Willowfield Private Funeral Home - Pre-Paid Funeral Plans

There comes a stage in all our lives when it's natural to think about when we won't be here. We wonder about loved ones and what to leave them.

There are some things however, that we wouldn't wish to leave them. These include the burden of high funeral costs and the worry of deciding on the funeral arrangements.

If you have concerns about such matters, our funeral plan will bring you peace of mind.

With our funeral plan, we will make sure that your loved ones are spared much of the burden of organising a funeral. You'll have specified every detail in advance and taken care of all the costs within our control.

A guarantee that covers all our services

No matter how much our services may rise in cost in years to come, neither you nor your family will be asked for a penny more for them. You can be assured that your family will be spared what could be financial worry.

There are some costs which we are obliged to pay on your behalf. Known as 'disbursements', they include the charges of cemeteries and crematoria, as well as doctors' fees for completion of cremation certificates, the fees of clergy or other service officiants and the costs of newspaper notices and floral tributes. The cost of this expenditure is obviously beyond our control and may require a further payment for these at the time of need.

Better Value than bank or building society accounts

What are the economic advantages of our Independent Way Funeral Plan? Would you do better to put your money in a bank or building society rather than pay for your funeral in advance? History indicates the answer is No!

In recent years, funeral expenses have risen ahead of inflation. This is mainly because of rises in the costs of disbursements, which are beyond our control. Even high-interest bank and building society accounts have not kept pace with these increases. On past evidence, a pre-paid funeral plan is much better value as shown by the graph below:

If in 1991 you'd invested £820 (then the cost of an average funeral) in a bank or building society, it would have grown to only £1,247.80* over the next sixteen years - not enough to keep up with rises in funeral costs. The same funeral has more than doubled in cost to £1,825.00, a difference of £577.20.

A **recent survey has shown that the average cost of a funeral had increased by 10 per cent over a twelve month period. The average cost of a funeral in the UK is now £2390, cremation being £2160 and burial (excluding purchase of grave) £2620. The survey further predicts that by 2012 a funeral costing £2500 today will have risen by 38 per cent to £3450. Putting money in a high-interest building society account would not have kept up with these increases. In comparison a Golden Charter plan would have given much better value.

We'll help you personalise your plan

Our funeral plan allows you to tailor the arrangements to your exact wishes. No matter how simple or unusual the request, we'll make sure all your requests will be honoured.

Easy ways to pay

You have the option of easy monthly installments (with no interest charged if completed within 12 months) or a single one-off payment. To ensure your money is secure, a legally separate trust administers the funds.

Financial security

Your payment will go directly to the Golden Charter Trust, which will hold the money for your funeral on behalf of Willowfield Private Funeral Home. This is why we are able to provide a legally binding contract, guaranteeing that your selected arrangement will be carried out when required.

The Trust Fund is a legally separate entity from Golden Charter. In the unlikely event of something untoward affecting the company, the Fund would continue until every plan has been carried out.

Would you like to know more?

A pre-paid funeral plan isn't something you rush into, so contact us and we'll send you our free brochure in confidence. It contains everything you need to know, including prices. And remember, if you need clarification or reassurance at any point, all you have to do is contact us as we are only too happy to help you.

Helpful downloads

For extra information you may wish to download the following:

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** ASLD Survey Mintel 2007.