Discover what funeral plans are, how funeral plans work and the features and benefits they offer to decide whether a plan is something you would like to have.

What is a funeral plan?

A funeral plan lets you arrange and pay for your funeral, or somebody else’s funeral, in advance.

Planning a funeral ahead of time means you can choose the type of funeral you would like to have, your preferred funeral plan provider and the payment schedule that would best suit you.

Funeral plans can be paid for either upfront in a single payment or in monthly instalments over a set period of time.

How do funeral plans work?

The first steps of setting up a funeral plan are decided by you.

  1. You choose what type of funeral you would like.
    Would you like a burial or cremation? Would you like the funeral to be elaborate or simple?
  2. You select any additional services
    All funeral plans should cover the burial or cremation services but extras like environmentally friendly options or a longer funeral length may come with additional costs.
  3. You pick a funeral provider.
    Make sure the provider is regulated and authorised to sell funeral plans and consider whether they specialise in the kind of funeral you want.
  4. You decide how to pay.
    When you’ve found a funeral plan you have the choice of paying for it in a single payment or monthly instalments.

Woman Reviewing Funeral Plans

Once you’ve set up your funeral plan, your chosen provider has the following obligations.

  • Your money is kept safe.
    Funeral plan providers have to follow rules to keep your funeral plan safe.
  • Your funeral is carried out.
    At the point of death, your funeral will take place according to your wishes and as agreed in your plan.

Benefits of buying a funeral plan

These are some of the reasons why people choose to set up funeral plans.

Clarify your funeral wishes

Couple reviewing finances for funeral plans

What you want to happen at your funeral will be clear and your funeral will be carried out according to your wishes.

Pay in a more convenient way

Woman working out expenses using a calculator, pen and paper with glasses

Monthly payment options offer an affordable way to pay if paying upfront isn’t possible or isn't your preference.

Spend less money on a funeral

couple holding hands at a funeral dressed in black

Once you have the plan set up, the price is locked in and you are protected from any future price rises in funeral costs.

Support your loved ones financially

Woman speaks to daughter about funeral wishes I

A funeral plan removes the financial burden on your family and avoids them not being able to afford the funeral you want.

Save your loved ones stress

Wooden coffin with a bouquet of funeral flowers laid on top

Planning ahead means your loved ones won't have the emotional strain of organising a funeral while they are mourning.

Save based on where you live

Funeral garden distinct cremations

If you live in an expensive area, a nationwide plan could offer a cheaper funeral than it would cost to arrange one locally.

Always check the suitability of any plan

Once you've chosen a plan you may not be able to change the type of funeral you have. Be sure of your preferences at the point you set one up and make sure everything you want is included so carrying out your wishes is possible.

UK funeral plans are most likely not suitable if you’re planning to move abroad as they won’t cover repatriation or carrying out your funeral in a different country.

Our plans

At Distinct Cremations, our funeral plans offer either attended or unattended funerals.

See more information about our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan or our Small Attended Cremation Plans below or alternatively you can view our Simple Funeral Plan offering a full length celebrant-led cremation funeral.

For additional pricing information and a full list of our optional extras, please see our price list.

Unattended Direct Cremation Plan

From £1,699 or £19.44* per month

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.

View our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan * Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £2,332.80 and includes administration fees.

Small Attended Cremation Plans

From £2,099 or £25.23** per month

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 and a 20 minute service.

View our Small Attended Cremation Plans ** Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £3,027.60 and includes administration fees.

How do you pay for a plan?

Man Researching Funeral Plans

Funeral plans are a popular option for paying for a funeral in advance.

37% of people who decide to set the money aside to pay for their own funeral do so by taking out a funeral plan.+

The different ways to pay for a funeral plan are one of the benefits that make them a popular choice.

Our funeral plans give the option to pay in a single payment or over 1, 5 or 10 years.

+ In 2023, 37% of people who made provisions to pay for their own funeral took out a funeral plan. (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

Important

Don’t take out a plan if you think you won’t be able to afford the monthly payments. If you miss too many payments your plan will be cancelled and you could lose your money.

Get in touch

Interested in our low cost cremation plans?

We're happy to answer any questions you may have about our funeral 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.

Have a chat with us

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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 212997

Get a free guide

Sue bench

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

Set up a plan online

Woman Buying Funeral Plan On Computer

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 plans

Sharing your wishes

When you set up a funeral plan, share the details of it with your partner, children, friends or anyone else who is your next of kin or the executor of your estate. If no one knows about your plan, it won't be used which would be a waste of your money.

You can follow these steps to ensure your funeral goes ahead according to your plan and you're aware of your loved ones' plans too.

  • Give your funeral provider the details of the person who will be speaking to them to set your funeral arrangements in motion.
  • Communicate your wishes and the details of your plan with your loved ones.
  • Keep your funeral documents somewhere safe and easy to find.
  • Speak to relatives and friends to establish whether or not they've taken out any funeral plans themselves.

Purple Flowers In Field

Setting up a funeral plan for someone else

Funeral plans can also be bought for other people for example your parent or your spouse.

Want to set up a plan for someone else?

If your loved one needs care, arranging funeral cover for them gives you peace of mind that they will be looked after by the plan provider you’ve chosen should they die while you are away or otherwise unavailable.

They don't need to know that you've taken out a funeral plan for them if you think talking about their death would upset them. But you will need financial power of attorney if you want to pay for someone else's plan with their money.

How to get a funeral plan for someone else

Other useful resources

The next step in choosing a funeral plan is deciding on a funeral type. Or if you already know you want a simple cremation funeral, you can go ahead and set up a plan with us.

Choose a funeral plan

Couple reviewing funeral plan options

Now you know what a funeral plan is in more detail, find out some steps you can take to find the right funeral plan product for you.

How to choose a funeral plan

Cremation or burial

Wooden coffin with a bouquet of funeral flowers laid on top

Still undecided about which type of funeral you would like? See the ways cremation and burial funerals differ to help you make up your mind.

Find out about cremation and burial

Set up a funeral plan

Sue Arrange

Like the look of our plans? You can set up our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan or Intimate Cremation Plan either over the phone or online.

View our funeral plans

We offer the highest level of support, but don't take our word for it

Below are a selection of reviews from those who have purchased a funeral through Distinct Cremations.

This is a good company, the cremation was dealt with very smoothly without any problems. The staff were very courteous and professional throughout. Everything was explained over the phone and they were very patient answering my questions. The ashes were delivered on time to my door. Highly recommended.
They gave a superb service, they were very professional from start to finish, but also friendly and empathetic too, at what was a very difficult time for myself and the family
Dee was lovely and understanding and advice was easy to understand
Very kind and helpful lady. She talked me through everything that I asked her about.
From the very first phone call I felt things were going to be handled well. Kindness compassion and helpful ness were shown throughout. I was kept informed about all the details and the person delivering the ashes was so respectful and kind taking the time to ask about my husbands life. This is who will handle my cremation.
Received excellent service from Distinct Cremations. The passing of my stepfather was very distressing and emotional time for my family. David at DC kept us up to date with the arrangements, and talked us through each step of the plan, and kept the admin to a minimum. The cost of the Direct cremation was as advertised, which I found to be good value. Thank you everyone at DC.
Excellent service. Professional but still friendly considering the subject being discussed can be awkward for some people.
Great service, easy to arrange. Very friendly people
5.0
707 reviews
Feefo Gold 2024
Feefo Gold 2024
5.0
707 reviews

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