Our funeral plans
Which funeral plan is right for you? As everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, we make sure our plans are as flexible as possible.
Available as cremation or burial
All of our funeral plans can also be paid over 12 months at no extra cost, or paid over a longer period with an additional instalment charge. For more information on what’s included and what’s not included with each of our funeral plans just click on the learn more links above for each plan.
Buy a planWhat's included in our funeral plans?
All of the following features are included in our funeral plans as standard and at no extra cost. Please note, features marked with a * are not included within the Basic Plan.
Provision of professional services and making all arrangements for the funeral
Advice on the certification and registration of the death and related documentation
The coffin*
Collection and transportation of the deceased to the funeral director's premises within a 25 mile radius (collection time frame is dependent on the plan you choose)
Care of the deceased prior to burial or cremation
Use of chapel of rest or service rooms*
Family viewing at any pre-arranged time (Costs may apply if out-of-hours viewing is required.)
Arrangement of the funeral service at a local cemetery or crematorium*
Funeral held on a normal weekday, during working hours*
Hearse to local crematorium or cemetery*
Provision of sufficient staff to attend to the coffin as required (e.g. pallbearers)
Built-in allowance towards third party costs (amount dependent on the plan you choose)
24 hour funeral director telephone support for the bereaved
Transportation to the funeral director’s premises if death occurs whilst on holiday in mainland UK
What's not included in our funeral plans?
The following features are not included in our funeral plans as standard, but you can express your wishes when you purchase and add on as appropriate.
Embalming
Burial plot (our plans don’t include the purchase of a burial plot. Should you choose burial, the plans include an allowance towards the opening of a new or existing grave)
Headstone or memorial
Catering / wake
Medical certificates
Minister or officiant fees
Flowers
Order of service
Newspaper / online notices
Additional information
Other funeral costs you need to think about
Whilst the cost of the funeral director’s services are included in your plan, there are other costs you need to consider.
Third party costs
All our plans include an allowance towards third party costs. These are costs for essential, non-funeral director services required to carry out a cremation or burial. Funeral directors cannot control these costs and these fees need to be paid at the time of the funeral. These costs are paid by us or by the selected funeral director to other suppliers or professionals to carry out funeral services.
All our plans include an allowance towards third party costs. Our Basic Plan includes a £500 built-in allowance, our Value Plan includes an £800 allowance whilst our Standard, Select and Premier Plans include a £1,100 allowance. This allowance can be used towards cremation fees, burial or interment fees as well as the minister or Officiant’s fee to conduct the service. The built-in allowance will not be used towards certain third party costs such as doctor’s fees (if applicable) or the purchase of the burial plot.
The value of the allowance included in your plan may grow over time. There will only be more to pay at the time of the funeral if the third party costs exceed the allowance when you buy your plan, or if the costs increase by more than the growth of your plan.
Please refer to our Key Features and Terms & Conditions (PDF) document for more information.
Optional services
You can choose to add extra services such as flowers, newspaper notices, a reception, catering and orders of service. These costs are not covered by your plan, you can choose to add these as an additional cost or your funeral director can help to organise these at the time.
Our Fees
The retail price of your funeral plan is representative of the equivalent cost of a funeral today plus an arrangement fee of £325 which we retain to help cover the costs of setting up your plan.
Payment options
Single payment option
With a one-off, single payment your funeral plan will be activated right away, giving you immediate cover for instant peace of mind.
12 monthly payment option (at no extra cost)
Pay a deposit from only £49, then make 12 monthly payments at no extra cost. You're fully covered once all payments are made.
Instalment payments
Pay a deposit from as little as £49, then spread the cost of your plan between 2 and 15 years (2 and 10 years for the Basic Plan)*. An instalment charge is included based on the term you select and is included in the overall cost of your funeral plan. If you die at any time after you’ve made at least 12 payments, the benefit of your plan will be provided, with no further sums to be paid.
Got questions? Talk to us!
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Our customers rate Golden Charter as excellent, with 4.6 out of 5 based on 2,822 reviews*
*Figures correct as of 1 August 2024
