When funeral planning, it's common to wonder are funeral plans safe? Who keeps funeral plans safe? And what happens if your situation changes after you've taken out a funeral plan?
We've answered these questions below so you can make an informed decision about whether a funeral plan is right for you.
There are a number of ways we at Distinct Cremations and other regulated funeral providers keep funeral plans safe.
Once you take out a plan you can be reassured that the funeral service you’ve paid for will go ahead as agreed. Or if this is not possible you have the right to claim your money back.
Pre-paid funeral plans are products that let you pre-arrange and pre-pay for your funeral.
This means your loved ones don’t have to cover the costs of your funeral or make funeral arrangements while they are grieving.
Getting a funeral plan also makes sure you get the type of send-off you want.
How funeral plans work
Plans are sold by either funeral providers who carry out the funeral themselves or third parties who have relationships with funeral directors.
There is usually flexibility in how you can pay for a funeral plan.
Options include either paying upfront or in monthly instalments over a fixed period.
Ways to pay for funeral plansRegulations mean funeral plan providers must:
Funeral plan providers are not allowed to:
What a funeral plan includes can vary from plan to plan depending on what type of funeral you’d like e.g. a burial or cremation funeral.
It’s worth having a think and deciding what you’d like for your funeral before you pick your plan.
Feel free to give us a call if you'd like to talk through our funeral plan options.
| Plans usually include key funeral elements like: | Some plans will also include other services like: |
|---|---|
| The collection of the deceased | An urn for cremated ashes |
| Third-party fees | Eco-friendly add ons |
| A coffin | Embalming and viewing of the deceased |
| The burial or cremation | A hearse or limousines |
We specialise in simple and pared-down cremations which free up money to be spent elsewhere. That money can go towards supporting your loved ones or holding an alternative celebration of life event.
Choose between our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan, Small Attended Cremation Plans or Simple Funeral Plan.
For additional pricing information and a full list of our optional extras, please see our price list..
Our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan is a great choice for those looking for a simple, low-cost unattended cremation without a funeral ceremony.
With our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan, the cremation takes place with no service or mourners present at our high-quality crematoria where dignified care is guaranteed.
Our Small Attended Cremation Plans offer a private funeral where the number of people attending is limited to a small gathering of friends and family.
With our Small Attended Cremation Plans, you can have up to 8 people attending a 10 minute service or up to 20 people attending a 20 minute service.
All of our cremation plans include the collection of the deceased, a dignified cremation and ashes scattered or hand-delivered back.
Your funeral plan is safe with us.
Distinct Funeral Plans Limited (DFPL) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and we are clear and transparent about both what you pay and what you get with one of our funeral plans.
How we look after your money differs depending on the payment option you choose:
| How you can pay | How your money is looked after |
|---|---|
| Upfront | An independent trust |
| Monthly instalments over 1 year | An independent trust |
| Monthly instalments over 5 years | A whole of life insurance policy |
| Monthly instalments over 10 years | A whole of life insurance policy |
No matter which way you choose to pay, we keep your funeral plan safe. Even if prices rise, your funeral will still go ahead as planned and you won’t be charged any extra.
Your money will be put into a legally separate and independent trust managed by experienced trustees.
Once the money is in the trust, we can’t claim it until after your funeral has been carried out.
Your money is used to purchase a whole of life insurance policy from Scottish Friendly, an authorised and regulated insurer.
The policy will then reimburse Distinct Cremations for carrying out the funeral after it has taken place.
Follow this checklist for added reassurance that your money and your funeral are in safe hands.
Is the company you’re looking at FCA regulated?
All funeral plan companies operating legally should be.
Do they explain on their site how their funeral plans are protected?
This information should be easily accessible and up-to-date.
Are the people you’re buying a plan from the ones carrying out your funeral?
It’s important to some people that it’s the same company for both.
Are you happy with the quality of service and level of support?
Your loved ones may need the same support when redeeming your plan.
Does the fine print make sense?
Read the T&Cs thoroughly and get in touch with the provider if you’re not sure.
Is it clear what you get and what’s not included?
