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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 2024, less than 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.

+ Less than 1% of people knew all their loved one’s funeral wishes in 2024 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, 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 two simple and low cost funeral plans for you to choose from.

Our Direct Cremation Plan gives your family the flexibility to pay their respects in their own way. Alternatively, with our Funeral Service Plan, you have the choice of a 30 or a 60 minute service. This can be family-led or led by a professional celebrant. The choice is yours.

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

Direct Cremation Plan

From £1,799 or £19.79* per month

Our 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 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.

Funeral Service Plan

From £2,299 or £27.51** per month

Our attended cremation plan is perfect for those looking for a fuss-free farewell and a final chance to say goodbye. With our affordable attended plan you have a choice of a 30 or a 60 minute funeral service depending on what you'd prefer.

View our Funeral Service Plan ** Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £3,301.20 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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4.8/5
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Colin Gaunt, on Google 12 Mar 2025
The staff at Distinct Cremations guided us through the process of planning our funerals painlessly and efficiently whilst showing empathy at all times. We are very glad we chose Distinct Cremations and would recommend them to friends and family.
Nanette Elizabeth Marigold, on Feefo 17 Feb 2025
During such a sad moment in my life I was pleased to be have the support from Distinct Funerals, who were excellent from start to finish. They recommended a celebrant for the cremation, Chris Tabor, who was such a fantastic person and guided and supported me and did such a wonderful eulogy for my brother. I highly recommend the Mercia Forest Crematorium who again were helpful and supportive during this sad time. Distinct Funerals eased this stressful situation with their expert knowledge and professionalism.
Karen Westwood, on Feefo 17 Feb 2025
The care and dedication from Sarah miller Made a sad day so easy for family I would 100% recomend there service to anyone This is such outstanding company and staff Took all hardwork onboard for family making Easy for bereaved family thank you so much The Westwood family **
Donny Grieve, on Google 13 Feb 2025
very straight forward easy to use
Glyn Davies, on Google 13 Feb 2025
I've bought a unattended cremation from distinct , and the whole process was easy to set up ,Leah the lady we dealt with made everything so easy answered all our questions and made us feel very comfortable with the choice we had made.
Pauline Hanscomb, on Google 12 Feb 2025
Very friendly staff, efficient, easy to understand & easy to take control of your last wishes.. x ty
Lorraine , on Feefo 11 Feb 2025
Very easy to navigate the choices of Cremation plans and prices online. I spoke to a member of staff who was extremely helpful and reassuring. I choose a plan for ease and peace of mind for me and my family. I would definitely recommend Distinct Cremations.
Patrice Stephen, on Google 11 Feb 2025
Very friendly staff, easy to set up ,very happy with my choice
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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