FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most popular questions about pre-paid funeral plans. If you have any other questions that you need answering, please email or telephone us.
- Is the money for my funeral safe - what if we or Funeral Planning Services Ltd goes out of business?
- What if I move home?
- What are the advantages of paying for my funeral now? Why not put the money into a savings account?
- What happens if the designated funeral director ceases to trade?
- Are there any age or health limitations?
- What if I want to take out a plan for someone else?
- What about insurance based funeral plans?
- If I buy a funeral plan by instalments, what happens if I die before I finish paying?
- What if I die away from home?
- What if I want to cancel my plan?
- Does the plan include burial?
- Can a 'Green' funeral be arranged?
- What if I change my mind about the arrangements?
- Will I have to see a consultant?
- Does the plan include VAT?
1. Is the money for my funeral safe - what if we or Funeral Planning Services Ltd goes out of business?
While this is considered unlikely, monies paid by you for your funeral plan will be received in accordance with the code of conduct of the National Association of Pre-paid Funeral Plans (NAPFP) and will be fully protected. Independent actuaries and accountants audit the Trust on a regular basis. A copy of their report is available upon request.
The money is held by HSBC Trust Company (UK) Ltd as a Custodian Trustee for the Funeral Planning Trust. This is an independent fund established to pay for clients' funerals when required. In the unlikely event of either Silver Birch Solutions or Funeral Planning Services Ltd ceasing to exist, the funeral would still be carried out according to your guaranteed funeral plan and the funeral director would be paid from the trust fund. The Trust fund is a separate legal entity from us.
2. What if I move home?
Your guarantee is simply relocated to another funeral director convenient to your new home. If you decide to live abroad, you may apply for a refund. If you move home, please notify us as soon as possible so we can ensure all records are up to date.
3. What are the advantages of paying for my funeral now? Why not put the money into a savings account?
Once you have paid for a pre-paid funeral plan, you will never have to pay any more for the funeral director's costs no matter how much these costs may rise in the future. No savings account can provide such a guarantee. In recent years funeral expenses have increased in excess of inflation. So why not secure your funeral requirements at today's price and then use the remainder of your savings just how you want!
Funerals are a very sensitive and personal matter - so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at all, and we will do all we can to assist.
4. What happens if the designated funeral director ceases to trade?
Funeral Planning Services Ltd will make the same arrangements with another local funeral director.
5. Are there any age or health limitations?
No. And no. Simple as that.6. What if I want to take out a plan for someone else?
No problem, as long as the plan is suitable and required by that person.
7. What about insurance based funeral plans?
They have several disadvantages. Principally they don't guarantee to cover funeral costs or allow you to specify the arrangements. Even if you are in reasonable health, you may well end up paying much more in premiums than the insurance company will ever pay out and the funeral would need to be paid for, often well before the insurance paid out.
8. If I buy a funeral plan by instalments, what happens if I die before I finish paying?
Most importantly, your funeral will be carried out. Payments you have made less an administration cost will be paid to the funeral director on your behalf or refunded to your estate. The balance would be paid by your family or from your estate. Please refer to the Terms of Sale.
9. What if I die away from home?
Each plan includes collection from within a specified distance. If you are travelling away from your local area additional costs may be incurred. If you travel abroad we recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover all eventualities.
10. What if I want to cancel my plan?
You can cancel your plan in accordance with the Terms of Sale. A full refund of payment will be made where cancellation is made within one month.
11. Does the plan include burial?
Nowadays, most people are cremated. Accordingly the cost of a burial plot is not included. However, should you wish to be buried we will be pleased to discuss this with you, with a view to you purchasing a plot at a cemetery of your choice. The cost and availability of a plot varies considerably throughout the country. If you already have a burial plot please provide us with the information.
12. Can a 'Green' funeral be arranged?
We will be pleased to discuss this with you. Requirements can range from having a biodegradable coffin at a conventional funeral, to a woodland burial, with possibly a tree or shrub being planted on your behalf. We will be pleased to advise you both in respect of the costs involved and the necessary steps to be taken.
13. What if I change my mind about the arrangements?
No problem. Your wishes are what count most. Simply speak to Funeral Planning Services Ltd. For example you may wish to pay for a simple funeral to begin with and change it later to a more elaborate one. The choice is yours.
14. Will I have to see a consultant?
No. Plans can be purchased online and by by post. Please forward your completed application form to 326 College Street, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 4GT
15. Does the plan include VAT?
Currently funerals are not subject to VAT so you do not have to pay VAT on your plan. However, if a future government does introduce VAT on funerals; Funeral Planning Services will advise you of the options.