If you want specific services, make sure they’re part of the plan.
Is it clear how much you’ll pay and when?
You should be informed about how much you’ll pay and your different payment options.
Is there someone you trust to redeem your plan?
You'll need a nominated representative to get in touch with the funeral provider when needed.
Is it easy to get in touch with the provider?
Do they respond quickly via your preferred contact method e.g. call or email?
Did you hear about the plan through a cold call or are you being pressured to buy it?
Reputable companies should not be doing this. Just say you need time to think and hang up.
Want more information? We're happy to answer any questions you may have about our plans over the phone, or you can request a free guide for details about what we offer. If you've decided a funeral plan is right for you, you can also view our products and take out a plan online.
Want to talk through our options? If you have questions or would like some in-person support we’re just a call away.
Call us on 01543 211997
Need some time to digest the details? You can download a PDF of our guide online or get a printed copy posted out.
Get our guide
If you’re happy that one of our plans is exactly what you’re looking for, you can get everything set up yourself online.
View our funeral plansWhen researching funeral plans, you may come across the names of various organisations that play their part in providing you with information or protecting your consumer rights.
There are two main regulatory bodies for funeral plans.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Since 29th July 2022, all funeral plans are regulated by the FCA. The FCA makes sure companies are being transparent and not misleading people or pressuring them to buy plans.
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
The CMA makes sure that funeral plan providers are displaying information about their prices clearly and accurately and that companies aren't taking actions that would stop prices from being competitive.
These three resources could also be useful for you to know about.
To make sure the funeral plan provider you’re looking at is authorised and regulated, you can check they’re on the Financial Services Register. The reference number for Distinct Funeral Plans Limited is 965289.
Should the funeral plan company you’re with fail, you should either receive your money back or have your plan transferred to another plan provider. But if this doesn’t happen you can make a compensation claim with the FSCS.
If you have a complaint about your funeral plan provider and you haven’t been able to resolve it with them directly, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Even if a funeral plan is right for you now, you may have concerns about what will happen if your situation changes in the future.
A burial or cremation plan may have a period before cover starts called the moratorium period.
If you were to die before your cover has started, your plan may be refunded or your family may have the option to settle the outstanding balance.
You can check the T&Cs of the plan you're considering taking out for details about when cover starts.
In this case, you have the choice of compensation for the full cost of the plan or to transfer to a like-for-like plan from a new provider.
If a plan holder passes away before an alternative plan has been set up, the FSCS still provides protection of up to £85,000 per person, per company.
You can visit the FSCS website to see their advice if your provider were to fail.
If you’re planning to move to a different area in future, choosing a nationwide funeral plan provider avoids the hassle of changing your plan.
This is also worth bearing in mind if you're setting up a funeral plan for someone else.
If you’re moving abroad, a funeral plan is not likely to be a good option as most plans only cover mainland UK.
For added peace of mind when thinking about keeping your funeral plan safe, you might like to consider protecting your money by paying with a credit card if you have one.
Credit cards protect your purchases over £100 so you can get your money back if there is a problem with what you've bought or the company you've bought from goes bust.
Only you can decide if a funeral plan is worth spending your money on.
A funeral plan could be right for you if:
Important
Once you’ve bought your plan, keep the paperwork safe and tell your immediate family, next of kin or the executor of your estate.
If they don’t know about the plan and don’t use it your money has been wasted.
Depending on your circumstances, there may be other later-life financial planning products or funeral planning products that are of interest to you.
Funeral plans and life insurance differ. Get to know the different costs and eligibility requirements to see which option could suit you.
Funeral plans or life insurance
Over-50s life cover is another option for later-life financial planning. See how it compares to a funeral plan to decide which one fits your needs.
Funeral plans or Over-50s life cover
If you're expecting a death or your loved one is currently receiving end-of-life care, we can also provide you with a caring funeral when needed.
Arrange a funeral from £1,199Below are a selection of reviews from those who have purchased a funeral through Distinct Cremations.
Oak Tree Court, Brookfield Drive, Cannock, WS11 0JN
