24/08/2026
Grab a coffee for this one…
Because I want to talk about something I think people really need to think about before taking out a pre-paid funeral plan.
Pre-paid funeral plans are offered by lots of funeral directors, and for some people they can be the right choice.
But I also think there are some important things people should understand before signing on the dotted line.
A funeral plan is, quite simply, a plan for the future.
And if you’re going to take one out, I think it’s really important to consider how far into the future that funeral might actually be.
If you’re younger and take out a plan that may not be needed for another 20 or 30 years, you’re making a long-term commitment. That may work well for you and give you the peace of mind you’re looking for. But if you’re 70 or 80 and thinking about taking one out, I think it’s worth stopping and asking yourself:
“Do I really benefit financially from purchasing a pre-paid funeral plan at this stage of my life?”
Because you aren’t simply putting today’s funeral price away for when you die.
There are administration costs involved, and depending on the plan, there can be other costs built into what you’re paying for the future provision of that funeral.
This is why I think it’s really important to compare it with the alternative, an at-need funeral.
An at-need funeral is simply where the funeral is arranged when it is actually needed.
You’re paying for the funeral at that point in time, rather than paying in advance for a funeral that may not be needed for years.
There isn’t the same administration involved in holding that future arrangement, and there isn’t the same percentage or future provision cost added to the funeral in the way there can be with a pre-paid plan.
So, particularly if you’re already in your late 70s or 80s, an at-need funeral may actually work out cheaper.
But there are other things I think you need to consider too.
What happens if you change your mind?
When you take out a pre-paid funeral plan, you’re making arrangements for your future funeral.
That often means making those arrangements with a particular funeral director.
Right now, you might be completely happy with that decision.
But life changes.
You might move away.
Your family might move.
Your circumstances might change.
Or, when the time comes, your family might simply decide they would prefer to use another funeral director.
If that happens, there can be cancellation charges attached to the plan.
So you need to understand exactly what happens to the money you’ve paid if the plan is cancelled.
It’s something I would always ask before signing anything.
And then there’s burial…
This is another one that I think people don’t always consider when they take out a funeral plan.
Let’s say you live in a particular parish today and you’re planning to be buried there.
But several years down the line you move.
Perhaps you move to be closer to your children, move into a care home, retire somewhere else or simply decide that you want to be buried somewhere different.
Burial fees can be very different depending on where you live and whether you qualify for the local resident rate.
If you have moved out of the parish, you could potentially be charged a non-resident fee, and in some places this can be two or even three times the resident fee.
That’s a significant difference.
And it’s another cost that you need to understand because your circumstances today might not be the same when your funeral is actually needed.
So what should you ask?
Don’t just ask:
“How much is the funeral plan?”
Ask:
What exactly is included?
What isn’t included?
What happens if I move?
What happens if I change my funeral wishes?
What happens if my family choose another funeral director?
Is there a cancellation fee?
What happens if I want to be buried somewhere different?
What happens if I move out of the parish?
What costs could my family still have to pay?
And most importantly…
Compare the cost of the plan with what the funeral would cost if you simply arranged it when the time comes.
I’m not saying pre-paid funeral plans are wrong.
For some people, particularly if they’re younger and looking at it as a long-term arrangement, they can provide exactly the peace of mind they’re looking for.
But I don’t think everyone should automatically assume that taking out a pre-paid funeral plan is the cheapest option.
Especially if you’re already 70 or 80.
At that stage of life, I’d really encourage you to look at the figures carefully and compare the two options.
Because sometimes an at-need funeral can actually be the more cost-effective option.
At Vail Funeral Services, we don’t offer pre-paid funeral plans.
That’s a conscious decision.
I’d rather sit down with you, explain what your funeral could cost, talk through the different options and let you make an informed decision about what’s right for you and your family.
No pressure.
No sales pitch.
Just honest advice.
Because planning for your funeral should be about making the right decision for you.
And if you’re thinking about taking out a pre-paid funeral plan, my biggest piece of advice is simple:
Take your time.
Read the small print.
Ask questions.
And don’t be afraid to compare it with simply arranging your funeral when the time comes.
Right, coffee finished?
Now go and check that small print.
If you need support, we're just a phone call away day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on
01353 363614
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road Witchford, Ely CB6 2HX
Tel: 01353 363614
Mob: 07709839021
