Arranging & Paying For a Funeral in Advance

“Why should we think about paying for a funeral in advance?”

The advantage of a prepayment plan over a savings account or life insurance policy is that you can pay now, at today’s price, and beat inflation - no matter when the service might be required. Our fees will be paid by Funeral Planning Trust when the funeral has been provided.
Our funeral prepayment plans are provided by Funeral Planning Services in association with a network of independent, family-owned Funeral Directors like Cloverfield Funeral Services throughout the UK. Funeral prepayments are held in Funeral Planning Trust for security and monitored by the Funeral Planning Authority.

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The advantages of a Prepayment Plan

A prepayment plan has the following benefits:

  • You can choose your own funeral arrangements, for your own peace of mind.
  • You will save your family from having to make difficult decisions and trying to anticipate your wishes at such a distressing time.
  • Avoid rising funeral costs with an in inflation-proof guarantee of the Funeral Director’s charges.
  • Financial security - the funeral payment is held in Funeral Planning Trust until it is needed.
  • The service will be provided by Cloverfield Funeral Directors.
  • There is no age limit and no awkward health questions.
  • Payment plans to suit you - you can make a one-time payment or pay by monthly instalments.
  • All enquiries and arrangements are treated in the strictest confidence.
  • The plan complies with the Funeral Planning Authority Code of Practice and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
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Questions & Answers

Here are some of the questions you might want to ask, but please call or contact us if there is anything else you would like to know about the plan.

Is There an Age Limit or Health Restrictions?

No, you can purchase a plan at any age and in any state of health, but please see the note on instalments below.

Can I Pay by Instalments?

Yes, there is a range of options available. Please ask for details. Payment by instalments usually costs more than a single payment owing to the extra administration involved, and if you die before completing all of the instalments, the funeral will only be partially paid.

Can I Buy a Plan for Someone Else?

Yes, please mention this on your application. We will need the name, address and date of birth of the person to be covered but we will send all correspondence to you.

What if Funeral Costs Increase?

Funerals, like everything else, are affected by inflation and the cost of a funeral would almost certainly increase before you need one. However, with the prepayment plan, the funeral price specified is fixed and will be provided for you without any further charge to you or your family. However, please refer to the note on “disbursements” below. This is one of the most important benefits of prepayment and why it has become so popular with our clients in recent years.

Does the Plan Include Disbursements?

Each plan usually includes a contribution towards other expenses, such as crematorium or cemetery fees, doctor's fee for a cremation certificate and minister’s or church fees. These fees are known as “disbursements”. The plan is intended to cover most of the usual disbursements, but please note that these are outside of our control and costs cannot be guaranteed. The amount included for disbursements will be stated on your funeral plan certificate and will be increased annually in line with the Retail Price Index. You can include a larger or smaller contribution towards disbursements if you wish. Please ask us if you need further advice on this.

What if I Move Home?

If you move, the Funeral Planning Services can transfer your plan from Cloverfield to another Funeral Director in that area. Funeral costs can vary from one area to another and you will be advised of any difference in costs at the time.

What if I Die Away From Home?

We recommend that you take out travel insurance when you go on holiday, especially if you travel abroad. This usually covers your conveyance back home if necessary. Alternatively, we can quote for the extra cost involved.

What if I Change my Mind Later?

If you change your mind within the first month of receiving your plan documents you can return them for a full refund, with no questions asked. If you cancel your plan beyond this time, your refund will be subject to an administration charge. Please contact us for more information on these administrative charges.

Do You Pay Out Interest?

No. A guaranteed funeral plan is not a savings account. It is a simple way of paying in advance for the funeral service. As the value of the Funeral Planning Trust increases over the years, so the money available to pay the Funeral Director will increase to compensate for rising costs.

How do I Know the Money Will be Safe?

All payments are made directly into Funeral Planning Trust, not to us. The Funeral Planning Trust was established in 1995 for the secure deposit of funeral prepayments. The accounts of Funeral Planning Trust are monitored annually by independent actuaries and checked by independent auditors. The funds for the funeral can only be withdrawn from Funeral Planning Trust when the service has been provided or if the plan is cancelled.

“Choosing a plan is easy...
and it only takes a few minutes to set up”

How Do I purchase a Plan?

  • 1.
    Discuss your wishes with your Funeral Director, who will calculate the plan price.
  • 2.
    Choose whether to make a single payment or, if you prefer to pay by instalments, decide over what period (up to five years).
  • 3.
    Do you have any questions? If so please contact us on 01274 225335, or if you prefer to contact Funeral Planning Services direct, call 0800 413046.
  • 4.
    Return your completed application form (available to download below) to us at Cloverfield Funeral Services, or send it directly to Funeral Planning Services, together with a cheque for either the full amount or the first instalment. (You will receive a banker’s order form to cover the remaining payments). Please make your cheque payable to FUNERAL PLANNING TRUST so that your payment goes directly into the trust fund. Please do not send cash in the post.
Download Our Application Form

“Everything is designed to make things as easy as possible for your family and friends”

Your Funeral Plan Guarantee

Within 28 days, Funeral Planning Services will send you a Funeral Plan Guarantee Certificate confirming your plan details. For instalment plan customers, your payment plan will be confirmed and the Guarantee Certificate will be issued when the final payment is received.

