Prepaid Funeral Plans
From a traditional funeral to a fuss-free direct cremation, benefit from peace of mind and arrange the funeral you want with a prepaid funeral plan.
What is a funeral plan?
A funeral plan is an easy way to arrange the funeral you want in advance. It allows you to specify your wishes and prepay for the funeral director’s service included in your plan. These fees will be fixed at today’s prices so are protected against rising costs.
A plan from Golden Charter also includes an allowance towards third party costs. These are essential, non-funeral director services such as the cremation or burial fees, plus the minister or officiant’s fee to perform the service.
Third party costs are outside of our control. However, the allowance included in your plan may grow over time and there would 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.
Benefits of a funeral plan
- Peace of mind in knowing you have helped to save your family from the worry of funeral costs and arrangements
- Arrange the send-off you want through the trusted, local funeral director of your choice
- By prepaying for the funeral director’s services included in your plan, these costs are fixed at today’s prices, protecting against rising costs.
A plan for you
We work in partnership with Golden Charter, one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers1. They have helped nearly one million people to plan ahead2 and their plans are available to all UK residents regardless of age or state of health.
Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure the plans we offer are as flexible as possible. We’ll take the time to understand your wishes and tailor a plan to suit you – be it a traditional funeral or a no-fuss direct cremation. From the type of funeral you would like, to music and hymns, to flowers and any personal touches or unusual requests, we’ll make sure your plan accounts for these.
Golden Charter offers several ways to pay for your funeral plan with the added reassurance that your payments are protected3. Simply choose the right option for you.
As a Golden Charter funeral plan holder, you will benefit from our professionalism and care. It means you can be sure of a truly personal service when the time comes.
If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch today and we will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision for you and your family.
1 Based on a Golden Charter analysis and independent research of the funeral plan market size as at May 2024.
2 Correct at August 2024.
3 Your payments are held in the Golden Charter Trust. For more information on how your payments are protected, please visit goldencharter.co.uk/faqs.
A.B. Walker & Son Limited is an appointed representative of Golden Charter Limited trading as Golden Charter Funeral Plans which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN:965279).
Prepaid funeral plan FAQs
Yes, we work in partnership with Golden Charter, one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers1 to offer funeral plans tailored to your wishes.
1 Based on a Golden Charter analysis and independent research of the funeral plan market size as at May 2024.
A.B. Walker & Son Limited is an appointed representative of Golden Charter Limited trading as Golden Charter Funeral Plans which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN:965279).
Golden Charter offers several ways to pay for your funeral plan – simply choose the one that’s right for you:
- Single payment option – a one-off payment for immediate cover
- 12 monthly payment option – 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit at no extra charge. You will be fully covered once all of your payments are made
- Instalment payment option – spread the cost of your plan between two and 15 years. This option includes the added benefit of the Golden Charter Pledge1, which ensures that if you die at any time after you have made 12 payments and your payments are up to date, the benefit of your plan will be provided, with no further sums to be paid towards the funeral director services included in your plan, as long as your payments remain up to date2.
1 You can find out more in Golden Charter’s Key Features and Terms and Conditions.
2 For the instalment payment option you must be aged under 78 at the start date of your plan and pay the total cost by your 80th birthday. Please refer to the Key Features document for eligibility of each payment option.
If you cancel within 30 days Golden Charter will refund the payment you have made.
Details of cancellation terms after 30 days of receiving your plan documents are included in Golden Charter’s Key Features document which is supplied with your funeral plan.
Yes, with Golden Charter funeral plans your payments are protected1. Your payments are held within the Golden Charter Trust which is operated by a Board of Trustees, completely independent of Golden Charter and ourselves. Their role is to hold your payments and ensure that the funeral director services in your plan can be paid for – whenever they are required.
1 Your payments are held in the Golden Charter Trust. For more information on how your payments are protected, please visit goldencharter.co.uk/faqs.
Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure the plans we offer are as flexible as possible. We’ll take the time to understand your wishes and tailor a plan to suit you.
You can tell us about any preferences you have in mind – the type of funeral you would like to have, hymns, music or any other personal touches – and we’ll make sure your prepaid funeral plan takes these into account.
Contact us, or Golden Charter on 0808 169 4534, and let us know of any change in personal details or your funeral requirements. We will update our records and your plan.
Contact Golden Charter on 0808 169 4534 to tell them you are moving so your plan records can be updated. As the plans are flexible, you will have the option to move your plan to a different funeral director local to your new address. Please note that this may incur costs.
When you take out your prepaid funeral plan, you’ll receive personalised plan documents. These include a summary of your plan, our details, your plan holder certificate and a personal membership card for you to carry in your purse or wallet. As your nominated funeral director, we will hold details of your funeral plan. When the time comes, one phone call is all it takes to activate your plan and get the arrangements underway.
You may want to make your family aware of your funeral plan details. If you have opted to have a nominated representative for your plan, they will receive a letter shortly after you have purchased your funeral plan. This will let them know that you have put a plan in place and provide our details.
If you are on holiday in mainland UK, we will arrange transportation back to the funeral home as part of your funeral plan. Overseas transportation is not included in your plan however we can help arrange this. We would always recommend you have travel insurance when travelling.
This will depend on the payment method you have chosen. Please refer to the Key Features document that is provided with your plan for more information.
Yes, as the plan holder’s representative, we will arrange for all correspondence to be sent to you.
We only work with Golden Charter funeral plans and do not accept funeral plans from any other provider. If you wish us to assist in your funeral we can review your existing policy and advise you on your options.
In the unlikely event that this happens, we will inform you and Golden Charter will appoint a new funeral director in accordance with your wishes. Your funeral plan payments are protected1 so your plan would still be valid.
1 Your payments are held in the Golden Charter Trust. For more information on how your payments are protected please visit goldencharter.co.uk/faqs
Other considerations when planning ahead
Legal and financial matters
What would you like to happen to your money and property?
Find your nearest branch
Local branches in Bracknell, Caversham, Henley-on-Thames, Maidenhead, Reading, Thatcham, Tilehurst, Wokingham and Woodley.
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To speak to a member of our team call us on 0118 957 3650.
