wanted. Made life a lot easier for me and my brother -there was so much other stuff to sort out at the time if was a relief to know that at least we didn't have to worry about that. Two cars were included in the price she paid but on top of that was the catering as me and my brother no longer live in the area so the undertakers did that, and newspaper announcements,
OH and myself are currently looking in to natural burials and had a price list this morning -single burial plot is £400.l Hard to work the rest out as there;'s no price list for the various coffins and its extra £125 interment fee.
They've got an open day next Thursday so I'll know more about it then - going to be a lot cheaper than mums.

McKneff

is there such a thing as a humanist cremation.
i dont want anyone spending hundreds and hundreds of pound and then just burning it. Other things of course wuold come into it. No limo, no flowers, donations only,

I know this is a silly observation but why cant coffins be hired for cremations and would it be ethical. Seems an awful waste of resources, wood etc.

Beverley

We had a cardboard coffin for my son - I'm not sure f they are cheaper or dearer. I was just going for an eco friendly option. It was £395 inc delivery.

McKneff wrote: »

is there such a thing as a humanist cremation.
i dont want anyone spending hundreds and hundreds of pound and then just burning it. Other things of course wuold come into it. No limo, no flowers, donations only,

I know this is a silly observation but why cant coffins be hired for cremations and would it be ethical. Seems an awful waste of resources, wood etc.

Valli

If funeral plans won't pay out for two years why not open a cash ISA then? Save for it that way...

dzug1

Valli wrote: »

If funeral plans won't pay out for two years why not open a cash ISA then? Save for it that way...

The advantage of a funeral plan is that it pays out on death.

A cash ISA will not pay out until your executors have probate. In complicated cases and/or with a dozy solicitor that can take a year or so.

OK there are pros and cons either way - it's not necessarily clear cut.

Valli

I meant for the son/daughter (OP) to take out the ISA specifically so s/he would have immediate access when required (I was going to say if but ...)
Sorry!

JANEFEEHILY

can i ask is it the same with all funral plans not paying out fro 2 years also does this cover for the plot

EdInvestor

dzug1 wrote: »

The advantage of a funeral plan is that it pays out on death.

A cash ISA will not pay out until your executors have probate. In complicated cases and/or with a dozy solicitor that can take a year or so.

Banks will normally pay out promptly to cover funeral costs backed by an invoice before probate is granted.