The plan comes complete with practical information for your relatives or executor on what they should do at the time of the funeral, your personal wishes for the funeral and where your important documents are kept. Everything is designed to make things as easy as possible for your family and friends.

Funeral Plans - A Code of Practice

  • Fair terms and conditions for the customer.
  • Security of funds - with strict controls over the custodianship and regular monitoring by independent experts.
  • A procedure for independent arbitration of complaints.

A full copy of the Code of Practice can be downloaded here.


A Selection of Funeral Prepayment Plans

The Standard Plan

£2,545.00

The most popular option, including:

  • Removal of the body to our premises, at any time of day or night, from anywhere in the local area.
  • Guidance to relatives or executors on the registration of the death and other matters relevant to the funeral.
  • Taking care of the body until the funeral.
  • Provision of facilities for viewing by the family at the Funeral Director’s premises, including preparation and dressing in a suitable gown or clothes if provided by the family.
  • Supply of a coffin with wood-effect finish and simulated brass handles, engraved nameplate and interior lining.
  • All arrangements made for the funeral and provision of the Funeral Director, drivers and bearers for the funeral service.
  • Supply of a hearse and one limousine. The cortège can leave from a local address, proceed to a local place of worship if required, then on to the local crematorium or place of burial.
  • Receiving flowers for the funeral, or charitable donations in lieu of flowers, and provision of a list of donors to relatives or executors.

A Personal Plan

A funeral is very personal and many people have specific wishes. If none of these plans suit your requirements, then please contact us and we will prepare a personalised plan just for you.

The Traditional Plan

£3,050.00

This provides an enhanced service, with the following additions to the Standard Plan:

  • Supply of a top quality coffin, finished in wood veneer, with double-raised lid and routed panelled sides, fully furnished, with quality interior gown set and fittings.
  • Supply of two limousines instead of one.

The Simple Plan

£2,025.00

Similar to the Standard Plan but with the following variations:

  • Removal of the body during office hours only.
  • Facilities and preparation for viewing are not included.
  • Supply of a basic coffin.
  • No limousine included.
  • No procession included - usually the hearse will meet the family at the local crematorium or place of burial.
  • This plan does not include attending the service in a place of worship as well as the crematorium.
  • Listing of flowers or charitable donations is not included.

Disbursments

A contribution of £1,050 towards other expenses such as crematorium or cemetery fees, doctor's fee for cremation certificate and minister’s or church fees - these are known as “disbursements” and are included in each plan. This is intended to cover most, if not all, of the usual disbursements, but please note that these are outside of our control and cannot be guaranteed. The amount included for disbursements will be stated on your funeral plan certificate and will be increased annually in line with the Retail Price Index. You can include a larger or smaller contribution towards disbursements if you wish.

Prices valid until 31st March 2016.
For payment by instalments, please see below.
Prices quoted include £175 administration costs.

Supplies of materials occasionally vary. If any of those specified are not available when required, similar materials of an equal value will be used.

Paying for your plan by monthly instalments

Reduced plan prices, with no contribution to disbursements included*

  1 Year Option
(12 Payments)
2 Year Option
(24 Payments)
3 Year Option
(36 Payments)
4 Year Option
(48 Payments)
5 Year Option
(60 Payments)
Plan Type Our Current
Plan Price
Monthly
Payment
Total
Price
Monthly
Payment
Total
Price
Monthly
Payment
Total
Price
Monthly
Payment
Total
Price
Monthly
Payment
Total
Price
Standard £2,545.00 £212.08 £2,545.00 £114.53 £2,748.60 £79.18 £2,850.40 £61.50 £2,952.20 £50.90 £3,054.00
Traditional £3,050.00 £254.17 £3,050.00 £137.25 £3,294.00 £94.89 £3,416.00 £73.71 £3,538.00 £61.00 £3,660.00
Simple £2,025.00 £168.75 £2,025.00 £91.13 £2,187.00 £63.00 £2,268.00 £48.94 £2,349.00 £40.50 £2,430.00

Prices valid until 31st March 2016.

First payment by cheque with application, the remainder by bank standing order. You can clear the outstanding balance at any time and then the total price may be reduced.
* Once the plan is paid in full, you can continue to pay monthly towards disbursements if you wish. Instalment amounts are calculated to the nearest penny. Total prices quoted may vary slightly.