50 Plus Protector Plan

50 Plus Protector Plan - How funeral costs have risen

Leaving loved ones with a large funeral bill isn’t something that any of us would like to do. That’s why many people choose to take out a 50 Plus Protector Plan to help cover some of the costs. If you’d like to give your family a helping hand in starting this way, you may wish to consider funeral prices before you decide on your monthly premium and sum assured.

Average funeral prices The graph on the left shows how the average cost of a funeral has risen by £813* between 2004-2009. We can never be sure what will happen to funeral prices in the future, but these rises are worth considering.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that the figures in the graph don’t include personal touches such as flowers, venue hire, newspaper notices, memorials or catering.

The cost of a funeral in your area

The cost of a funeral can vary depending on where you live. This map highlights the cost of burials and cremations in different regions. Please remember that these figures don’t include extras such as flowers or catering.

How funeral costs can add up

Our research on funerals shows that the average cost of a funeral could reach more than £4387† when you include these additional expenses:

Flowers
Headstone
Newspaper Notices
Reception and Catering
Venue Hire
Order of service
Death Notices

Some protection against rising prices

The 50 Plus Protector Plan has a cash sum that grows every year – which is good news if you’re worried about how prices may rise in the future. And whilst the increase is not linked to funeral costs, the Plan can help to reduce the impact of future price rises.
Funeral costs in the UK

* Source: Average of quotes provided by a sample of funeral directors for standard arrangements. Mintel Research Consultancy, Average Funeral Pricing, August 2009.
† Source: Mintel Research Consultancy, Average Cost of Dying, August 2009.
These reports have been commissioned by, and produced exclusively for, Sun Life Direct.

AXA is a worldwide insurance group. In the UK, one of the AXA companies is AXA Sun Life plc, the provider of your policy, which trades as Sun Life Direct. AXA Sun Life is an insurer based in the United Kingdom and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England No.3291349. Registered office: 5 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1AD. AXA Sun Life plc is a company limited by shares and is entered on the Financial Services Authority's Register (www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do). Registration number 185063. As part of our commitment to quality service, telephone calls will be recorded. If you choose the Funeral Benefit Option, Funeral Plan or Funeral Assist, the funeral services are arranged and provided by The Co-operative Funeralcare which is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Services Authority but is a registered provider with the Funeral Planning Authority.