Compare the best funeral plans

Find out if cheap funeral plans are worth it
See which companies the FCA intend to authorise
Compare the cheapest plan prices
Check independent customer reviews

Prepaid funeral plans can vary both in cost and the funeral services provided. Taking time to compare funeral plans could help you choose the best plan for you.

How to compare funeral plans

The cheapest funeral plans may not necessarily offer the best value for money if the funeral services included do not suit your needs. To find the best plan it could help to compare funeral plans, so you can be aware of the price, how the funeral plan works and what is and isn’t included.

Our funeral plan comparisons will help you understand which companies the FCA intend to authorise, (on the 29th July 2022) the starting price of their funeral plans, the options available and how customer’s rate their services. Plus,funeral plan reviews provide more information on the plan providers themselves.

What are the best funeral plans?

Finding the best funeral plan will depend on your budget and the type of service you are looking for. Our ‘Top Tips’ lists are designed to help you review and consider which funeral plan could be the best option for you, focusing on regulation and security, starting price, choice and customer reviews.

Plan providers also have their own ‘key features’ that fully explain how each of their plan’s work. Something you may wish to review and compare before making your final decision.

Top Tips 1 – The funeral plan providers the FCA intend to authorise

The following companies provide a nationwide service and are on the FCA’s intended to authorise list. As regulated companies, these funeral plan providers have to prove they comply with the FCA's rules on how your money is held securely and the service you receive.

Funeral plan provider	FCA Regulated	National or Regional
Avalon Funeral Plans		National
Celebration of Life		National
Coop Funeral Plans		National
Crystal Cremations		National
Dignity Funerals		National
Distinct Cremations		National
Ecclesiastical Planning Services		National
Golden Charter Funeral Plans		National
Golden Leaves Funeral Plans		National
Memoria (Affordable Funerals)		National
Open Prepaid Funerals		National
Plan with Grace		National
Pure Cremation		National
Choice (Funeral Partners)		Regional
Central England Co-op		Regional
F A Albin & Sons		Regional
Family Funerals Trust		Regional
Freeman Brothers		Regional
Haven Personal Funeral Plans		Regional
Independent Funeral Plans		Regional
Peace Funerals		Regional
Southern Co-op		Regional
Fosters Funeral Directors		Regional
William Alty Funeral Services		Regional

Top Tips 2 – The cheapest funeral plans

The list of cheapest funeral plans looks at the price range offered by each plan provider and the number of plans on offer. Although price is important, it’s also worth considering the services included in the plan, to be sure they suit your needs.

Funeral plan provider	Number of plans	Starting price	Most expensive
Avalon	4	£2,795	£4,245
Coop	4	£3,225	£4,460
Crystal Cremations	2	£2,925	£3,245
Dignity	4	£3,095	£4,195
Ecclesiastical	NA	NA	NA
Golden Charter	4	£2,895	£4,099
Golden Leaves	5	£2,533	£4,199
Memoria	3	£2,349	£3,199
Prices shown range from basic to premium plans (direct cremation plans not included). This is an indication of the cheapest and most expensive plans each company offers, not a like for like comparison. For more information, see providers website.

Top Tips 3 – What customers think of the service they offer

Our final funeral plan top tips looks at how customers rate each of the national companies on independent UK review sites Feefo and Trustpilot.

Funeral plan provider	Feefo or Trustpilot rating
Avalon	4.9
Coop	3.3
Crystal Cremations	NA
Dignity	4.7
Ecclesiastical	NA
Golden Charter	4.6
Golden Leaves	4.7
Memoria	4.8

You can also compare funeral plan Defaqto ratings. Defaqto is the independent researcher of financial products in the UK.

Compare funeral plans

As a result of FCA regulation the number of funeral plan comparison websites is likley to reduce. Regadless of whether you use a comparison website or make your own comparisons, comparing funeral plans on a like for like basis and checking the provider is on the FCA's list of companies it intends to approve, could help you choose the best plan for you.

Remember, not all plans are the same.

Life insurance with funeral cover - another option

Over 50 life insurance can provide a more basic alternative to a funeral plan, particularly if budget is an issue. This simple whole of life insurance enables you to leave some money behind for loved ones to put towards your funeral costs if they choose to. Designed specifically for those aged 50 or over, you’re guaranteed to be accepted with no need for a medical, and premiums start from a few pounds a month.

If you want to be sure your over 50 plan will help with funeral costs, many over 50 life insurance plans offer a funeral benefit option. By choosing this you agree to have your cash sum paid directly to a reputable funeral director, who will deduct it from the final bill for their services.

Taking up this option doesn’t cost you a penny more and as a thank you, the funeral director will usually contribute around £250 towards the final funeral bill.