What is a joint funeral plan
A joint funeral plan (sometimes also referred to as ‘funeral cover’) is essentially a single funeral plan placed in the names of yourself and a partner or spouse. The plan can be used by either one of you for the first or the second death. The key thing to remember about this type of plan is that it will only cover the cost of one funeral.
Who Is A Joint Funeral Plan Good For?
A joint funeral plan is aimed at couples who are seeking some financial protection when they pass away without the expense of taking out two individual plans.
With the substantial increase in funeral costs predicted to continue to rise in the coming years, a joint funeral plan will provide peace of mind that the cost of one service is guaranteed at today’s rate.
The emotional value provided by such a plan also cannot be ignored, as relatives and loved ones will not have to make any decisions about the service when one of you passes away.
Joint funeral plan vs 2 single funeral plans
What are the main differences between getting a joint funeral plan vs two single funeral plans?
A joint funeral plan:
- only covers the cost of one plan holder passing away. Two single plans would cover all costs.
- offers flexibility in whose service it can be used for.
- will be cheaper to take out than two single plans.
Joint funeral plan providers
We called the 6 most popular funeral plan providers in the UK to find out if they offer joint funeral plans and these were their responses:
Simplicity Cremations
Simplicity only offer separate funeral plans so individual plans can only be purchased through this provider.
Affordable Funerals
Affordable funerals offer joint funeral plans, but only for customers over 50.
Co-op
You can only purchase separate funeral plans with Co-Op Funerals
Pure Cremation
Pure Cremation do offer joint funeral plans.
Dignity
Only separate funeral plans can be purchased through Dignity
Royal London
You can only purchase individual funeral plans through Royal London
Best joint funeral plans
Pure Cremation
Pure Cremation specialises in unattended funerals. They do offer the option of having a small attended service for an additional cost.
Their main crematorium, Charlton Park Crematorium in Hampshire, was nominated for a Good Funeral Award for Best Crematorium in 2019.
They have an average rating of 4.9/5 stars (based on 11,028 ratings) on the independent review site Trustpilot, which makes them one of the most recommended providers of funeral cover
The Original Plan
The ORIGINAL PLAN offered by Pure is capable of being placed in joint names
£1595 one-off cost, or the option to spread this over an agreed number of payments ranging from between 6 and 60 months.
The Original Plan covers the cost of:
- Collection of the deceased from anywhere in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and mainland Scotland and transport of them to the crematorium.
- Doctors’ fees are associated with the passing.
- Cremation fees of an unattended committal at Charlton Park Crematorium in Hampshire or another carefully selected venue.
- Dignified care of body until cremation.
- A solid pine eco-friendly coffin.
- Removal of any pacemakers or implants if necessary.
- A Unique eco-friendly urn.
- Hand delivery of ashes to any mainland address in England, Wales or Scotland within 21 days of the cremation or the option of having these scattered in the garden of remembrance in Chalton Park Crematorium in Hampshire.
If you wish to have an attended service then this company offers two options:
- An attended service at Charlton Park Crematorium in Hampshire for a maximum of 12 people for 30 minutes at an additional cost of £250. No minister will be present and a maximum of three pieces of music can be played.
- An attended service at any Crematorium and Memorial Group crematorium at 9am on your chosen day. This is for a maximum of 12 people for 30 minutes at an additional cost of £400. No minister will be present and a maximum of three pieces of music can be played.
Affordable Funerals
Affordable Funerals’ roots can be traced back to a family of funeral directors that began in 1850.
They have an average rating of 4.8/5 stars (based on 439 ratings) on the independent review site Trustpilot. The following are funeral plans offered by Affordable Funerals which are capable of being placed in joint names.
The Direct Cremation Plan
One-off payment of £1490.
Covers the cost of a simple, direct cremation with no service and no family attendees.
Traditional Plan
One off payment of £2749.
Allows you to:
- Choose your desired crematorium.
- Choose your preferred independent funeral directors.
- Fill out a special request form to personalise your day by choosing certain songs or readings.
Covers the cost of:
- Collection of the deceased at any time or location.
- Care of and preparation of the body.
- The administration side of the death, including registration.
- A hearse and pallbearers.
- All fees are guaranteed apart from potential doctors fees.
Traditional Plus
One off cost of £3199.
Offers all of the services of the above ‘Traditional Plan’ and covers the additional costs of having a limousine and an officiant for the service.
IMPORTANT NOTE
During our market research call with Affordable Funerals, we were informed that the cut-off age for taking out plans payable by monthly payments was 74.
If you are below this age and decide to opt for monthly payments then interest on the outstanding sum will apply.
Pros and cons of joint funeral plans
| Pros | Cons |
| Flexible – can be used by either plan holder. | Only covers the cost of one funeral, so the costs of the second funeral would need to be met by your Estate or relatives. |
| Cheaper than taking out two individual plans. | If both plan holders die within a short period of time then your respective families will need to agree on which service will be covered by the plan. |
| Simple – under a joint plan you agree and pay for a service that you would both be happy with. | Funeral costs are forecast to increase, meaning your Estate or relatives will pay more for the service that is not covered by the plan in the future. |
| Provides financial protection and organisational support to the surviving partner or spouse. | It is difficult to personalise a joint plan to individuals, so if you wanted a simple service and your partner or spouse did not then two separate plans may be required. |
Joint funeral plan vs over 50s life insurance plans – can you have both?
You can take out both a life insurance policy and a funeral plan. Both products are very different from one another and are intended for different purposes. A life insurance policy will provide a lump sum to your nominated beneficiaries when you pass away. This lump sum can be used for any purpose.
In contrast, a funeral plan has no monetary value and can only be used to cover the cost of the services set out in the plan.
Joint funeral plan FAQs
Yes, you can have a joint funeral service.
It is important to remember that if you have a joint funeral plan with the other person who passes away that the cost associated with only one of you passing away will be covered under this.
We recommend that you query what would happen in this situation with whichever service provider you choose.
Yes you can have 2 funeral plans, but from a cost point of view, it doesnt make sense.
Whilst it is possible to have two funeral services for a loved one, and therefore two funeral plans may be required, it may not be cost-effective to have two funeral plans unless family members have conflicting ideas on how they should be laid to rest.