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When funeral planning in advance, one of the options available is a funeral plan.

To make immediate funeral arrangements for someone who has died, see our guidance on arranging a funeral or give our compassionate team a call.

Thinking about funeral planning for ourselves or someone we love can be hard. In 2023, just 1% of people knew all of their loved one’s funeral wishes.+ But knowing what the people you care about want to happen at their funeral is the only way to fully honour their wishes.

As well as talking with those close to you about your wishes and theirs, you can also look into how funeral plans can secure your future arrangements.

Don’t worry if you do find you’re in the dark about what your loved one wanted. There are simple and affordable funeral options available, like cremation only funerals, that allow you more time to plan a personal memorial.

+ 1% of people knew all their loved one’s funeral wishes in 2023 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

How to pre-plan a funeral

Funeral planning for the future is easier when you have clarity about what will happen. Funeral plans let you get organised and arrange a funeral in advance. You can decide exactly what type of funeral you want and pay for it ahead of time too.

Find out more about funeral plans below to see if taking out a plan is the right choice for you.

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Why plan a funeral in advance?

Though it might seem daunting, taking the steps to plan a funeral in advance has several advantages.

Older Lady Filling Out Funeral Plan Form

Planning for yourself

If you choose to plan a funeral for yourself, it takes the stress away from your family as they know ahead of time exactly what you want to happen. Paying in advance takes away any financial burden too.

View our funeral plans

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Planning for someone else

Making plans for a loved one’s funeral in advance also brings peace of mind as you can be reassured they will be cared for in the way you would want them to be when the time comes.

Setting up a plan for a loved one

Get in touch with us today

If you'd like to chat with someone to explain the details about our plans at any point or you have specific questions you'd like to ask about our services, please do get in touch. We're here for you 24/7.

Call us on 01543211997

Questions to consider when funeral planning

There are a few choices to be made to make sure that the funeral you’re planning reflects your preferences in the best possible way, but not all of them have to be made in advance. The more traditional aspects of a funeral can be done away with completely in favour of a simple funeral.

  • Type of funeral - Would you prefer a burial, cremation or direct cremation?
  • Funeral provider - Do the providers you're looking at specialise in your preferred funeral and offer the support you'd like?
  • Clothes - Do you want to be wearing anything specific? What would you like your family to wear?
  • Music - Are there any particular songs, hymns or special pieces of music you'd like played?
  • Readings - Would you like any specific readings, poems or prayers? Or any photos or letters to be placed in your coffin?
  • Personal touches - Who would you like to write your eulogy or obituary? Are any charity donations to be made in your name?
  • Burial - Where would you like to be buried? Who would you like to carry your coffin?
  • Ashes - If you've chosen a cremation, where would you like your ashes scattered or who would you want to keep them?
  • Memorial service - Would you like a sombre, serious and traditional affair or something more personal and modern?
  • Location - Where would you like the funeral itself and the memorial service/wake afterwards to take place?

Some people plan a funeral down to the smallest details. Others have a broader plan. How detailed you would like your funeral planning to get is entirely up to you.

Our funeral planning products

We have four simple and low cost funeral plans for you to choose from.

Our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan gives your family the flexibility to pay their respects in their own way. Alternatively, our Small Attended Cremation Plans include a small family-led service with mourners present. If you would like to set up a plan with a full length celebrant-led funeral service we also offer our Simple Funeral Plan.

View our services or for additional pricing information and a full list of our optional extras, please see our price list.

Unattended Direct Cremation Plan

From £1,899 or £19.79* per month

Our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan is a great choice for those looking for a simple farewell which takes place with no service or mourners at our high-quality crematoria where compassionate care is guaranteed throughout.

View our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan * Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £2,374.80 and includes administration fees.

Small Attended Cremation Plans

From £2,199 or £25.58** per month

With our Small Attended Cremation Plans, you can have up to 8 people attending a 10 minute funeral service or 20 people attending a 20 minute funeral service to pay their final respects.

View our Small Attended Cremation Plans ** Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £3,069.60 and includes administration fees.

Sharing your funeral plans

Once you’ve chosen your funeral plan make sure to speak to your family so they know your wishes. You want to make sure your policy will be used so your money doesn’t go to waste.

Top Tip

Keep any funeral plan policy documents in a safe place. You might like to photocopy them too so you can give a copy to your next of kin.

Other helpful resources about funeral planning

Continue your funeral planning with our resources below.

Funeral alternatives

Alternative funeral

Know you don’t want to go down the traditional route, but not sure what you do want? Get to know the other options out there for your funeral arrangements.

Funeral alternatives

Cremation or burial?

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Cremation and burial funerals have similar core elements. Finding out about the two options in more detail can help you decide which one is right for you.

Cremation or burial

Arrange a funeral

Sue

If you are planning a funeral for someone who is receiving end-of-life care, waiting and arranging the funeral when needed may be the better option.

Arrange a funeral

What our customers say about us

We offer the highest level of support, but don't just take our word for it. Below are recent reviews from customers who bought a funeral with us.

4.9/5
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4.9/5
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Anonymous, on Feefo 22 Jan 2025
Really easy to set up and pay for in instalments.
Gary Hunt, on Feefo 21 Jan 2025
Regular contact from the initial phone call right through until after the ashes were returned to my mother. Very courteous and respectful at all times, would definitely recommend this without hesitation.
Ian Salmoni, on Feefo 21 Jan 2025
I recently had to call upon the services of Distinct Cremations when sadly my partner passed away suddenly. Maxine at Distinct Cremations was my contact, what a lovely lady, she took care of everything at my request, not trying to push any extras for the cremation of my partner, Maxine showed empathy and understanding in a very difficult time for myself, also kept me updated throughout the whole process right until my partners ashes were returned to me. So I have nothing but gratitude to Maxine and Distinct Cremations, and would recommend this Company to friends/family and anybody reading this review. Thankyou so much Maxine and the team @ Distinct Cremations ❤️
Rachel Dawn Owen, on Feefo 20 Jan 2025
I can honestly say Distinct Cremations were amazing throughout. From first ringing them right through to receiving the ashes back the service was excellent. They were thorough and compassionate in what was a traumatic time and kept me informed very step of the way.
Anonymous, on Feefo 16 Jan 2025
Jan was very friendly m, helpful and informative. A very pleasant experience.
Anonymous, on Feefo 14 Jan 2025
L Smith, on Feefo 10 Jan 2025
It was such a simple process from start to finish and our allocated assistant - Maxine - bent over backwards to make sure we were happy. The communication was great, the staff were so respectful and we felt relaxed the whole time knowing our loved one was in good hands. We would definitely recommend Distinct Cremations and will be organising our own cremation plan with them in the future.
Anonymous, on Feefo 10 Jan 2025
Veery efficient. Staff are very helpful. Fully recommended.
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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