Funeral Plans

If it were just up to me I would have a direct cremation, cheap simple
Judy; my thoughts exactly! But you've triggered off a thought thread. Talking to a lawn bowls colleague the other day, like me, non-playing, a widower and somehow we got on to the subject of cremations, ashes and what next when the funeral director returns the urn. We read of many families keeping them for ages in urns or even boxes around the house on shelves, in cupboards etc. Like me he's had them for a couple years, but his idea is for when his time is up to have his family combine their ashes and dispose of them as agreed prior.
I think that's a lovely thought.
Contrary to those terrible words "till death us do part" the family can say that death didn't part them.
I like the idea and I'll put the family on notice!

You can deduct the cost of the funeral from the amount assessed for IHT, so it is not always advantageous to purchase in advance if the estate might breach the IHT limit.

From HMRC website:

"You can deduct funeral expenses from the value of the estate, plus a reasonable amount for mourning expenses. Expenses can include a reasonable amount to cover the cost of:

* flowers
* refreshments for mourners
* necessary expenses paid by the executor or administrator when arranging the funeral
* a headstone to mark the grave

Thanks to the head's up from this thread, this morning my DD1, who is an Independent Celebrant, took me to her favourite Funeral Director to arrange and pay in advance for funerals for both OH and myself. We have ordered the exact funerals/coffins/celebrant, announcements as required, including £1000 for each of us, to be paid direct to DD as next of kin, to cover the cost of incidentals, flowers, a meal afterwards. etc. if required. I happily wrote and signed a cheque for just over £10,000. Happily? Yes because not only is that something less to worry about but also because that brings our savings down nearer the threshold which currently makes us self funding for care costs. Funeral director was lovely and the whole experience felt positive, with me in control of the process - a rarity on this dementia journey. DH was at day care today and knows nothing of the arrangements made but we were careful to follow, exactly, his wishes as stated before he became ill.

Hey, Hattiehelga I admire your efforts for planning your funeral. As you have mentioned, you have come up with numerous companies. Do not worry, first of all, for such funeral homes understand your situations. They can offer you with every possible funeral service such as cremation or burial with different packages. Also, look for such professionals that can work around your requirements and budget. You should check as well if they offer cremation services at a place you pick, or if they can come to your home if needed. I wish you luck for the search.

There was a program a few weeks ago about funeral plans..it seems as its been mention in op that it does not cover everything and some of the money goes to the people who provide the plan (they don't forward it all to the funeral people) obviously these plans don't come without interest being added somewhere along the line.

The program said that anything from around £400 upwards could be kept by the plan people.Cant just rem the exact quotes.

The end result was that the plans don't always cover everything and you can be left with a shortfall which you have to make up.

I'm relying on my ISA. Hopefully !

I certainly have been to some lovely funerals and some not so great - My Uncle died last year and they were absolutely lovely, so I would approach one that you know gives a good service however, that was up North and as I am likely to go down South, there is a wonderful Humanist lady here that does just the best celebrations of life that I have ever seen - so have specified her in my preferred plans for care etc ....

My body will go to medical science when the time comes.
The family can have the body back after 3 yrs if they want to have a burial/cremation.
I think I know what the family will say: nah, let's save the money

The last funeral I attended in June was remarkable in every way and every part of it reflected the life of the deceased even to the huge " spread " afterwards. As funerals go this was an amazing " send-off ". The family are some of my closest lifelong friends.

So different to that of a retired Army Major I knew where the union jack had been draped over the coffin. Very staid and solemn.

It does all depend what a persons wishes are/were and what the family decide for them which also dictates the cost too.

A funeral director's job isn't a dying trade is it ?

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We have an endowment policy which will pay out enough on the first death to tidy us both away. You pay £50 a month for 10 years and it pays out a minimum of £10k. Once paid up it sits accruing interest until the first death. Thanksgiving service is organised and family are aware so there is no need to think any further.

OTH a cousin has a prepaid plan into which she pays £35 per month until the day she dies. She has paid it for over 10 years so far and is very fit and healthy so will obviously pay lots more over the next few years. She is happy that it is sorted so clearly you pays your money and takes your choice.
It is entirely up to you!