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Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Buy now, pay in January
Buy your funeral plan today and pay in January for peace of mind this Christmas. Click here for full T&Cs.
Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Buy now, pay in January
Buy your funeral plan today and pay in January for peace of mind this Christmas. Click here for full T&Cs.
12 minute read
If you are wondering “can you pay for a direct cremation in advance?”, you may be feeling like you’re in a tough situation. Planning for a funeral often feels overcomplicated and all-consuming; rest assured, there are ways to make this difficult process a little easier for you and your family.
Securing financial and emotional stability for your loved ones is likely at the top of your list of priorities when planning for the end of life. And one way to do that is by prepaying for funeral arrangements in advance with Aura’s prepaid funeral plans. In this article, we’ll explain how you can protect your loved ones with a prepaid funeral plan, the benefits of doing so, and what to consider when making this decision
You may have considered cremation as an option for yourself or a loved one, but what is a direct cremation? Direct cremations are a simplified alternative to traditional funerals and they are on the rise in the UK. They eliminate cost factors such as embalming, venues, hearses, and limousines, while giving families the space to focus on immediate priorities after their loved one’s death. This type of service allows them to plan a meaningful and personalised celebration of life when the time feels appropriate, or when funds become available.
Unlike traditional funerals, direct cremation focuses solely on the cremation process, prioritising a seamless and stress-free experience for families. It is especially appealing for those looking to avoid the expense and formality of traditional services while maintaining dignity and respect for their loved one.
Direct cremation prices can vary by location, but arranging a low-cost cremation with Aura is the same price across all locations in the UK and will always be fully transparent. According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, the average funeral in the UK cost £4,141 in 2023. The report also highlights that funeral prices have increased by 126% between 2004 and 2024, significantly outpacing the 72% rise in general consumer price inflation over the same period.
This is why Aura proudly offers prepaid direct cremation plans, giving you the option to plan ahead while protecting your family from increases in prices in the future.
Direct cremation is a great choice for many reasons, some of which are affordability, flexibility, and practicality.
Funeral costs can often cause a lot of confusion, often resulting in frustration and doubt – Aura endeavours to provide clear, comprehensive information so that you don’t have to agonise over whether or not you’re getting the best value for your money. Our direct cremation plans start at £1,595, costing less than half the average amount of a standard funeral in the UK, making them the perfect choice for those looking for something a little more simple. We also understand how important it is for you to feel fully informed before you make a decision, and we encourage you to compare our plans with those of other leading providers to ensure you have considered all avenues.
Not only are our direct cremations affordable, they provide you the flexibility and practicality you really need when it comes to planning a funeral. Direct cremations enable families to plan memorials or gatherings at any location after the cremation has taken place. If you’re planning a funeral for yourself, you’re able to leave specific instructions about what type of gathering or end of life celebration, if any, you’d like to arrange.
Planning ahead for direct cremation offers both peace of mind as well as financial advantages. There are several ways to plan in advance for a direct cremation:
Some funeral homes and cremation providers, like us here at Aura, offer prepaid plans. Understanding how funeral plans work is the first step in deciding whether or not you’d like to consider purchasing one. These plans allow people to lock in today’s prices, avoiding potential cost increases in the future. These can be a good option if you wish to spare your family the stress of making arrangements and paying for the cremation at a very stressful time.
Some may have concerns about the safety of funeral plans. This is completely understandable, but we’d like to reassure you that our plans are fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). We were also proud winners at the 2024 International Compliance Association (ICA) Awards, highlighting our exceptional standards and processes to keep your money safe.
Understanding what insurance covers funeral costs can be confusing. ‘Over 50s life insurance’, can cover cremation expenses and is typically used in this way, however it is not specifically designed for this purpose. These policies pay out funds to beneficiaries after your death, and the money can be used for other expenses besides funeral costs.
It’s important to consider a few factors when evaluating funeral plans vs Over 50s insurance to make sure it’s the right fit for your personal circumstances.
You make regular policy payments towards a lump sum, which might vary according to your age. Once the policy is taken out, the premiums are fixed for the duration of the policy and cannot be changed. Beneficiaries of the policy will then receive a payout upon your death.
