Funeral plan advice

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Discussion

Fozziebear

Original Poster:

1,840 posts

147 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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Not sure if this is correct forum, but I'm after some advice on funeral plans, it's for my father (80's). His partner left him in May to go back to her family for support while she has treatment for cancer, she's no longer having it and its terminal, palliative care in place etc, no intention to return to their home. It's basically got my dad thinking about who's going to deal/cover the costs of his funeral, which hopefully is some years away. Has anyone had to look at this that can give me some guidance?

The Mad Monk

10,612 posts

124 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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If your father (or anyone) dies without funds to pay for the funeral, thrn unless a member of the family - or any other volunteer - steps forward to pay, then the council will give him a funeral.

Dashnine

1,491 posts

57 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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It depends if there going to be enough money in his estate to pay for a funeral, wake, etc.

This would (preferably I imagine) need to be cash rather than have to wait to sell house, assets, etc. to pay the undertakers (who will usually also pay the wake costs). The funeral costs can be paid out of the deceased's bank account without needing to wait for probate when the remaining funds are cleared and available.

The alternative is a funeral plan which may cost more or be limited in comparison to what you may want to do (choice of undertaker, etc.), but I cancelled my mothers as I believe she was persuaded into it when she clearly had the savings to (allow me to) pay for it at the time.

Fozziebear

Original Poster:

1,840 posts

147 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Dashnine said:
It depends if there going to be enough money in his estate to pay for a funeral, wake, etc.

This would (preferably I imagine) need to be cash rather than have to wait to sell house, assets, etc. to pay the undertakers (who will usually also pay the wake costs). The funeral costs can be paid out of the deceased's bank account without needing to wait for probate when the remaining funds are cleared and available.

The alternative is a funeral plan which may cost more or be limited in comparison to what you may want to do (choice of undertaker, etc.), but I cancelled my mothers as I believe she was persuaded into it when she clearly had the savings to (allow me to) pay for it at the time.
I think he will have enough funds in bank, I have power of attorney and I make sure he's got plenty in account to cover most expenses, he's probably got more than me at the moment smile

I want to put him at ease really, I could pay upfront for him, that way he's got what he wants

Halmyre

11,567 posts

146 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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Fozziebear said:
Dashnine said:
It depends if there going to be enough money in his estate to pay for a funeral, wake, etc.

This would (preferably I imagine) need to be cash rather than have to wait to sell house, assets, etc. to pay the undertakers (who will usually also pay the wake costs). The funeral costs can be paid out of the deceased's bank account without needing to wait for probate when the remaining funds are cleared and available.

The alternative is a funeral plan which may cost more or be limited in comparison to what you may want to do (choice of undertaker, etc.), but I cancelled my mothers as I believe she was persuaded into it when she clearly had the savings to (allow me to) pay for it at the time.
I think he will have enough funds in bank, I have power of attorney and I make sure he's got plenty in account to cover most expenses, he's probably got more than me at the moment smile

I want to put him at ease really, I could pay upfront for him, that way he's got what he wants
I recommend that. Funeral plans are bloody expensive but once it's set up it gives all parties peace of mind and when the day comes it's one less hassle to contend with.

ETA plan was with the Coop, not some shysters I saw on Quest +1 or whatever.

Edited by Halmyre on Monday 12th December 18:16

Brummiebeau

1,149 posts

99 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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My Mom had a funeral plan set up for when she died and it came in so so handy. As she died quite suddenly it was a godsend to have it in place because having £4/5/6k to pay for it would of been really difficult. She did has life insurance too which wasn't a great amount in the PH world but if it wasn't for the funeral plan then a chunk of that would of been gone to pay for the funeral after the fact.

The funeral director was really good dealing with it too.
ETA you can also pay for many many upgrades so don't think you would be limited to what you can or can't have at his funeral. Depending on the plan its just the basics that are covered.

Edited by Brummiebeau on Monday 12th December 16:06

General Price

5,464 posts

190 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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Are these companies not known to go bankrupt?
What about sticking a few quid in a savings account and just leave it until its needed.

Fozziebear

Original Poster:

1,840 posts

147 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Brummiebeau said:
My Mom had a funeral plan set up for when she died and it came in so so handy. As she died quite suddenly it was a godsend to have it in place because having £4/5/6k to pay for it would of been really difficult. She did has life insurance too which wasn't a great amount in the PH world but if it wasn't for the funeral plan then a chunk of that would of been gone to pay for the funeral after the fact.

The funeral director was really good dealing with it too.
ETA you can also pay for many many upgrades so don't think you would be limited to what you can or can't have at his funeral. Depending on the plan its just the basics that are covered.

Edited by Brummiebeau on Monday 12th December 16:06
Cheers, im sitting down with him at the weekend to go through it all, also checking Wills to make sure its all covered

sociopath

3,433 posts

73 months

Monday 12th December 2022
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Funeral plans benefit the company selling them.

Funerals don't have to be expensive or complicated, I've dealt with both my parents and my father in law in the last few years, and it's easy to just contact a funeral director and let them deal with all the logistics, then cut your cloth based on your finances.

I'd never give those blood sucking vampire companies, selling plans, a single penny

Kudos

2,673 posts

181 months

Sunday 18th December 2022
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My parents took out a policy with Legal and General when in their mid 70’s. £25 per month each, pays on death (think upper limit of 80 though). . There are two types - one which pays for the funeral and another which pays a lump sum instead. My father died recently (suddenly) and it paid out with no hassle whatsoever. Think the figure was £3.7k or so. He was “in profit” having only paid in a couple of £k in premiums, so suspect he’s smiling at that one.
I believe if you take a savings or loan from a credit union they sign you up for a life policy for free

grumpy52

5,717 posts

173 months

Monday 19th December 2022
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I have a plan through British Seniors insurance it is linked to a pre paid service with Golden Charter with my preferred funeral directors ,a local independent that has done many family services
We had a pre paid funeral with the same company for my dad . It's paid for upfront and future proofed against inflation. Many haven't realised that our funeral industry has been hijacked by American corporate companies and they have massively increased the costs.
There is a benefit amount available from the government, I believe it is about £2k for those who qualify via national insurance contribution. It provides for a basic funeral.
Pre planned should give me the send off that I want .

sib8292

26 posts

178 months

Thursday 22nd December 2022
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It s a gamble as to whether there is a cost saving - the sooner you die after paying for a funeral plan the worse the deal basically.

But there is one big advantage imho. Once the plan is set up with accompanying details of the actual funeral, order of service, etc etc, changing those after death is pretty difficult. So much less chance of arguments within family about the arrangements ("dad loved that hymn". No he didn't he hated that one, he loved this one". " I want to read this at the funeral". "Seriously? That's not appropriate". And on and on. )


and31

3,578 posts

134 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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I did the same for my father a couple of years ago, went with the Co op as we have a Co op undertaker very local to us, very glad I did.
When the time came they were utterly fantastic.what a huge help at the most difficult of times.