Focus SWW Winter 2018 | Page 26

The Final Word Why consider a funeral plan? You should consider a Funeral Plan to deal with the most personal and sensitive of your family affairs and alleviate the financial and emotional burdens that naturally accompany a bereavement. Planning ahead is important. Here are some of the reasons why people choose to purchase funeral plans: • Funeral plans provide an • A funeral plan ensures that your • You can choose a funeral to suit opportunity to secure funeral wishes will be carried out and that your requirements across a range director’s services at today’s the funeral director’s services will of prices, or you can pay by prices, to counter the sharply be paid for at no extra cost to your instalments if you prefer. rising costs of a funeral. family. • You will receive a welcome letter • Often people just don’t know what • Savings in a bank or building and certificate which confirms their deceased relative wanted - society is just a sum of money. the funeral you have chosen. usually because it’s natural to put Your executors are not obliged to It also specifies, if you wish, off talking about it. spend it on your funeral and it may personal details such as religious not keep up with the rising costs requirements, gifts to charities in • At a time of sadness, you will have of funerals. lieu of flowers, music, etc. relieved your family of a significant financial burden. Those you • Putting your funeral wishes in leave behind will remember your your Will is not binding upon your thoughtfulness. executors - they do not have to carry out your wishes. The national average cost of a funeral has more than doubled since 2004 The reality facing us all is that the cost of a funeral in the UK has risen by 90% since 2004 and is predicted to continue to rise significantly in the future. By choosing to purchase a Guaranteed Funeral Plan, you can secure the cost of the Funeral Director’s services, at today’s prices, with no more to pay however much they may rise in the future. Source: The SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2017 Your Money is Secure Funeral Partners Limited provides exceptional security for your money. All of the invested funds are held securely in a whole of life assurance policy to pay for your funeral service. For maximum security, Funeral Plan funds are held in guaranteed whole of life assurance policies with a life assurance company that is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the PRA and the Financial conduct Authority (FCA). Funeral plans themselves are not regulated by the PRA or FCA but are regulated by the Funeral Planning Authority. 24 The Society of Will Writers