Single Payment

Questions and Answers

 

• What is Funeral Plan?
• What is Funeral Assist?
• What are disbursements?
• What if I want to have extra services?
• Can I have a burial ceremony instead of a cremation?
• What happens if I die when I’m abroad?
• How is the Funeral Director selected?
• How do I pay for single payment Funeral Plan or Funeral Assist?
• What if my family arranges and pays for a funeral directly and are unaware of the plans I’ve made?
• What happens if my circumstances change and I no longer want The Co-operative Funeralcare to arrange my funeral services?
• How am I protected?
• When will my funeral services be available?
• What is the average cost of a cremation in the UK?
• Can I cancel my Funeral services?

 

 

What is Funeral Plan?

Funeral Plan allows you to pay towards a simple cremation funeral, so your loved ones have less to worry about at a difficult time. The funeral director's costs and disbursements are paid in full with this Plan. You can find out what's included in Funeral Plan by taking a look at our comparison table.

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What is Funeral Assist?

Funeral Assist allows you to pay towards a simple cremation funeral. The Funeral Director's costs are paid in full, ensuring an important and necessary expense is taken care of. Funeral Assist does not include disbursements, so your loved ones will need to pay these costs at the time. You can find out what's included in Funeral Assist by taking a look at our comparison table.

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What are disbursements?

Disbursements (also known as 'third party costs') are the necessary fees paid to third parties - the Crematorium, Ministers/Officiants and Doctors - at the time of the funeral. These are paid via the funeral director but are not under their control. As a rough guide, the average combined cost of these disbursements for a cremation funeral is £807** today and could rise in the years to come.

Choosing Funeral Plan means that you will be taking care of these fees and your loved ones will not have to pay for them at the time of the funeral.

Under Funeral Assist, these fees are not included, so your loved ones will have to pay them when the funeral takes place at whatever the cost might be at the time.

** Mintel Research Consultancy, Average Funeral Pricing July 2011. This report has been commissioned by and produced exclusively for Sun Life Direct.

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What if I want to have extra services?

There are a number of additional services that are not included but can be requested and paid for if applicable by the person arranging your funeral at the time. Your Co-operative Funeralcare Funeral Director will be able to provide guidance and advice on this. Any personal wishes that you may have can be recorded and the Funeral Director will pass them on to your family at the time of the funeral.

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Can I have a burial ceremony instead of a cremation?

No. Funeral Plan and Funeral Assist are only suitable for a cremation funeral and can’t be used for a burial.

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What happens if I die when I’m abroad?

Funeral Plan and Funeral Assist do not cover the cost of transportation from abroad. You would need to ensure that you have travel insurance that covers repatriation costs or your family would need to pay at the time of need. The Co-operative Funeralcare has a Repatriation Team that can assist with these arrangements in the event of a death overseas.

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How is the Funeral Director selected?

You can nominate your preferred funeral home using the Personal Wishes Form issued by The Co-operative Funeralcare. Alternatively, The Co-operative Funeralcare will advise the person arranging the funeral of the nearest Co-operative Group Funeral Home,other participating Co-operative Society Funeral Homes, or local Funeral Directors affiliated to The Co-operative Group.

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How do I pay for single payment Funeral Plan or Funeral Assist?

You can pay your single payment by cheque, credit or debit card.

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What if my family arranges and pays for a funeral directly and are unaware of the plans I’ve made?

The money would be paid back to your estate by The Co-operative Funeralcare less a cancellation fee of £250*. The amount paid to the estate may not be enough to cover the full cost of alternative arrangements.

*Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for full details.

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What happens if my circumstances change and I no longer want The Co-operative Funeralcare to arrange my funeral services?

The cash sum you have paid will be refunded minus a £250 cancellation fee. The Co-operative Funeralcare will not pay out any interest on the money you’ve paid and the cash sum refunded might not be enough to cover alternative arrangements.

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How am I protected?

As an established company with over 70 years’ experience, The Co-operative Funeralcare has a reputation for taking the utmost care of its customers’ money. It’s reassuring to know that The Co-operative Funeralcare is a member of the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA) and abides by its regulations in regard to Funeral Planning. The FPA exists to help protect consumers’ interests across the UK Funeral Planning sector and is independent and impartial in all their dealings on behalf of consumers.

The Co-operative Funeralcare is not subject to financial regulation by the Financial Services Authority. The funds are held in a Whole of Life policy with The Co-operative Insurance which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. In the unlikely event of The Co-operative Funeralcare going out of business, you would not be able to make a claim under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. As The Co-operative Funeralcare is a member of the FPA, the other FPA members would co-operate and seek to assist in arranging delivery of the funerals of affected customers.

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When will my funeral services be available?

As soon as The Co-operative Funeralcare have received your payment and it has been processed, your chosen funeral services will be available when the time comes.

 

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What is the average cost of a cremation in the UK?

The average cost of a standard cremation funeral, including disbursements, in the UK has risen over the last seven years and now stands at £2,720.*

* Source: Average of quotes provided by a sample of funeral directors across the UK for standard cremation funeral arrangements, including disbursements. Mintel Research Consultancy, Average Funeral Pricing July 2011. This report has been commissioned by and produced exclusively for Sun Life Direct.

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Can I cancel my Funeral services?

You have 30 days from the day you receive your information pack from The Co-operative Funeralcare to cancel your funeral services. During this time you would receive a full refund.

If you cancel your funeral cover after 30 days, you need to notify The Co-operative Funeralcare in writing and your money will be refunded minus a £250 cancellation fee. Interest will not be paid on any money refunded and your funeral services would not be provided.

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