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Compare Farewill Funeral Plans vs Aura

10 minute read

If you’re interested in setting out your final wishes for your funeral, you may want to compare Farewill funeral plans vs Aura. A funeral plan is a thoughtful way to bring comfort to you and your family. It secures the peace of mind that your final wishes are prepared, and your family won’t need to handle difficult decisions or financial worries during their time of grief. 

There are several options on the market, so comparing funeral plans is a big part of the decision-making process. Both Aura and Farewill offer simple, direct cremation options that you can arrange and pay for in advance. However, there are some key differences between the two.

In this article, we will take you through the offerings of both companies. By diving into the terms of each plan, their customisation options, company reputation and history, we hope we can help you find a provider that suits your needs.

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About Farewill Pre-Paid Funeral Plans

Founded by Dan Garrett and Tom Rogers, Farewill launched its online will-writing service in 2016, allowing people to create wills from the comfort of their homes. As their digital-first model gained popularity, the company expanded their services to include probate and estate administration.

In 2020, Farewill added a direct cremation funeral option, designed for those handling a recent passing. They focus on direct cremations without a ceremony or attendees. By 2024, the company expanded its services further by including funeral plans aimed at people who are interested in making their own end-of-life preparations. These plans are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which ensures they adhere to certain consumer protection standards.

What is an Aura Funeral Plan?

After a diagnosis of motor neurone disease, Paul Jameson was seeking a compassionate and simple funeral provider whilst he made his own end-of-life plans. When he couldn’t find what he was looking for, he created his own. And so, Aura was born.

Led by Paul, his son Dave, and a close friend, Ben, Aura specialises in direct cremations. Our whole team is passionate about offering person-centred services with genuine care and respect. We offer immediate support for those who have recently been bereaved as well as prepaid funeral plans for those planning ahead.

Aura is committed to offering high-quality, affordable funeral services. As a company regulated by the FCA, we ensure our prepaid plans are protected. We also partner with companies that are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and The National Society Of Allied And Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) to provide our time-of-need services.

Aura offers three funeral service options:

Perfectly Simple: A direct cremation without any attendees.

Wonderfully Imagined (Intimate): A direct cremation that includes a 15-minute service for up to 15 people, allowing for a private goodbye. 

Wonderfully Imagined (Fully Attended): A direct cremation with up to 45 minutes for a service that can accommodate the maximum guest capacity of the crematorium. 

 

Aura vs Farewill Funeral Plans

Prepaid Funeral Plan Costs

We know that cost can be a deciding factor for many when it comes to choosing a funeral plan, but it is also important to look into what services are covered at that price. 

At Aura, we believe that a funeral plan is a gift to those we leave behind. This is why our plans are all-inclusive, meaning there is nothing left for your family to pay when the time comes. This includes the removal of medical devices, hand delivery of ashes, a coffin, cremation fees, urgent collection and an oversized/bariatric coffin if it’s needed.

We offer three plan options. This starts with the Perfectly Simple direct cremation priced at £1,595. If you are seeking an attended service where your loved ones can gather for a moment of private reflection, we offer two Wonderfully Imagined plans. The Intimate option is priced at £2,195 for 15 people for 15 minutes. The Fully Attended option is priced at £2,695 for up to 45 minutes and can accommodate the full capacity of the crematorium.

Farewill offers one direct cremation plan. Starting at £1,595 it includes a coffin, urn, cremation fees and the hand delivery of ashes as well as a contribution towards the removal of medical devices and an urgent collection. However, Farewill’s plans do not include the cost of an oversized/bariatric coffin.

While Aura’s starting price may be slightly higher, it includes all necessary costs upfront. This offers peace of mind for both you and your family, who will not face any additional fees when the plan is needed.

 

Payment Options

The way you pay for your funeral plan can impact the overall value and convenience of your plan. Take a look at the payment options that each provider offers, so you know what to expect.

Aura makes paying for a prepaid funeral plan simple. You can choose to pay the full amount in one go or spread the cost over 12 to 24 months with no additional charges. This flexibility helps you stay within your budget and avoids any unexpected fees.

Farewill also offers flexible payment options. You can pay the full amount upfront or spread the cost over 24 monthly payments. However, it’s important to note that choosing the instalment plan incurs an extra charge of £100, increasing the total cost of your Farewill funeral plan.

 

Customer Service and Support

When faced with the task of organising a funeral, whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, the support and service from your funeral provider are incredibly important.

At Aura, we understand this need deeply. Our dedicated team is always ready to help you set up your funeral plan and answer any questions. For those facing a recent loss, our Aura Angel team specialises in funeral arrangements. They can help provide grief support and assistance with administrative tasks and paperwork, which can be overwhelming during a period of loss. 

Available whenever you need them, our Angels are there to help recently bereaved families navigate this challenging time. We also offer valuable resources, including articles and guides on dealing with loss, explaining funeral costs and what to do when someone dies.

Farewill provides support for those seeking funeral arrangements needed now and for future planning. Their team is available online and by phone for guidance in the decision-making process. Farewill also offers various online resources and guides to help families understand and navigate probate, will-writing and funeral arrangements.

While both companies are committed to providing support to those who need it, Aura’s personalised approach through our Aura Angels sets us apart. We ensure each family receives dedicated, individualised attention and care, which can be especially comforting during such a sensitive time.

 

Customer Satisfaction and Reviews

To discover what kind of quality customer service you can expect, reputation and customer feedback are great tools for your comparison process. Both Aura and Farewill have excellent reviews, each holding an impressive 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot, reflecting high customer satisfaction. 

However, it’s worth noting that many of Farewill’s reviews come from their will-writing services, which might not fully represent the experiences of their direct cremation clients. In contrast, all of Aura’s top reviews specifically relate to our funeral plans and direct cremation services, showing our dedication and commitment to providing high-quality services.

Additionally, Aura has received a five-star rating from Fairer Finance for both our attended and unattended direct cremation plan options. On the other hand, Farewill’s direct cremation plan has only received a two-star rating, indicating that Aura’s services provide more cover and better meet customer expectations.

 

Flexibility and Customisation

Both Aura and Farewill focus on providing direct cremation plans for those who prefer a no-fuss, simple option for their funeral service. However, they do have different approaches to how they provide this to their clients.

Farewill has limited customisation. They only offer one direct cremation service which is unattended. There is no opportunity for a private service for guests to attend at a crematorium to personalise the day. Additionally, their prepaid plans are limited in their flexibility. If you change your mind about your plan with Farewill, you will be charged £300 to cancel after the initial 30 days.

At Aura, we want your funeral plan to always reflect your wishes. That’s why we allow free changes and cancellations at any time. We hope this helps bring you some reassurance for the future.

As well as a more flexible cancellation policy, Aura also offers more personalisation options than Farewill. We can provide direct cremation services that are unattended, but if you do wish for a more customised funeral, we can offer two attended options for different group sizes. This is a more stripped-back version of a traditional funeral service as it has no pallbearers and no procession. However, you can add music, and readings and share stories with loved ones to make the event just as unique as you.

 

Additional Benefits and Features

When choosing a funeral provider, it’s also useful to consider not only their services, pricing, and customer support but also any unique benefits they might offer.

With Aura, you can take advantage of time-limited savings when you become a member of the Aura Circle. It is completely free of charge to join, and you also get access to resources, guides and tools that can help you with end-of-life matters. We also can offer savings to non-members and members alike when you purchase a prepaid funeral plan together with a loved one.

More than just financial benefits, The Aura Circle offers you a chance to share your life story, pass on important details, record your final wishes and send messages to family to treasure when you have passed on.

Farewill, meanwhile, offers the convenience of combining probate and will-writing services with direct cremations, making it easier to manage all your legal and administrative needs with one company. However, it is unclear whether they offer any specific discounts or additional benefits for using multiple services.

 

Summary

We hope this comparison of Aura and Farewill’s funeral plans has been a helpful aid as you navigate your options. 

Farewill provides a straightforward direct cremation for those seeking a simple option. You can also use their probate and will-writing services which may appeal to those looking to handle multiple arrangements through a single provider. 

On the other hand, Aura distinguishes itself with all-inclusive plans for both unattended and attended direct cremations. This approach is complemented by a dedicated support team available to assist at any time. Our compassionate care is exactly what we would want our own families to receive, which is why our services are so highly rated. While both companies have high Trustpilot ratings, Aura’s broader range of services and its focus on personal touches and financial transparency help us stand out.

If you are interested in buying a funeral plan with us at Aura, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is happy to help over the phone or via email.

Betty Gardiner

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