The Great Planning for Death Hunt

MSE_Martin

What's it about?

Well, without wanting to sound too morbid it does what it says on the coffin! One thing none of us can avoid is the prospect of dying and while some may prefer not to think about it and leave it up to our loved ones to fork out, many would rather have the peace of mind of knowing it's sorted out before the time comes.

What to do

So I thought I'd tap MoneySavers' wealth of knowledge and ideas to collate a list of tips and suggestions on where MoneySavers can cut the cost of planning a funeral, making a will or even providing for childrens' and grandchildrens' futures.

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phoebe03cat

Don't tell me Martin hasn't found a way to take it with him yet?:rotfl:

sillyvixen

my auntie preplanned and paid for her funeral 15 years ago..she did it so as her children wouldn't have to deal with it - also as prices have risen in the last 15 years so she will have made savings as her next of kin will not be paying funeral costs at curent rates and therefore will benifit more frome her estate.

Strapped

phoebe03cat wrote: »

Don't tell me Martin hasn't found a way to take it with him yet?:rotfl:

Yes...by cheque (old joke, I know, groan...)

inkie

I am a minister and so have a lot of dealings with the funeral directors. I was there the other day having a coffee with them, and they told me that if you are a Co-op divvy member (which costs £1 to join), then you get £56 reduction on the funeral bill if you use Co-op funeral service. Better in your pocket than theirs.
Can I add as well that if you have a 'pre-paid' plan, then if the deceased is a a church member and therefore your minister doesn't charge a ministers fee, then please ensure that the final bill is checked, as this fee is costed in for a pre-payment plan, and so will need reimbursing.

Emma37

The small number of replies to Martin's thread just shows that it's something people don't want to think about. It's something we should all plan for, but it's a horrible thought so I suppose we just switch off when the subject comes up. For the sake of our loved ones though we should try to make things easier for them.

Older_but_not_wiser_2

Make sure someone knows where a copy of your will is kept.

Strapped

Good point from older not wiser. When we made our wills, the company gave us little cards to give to the executors stating where the wills were stored.

I'm also in the process of making "the little black book of all things financial to do if I die", because hubby wouldn't have a clue - listing bank accounts, credit cards, life policies, etc. (Having been through two recent bereavements, I wish they'd done this).

As far as what they do with my body, I really won't care, as I'll be dead, and my nearest & dearest know to do whatever suits them best and easiest - bin liner (bio degradable of course) in the back garden would be fine by me, although it might devalue the house so a basic cremation might be better. No minister required, so that's one fee saved.

sillyvixen

my auntie preplanned her funeral as she didn't believe her children would carry out her whishes - she has planned it right down to the hymns she wants. she has the piece of mind in doing that..also as it is prepaid she has made significant savings in this... bless her she is in her 80's and had recently had a heart attack and will hopefully not need to test this theory - but hopefully when her time comes she will have her whishes carried out as she had planned.

DdraigGoch

I've planned out my funeral and I'm a healthy 50ish! I really must get around to paying for it ahead of time. The children & OH know what to do, true MSE style where possible ...

I think it only makes sense - as Martin said, it does what it says on the coffin. Had me laughing all the way through this thread - thank you.

Thank you for the reminder about the wills and keeping a little black book with the information somewhere safe. I have a deed box so shall probably put it there, and a copy with my solicitor/bank

DG

ailuro2

In a wicker coffin in a wood/forest somewhere nice so my DD can come and have a picnic, hopefully with her kids, and tell them how lovely her mum and dad were....

The money is available, but I really do need to get round to making a will.