Main points to consider:
The cost of prepaid cremation plans can vary widely depending on factors like location, provider, and specific arrangements.
Prepaid direct cremation plans usually range from £1,340 to £1,895, according to Over 50 Choices. However, the total cost can vary based on the provider, the services included, and your preferred payment method.
Securing a prepaid direct cremation offers numerous benefits, from financial savings to emotional ease.
Paying in advance ensures you lock in current prices, avoiding potential inflation. It also helps you manage your money more effectively, especially during retirement. Knowing that your funeral arrangements are dealt with gives you a clear picture of your overall financial situation and allows you to feel more in control of your future.
Most people take out a prepaid funeral plan because they feel worried about the pressures their death will inflict upon those they are leaving behind. Prepaying for your funeral arrangements can alleviate the financial and emotional pressures on your family, easing their stress during a time of profound loss. It provides them the capability to focus on remembering your life instead, and lets them grieve without having to put their attention elsewhere.
Our brochure includes all the details you need surrounding our prepaid direct cremation funeral plans.
Get your free brochure sent by email or First Class post by clicking on the link below.
For those unable to pay the full amount upfront, many providers offer payment plans to make prepaid cremation more accessible. This is important, because affordable funeral services should be made available to everyone, now more than ever.
Instalment Options
Many plans include monthly or quarterly instalments over months or years. These options allow you to spread the cost of your funeral plan into affordable payments, whilst maintaining peace of mind that your plans are in place. With Aura, you can spread the cost of your plan over 12 or 24 months at no additional cost.
While prepaying can prove to be beneficial, it’s essential to evaluate a few key aspects before committing to a plan.
Choosing a reputable provider is crucial. Review the terms and conditions thoroughly, ensuring it covers everything you need it to. Here are a few things you may wish to consider:
Families often praise prepaid plans for providing a sense of calm and reducing stress during an emotional time. Many appreciate the transparency and care that providers extend to their customers, especially whilst the family is navigating a time which can often be very difficult and emotional.
Some customers, though, have reported issues with hidden fees or restrictive terms. We understand that it’s important for you to have full transparency over what your plan includes before committing to a purchase, which is why customer testimonials and reviews can be so helpful during this time. You may also wish to compare funeral plan providers on impartial websites such as Money Saving Expert to ensure you have all the information you need.
Check what a prepaid plan includes
The money allocated for your plan should cover most, if not all, aspects of your funeral service. Aura offers all-inclusive plans that include collection and transportation into our care from anywhere in mainland Great Britain, cremation fees and hand-delivering your ashes to a loved one. Every element of your funeral is included in the cost of your plan, so there will be nothing more to pay when the time comes.
However, some providers may charge extra for these services, so it’s essential to understand what your plan includes.
Flexibility of prepaid arrangements
Life circumstances can change, and it’s important that whatever plan you choose, it adapts to fit you. You may find that flexibility in terms and conditions, including the ability to transfer plans or make adjustments, is important to you.
At Aura, we believe that your funeral plan should bring complete peace of mind, no matter what the future holds. That’s why we have a money-back satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your plan, you can change or cancel it at any time, and we won’t charge you any admin fees.
Learning from others’ real experiences with prepaid cremation plans can provide valuable insights. Browsing reviews for a company’s services will give you a clearer overview of how they interact with their customers, and how they deliver their service.
Trustpilot is a great resource for those looking for reviews regarding a particular company. Aura has 459 reviews and a 4.9/5 stars rating on Trustpilot, reflecting the excellent reputation we have built over the years.
Aura was founded by Paul Jameson in 2019, after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. His response to his confrontation of mortality was to create a company that would provide the very best to those in need of funeral planning services. The goal was to provide families with an affordable, personal alternative during their most challenging times. Since then, Aura has supported tens of thousands of families, focusing on genuine compassion and care.
The support and compassion we provide is second to none. Our dedicated team of Aura Angels is on hand to answer questions, handle arrangements or even simply lend a listening ear. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our prepaid direct cremation plans or any other services we offer.
