What is a Funeral Plan?

A funeral plan is an easy way to pre-arrange the funeral you want and pay for the funeral director’s services covered by the plan in advance. A plan can help to save your family worry and expense, and help make things easier for your loved ones at what is often a difficult time. As our customers often tell us, that can be a big weight off your mind.

It’s a straightforward way to do something amazing for your family. Few people like to talk about their funeral, and an Independent Way Funeral Plan can make things easier for everyone – so that when the time comes, we will then carry out your plan according to your wishes, relieving your family of the stress and financial worry they may otherwise have to face.

Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure all our plans are as flexible as possible. When you get in touch, we will be happy to discuss your funeral requirements and tailor a plan to suit you. Rest assured, our plans are available to everyone, regardless of age or state of health.

Why Planning Ahead Makes Great Financial Sense

You might be surprised to hear that, while the average cost of a funeral in 2010 was £2,713, by 2020 it was £4,115. That’s an increase of 52% in 10 years – well above the general rate of inflation.

Sources: SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2021.

Planning Ahead With The Independent Way Funeral Plan

While some people don’t want to think about arranging their own funeral, which is only natural. However, you can help to gain the peace of mind that you have put your affairs in order and organised the funeral you would like.

A Plan That's Tailored To Your Needs

As an independent funeral director, we’ll take the time to understand your wishes and tailor a plan to suit you. We will gladly meet you at our premises or in your home at a time that suits you, when it is safe to do so. You can tell us about any preferences you have in mind – the type of funeral you would like to have, hymns, music or any other personal touches – and we’ll make sure your plan takes these into account.

What Funeral Costs Do I Need To Cover?

As well as the funeral director’s services, which are guaranteed to be covered as set out in your plan, there are other costs you need to consider:

Funeral director services:

These costs are guaranteed to be covered by your Independent Way Funeral Plan. They typically include:

Professional services and making arrangements for cremation or burial
Transportation of the deceased from place of death to the funeral director’s premises, chapel of rest or other suitable location.
Care of the deceased and preparations for family viewing if requested
Advice on the certification and registration of death and related documentation
Provision of funeral vehicles
Advice on bereavement counselling
Coffin or casket requested

Third party costs:

These costs are beyond the control of the funeral director and need to be paid to the relevant third parties, at the time of the funeral. A Golden Charter funeral plan will include a contribution towards these third party costs. They may include:

Crematorium fee
Minister or officiant’s fee
Purchase of grave or lair
Cemetery fee: the opening of a new or existing grave for burial or interment of cremated remains
Hire of church or other venue
Fees of organist or soloist
Memorial, such as a headstone, entry in a book of remembrance, or the planting of a tree
Catering, floral tributes and newspaper announcements

Choose How You Would Like To Pay

Spread the cost or make a one off payment. Golden Charter funeral plans offer a number of ways to pay for your funeral plan – simply choose the one that’s right for you.

Single payment option

You can make a one-off single payment for immediate cover.

12 monthly payment option

If you would prefer to spread the cost, you can pay over 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit at no extra charge.

Low cost instalment option

If you would like to spread the cost over a longer period for a lower monthly payment, the low cost instalment option offers terms of between two and 30 years payable by Direct Debit.

Fixed monthly payment option

Golden Charter also offer a fixed monthly payment option where you pay a fixed monthly amount by Direct Debit, based on your age at time of application and choice of funeral plan, which is payable for life or until the age of 90.

*As well as covering the delivery of your funeral as per the terms and conditions of your plan, your plan price includes a one off £249 administration fee which Golden Charter receives to cover the cost of setting up, managing and administering your funeral plan.*

Your payments are safe and secure in the Golden Charter Trust

With a Golden Charter funeral plan your payments are protected.
Your money is paid into the Golden Charter Trust* which is run by a Board of Trustees, completely independent of Golden Charter.
The Trustees are chosen for their skills and experience, and safeguard the payments made by our customers.
They make sure all future funerals can be paid for, which means we can guarantee the funeral director’s services included in your plan will be delivered at the time they are required.

To find out more about the Trust and how it protects customers’ funds, visit goldenchartertrust.co.uk

* This excludes the fixed monthly payment option where money is paid to a UK life assurance company and managed by them.

Ready To Take The Next Step? Get In Touch Today

As well as the comfort of having a plan in place, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with being able to help save your family from worry and expense in the future. So why not take the next step?

Remember, Independent Way plans are available to everyone, not just those aged over 50, and there are no medical or health questions to answer when you apply.

Looking After You As A Customer

As an Independent Way plan holder, you’ll receive personalised plan documents, which include a summary of your plan, your funeral director’s details, your plan holder certificate and a personal membership card for you to carry in your purse or wallet.

Your funeral director will hold full details of your funeral plan. When the time comes, one phone call is all it takes to activate your plan and get the arrangements underway.

We provide a 24 Hour Service. You may call us anytime: