Funeral arrangements

Peco141

My mums condition is quickly deteriorating and I've been advised to get in place a funeral plan with the local coop to reduce the overall costs while the are offering lower rates.

However I'm not sure if mum already has something in place. I cannot find any documentation at her house and she is now too ill to ask.

Does anyone know if there is a way I can find out if she has a pre-paid funeral arrangements already in place to ensure I'm not paying for two?

ariba10

Your local undertaker might be able to help?

[Deleted User]

Failing that, try Dignity or Golden Charter, who are two of the larger national providers.

Peco141

Ok thanks. I will make some calls tomorrow.

Margot123

Firstly, I am sorry to hear about your Mum's failing health. It is good that you are keeping your mind busy with practical things.
Your local funeral director at the Co-op (that has been mentioned), should be able to assist you. In my experience, all would be willing to help even if they knew they weren't getting your business.

Peco141

If I find out there is no plan in place would I be able to use my mums savings to take out a plan for just now?

I have her bank card and have been dealing with her financial affairs for some time while I await the power of attorney to come through.

Malthusian

If she did take out a funeral plan but you can't find any documentation for it despite all reasonable efforts, then you're not going to be able to claim on it when she's passed on either. Meaning it is useless to you and you're in the same position as if she'd never taken one out.

As a funeral plan reduces the money available for the donor's own needs in order to save money for their beneficiaries, and an attorney is obliged to act solely in the interests of the donor, I would question whether attorneys should be taking them out.

Who told you that the Co-op are offering lower rates? Sounds more like a marketing gimmick - buy now or miss out - than good planning.

Linton

I agree with Malthusians misgivings about the use of Mum's money, especially as you dont actually have PoA yet anyway.

Is Mum mentally capable of understanding her own financial affairs? If so you cant use her money without her knowledge. If not you MUST have PoA and be bound by the strict limitations that implies.

Mojisola

Peco141 wrote: »

My mums condition is quickly deteriorating and I've been advised to get in place a funeral plan with the local coop to reduce the overall costs while the are offering lower rates.

Malthusian wrote: »

Who told you that the Co-op are offering lower rates? Sounds more like a marketing gimmick - buy now or miss out - than good planning.

Like Malthusian, I would question the advice you've been given.

My parents bought their funeral plans years before they died and the price of a funeral had risen by the time they died.

If they had died fairly soon after buying the plans, there wouldn't have been any saving.

If you can face it, it could be worth visiting a couple of FDs and see whether you like one firm better than the others. Be very wary of anyone who uses emotional blackmail to try to upgrade to a more expensive arrangement than you want.

Pollycat

Mojisola wrote: »

Like Malthusian, I would question the advice you've been given.

My parents bought their funeral plans years before they died and the price of a funeral had risen by the time they died.

If they had died fairly soon after buying the plans, there wouldn't have been any saving.

If you can face it, it could be worth visiting a couple of FDs and see whether you like one firm better than the others. Be very wary of anyone who uses emotional blackmail to try to upgrade to a more expensive arrangement than you want.

I thought this was the idea of pre-paying for your funeral, like it worked for Mojisola's parents.

I'm not sure you would get much, if any, financial benefit by starting a plan now.

Who was it who advised you on this?

Sorry to hear about your Mum.

alanq

MSE article re Funeral Plans.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/prepaid-funeral-plans