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Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
10 minute read
Compare Co-op funeral plans vs Aura in this detailed guide. If you’re interested in both of these options for your prepaid funeral plan and are unsure which one is right for you, we’ll do a side-by-side breakdown to help you make a decision.
Buying a funeral plan is both a practical and compassionate step that offers peace of mind to you and the ones you leave behind. With so many options on the market, comparing funeral plans can be a very important part of your purchasing process.
By examining each provider’s plans, features, costs, and scope of services offered, we aim to highlight the nuances between Co-op Funeralcare and Aura. We hope this helps you make an informed choice that best suits your preferences and circumstances.
Although they may be best known for their chain of grocery stores, The Co-operative Group can also provide funerals and prepaid plans through Co-op Funeralcare. They have over 800 funeral homes across the country making them one of the largest funeral service providers in the UK. Each location in its wide reach holds a commitment to quality and professional standards as they are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Co-op Funeralcare is the umbrella name for their Co-operative funeral plans and funeral services. This means they can cover those in need of a funeral now and those planning ahead. For immediate needs, they provide both attended and unattended cremations and burials with varying levels of personalisation depending on your needs.
Their funeral plans have 5 main options:
Founded in 2019 by Paul Jameson after his motor neurone disease diagnosis, Aura is a family-run, national funeral provider that redefines end-of-life planning. Paul shares this compassionate vision with his son Dave, family friend Ben, and a team rich in funeral industry experience. Together, we provide dignified, person-centred funeral services, specialising in direct cremation across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Aura provides high-quality funeral services, available both for immediate needs and through prepaid plans. We are committed to quality, affordability and care in all that we do. We are a fully regulated provider under the FCA and collaborate with reputable partners and suppliers that are members of the NAFD or The National Society Of Allied And Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
Aura offers three main funeral plan options:
Aura has three different levels of service, starting with our Perfectly Simple direct cremation at £1,595. For those desiring an attended service, prices are £2,195 for a small group and £2,695 for a larger gathering.
On the other hand, Co-op prepaid funeral plans use a tiered pricing system, starting at £1,700 for a direct cremation. Their plans increase from £3,265 for the simplest funeral option and go up to £4,160 for Gold, each tier offers more services and customisation options.
Although Aura’s basic plan starts at a higher price, it includes all costs upfront, offering clarity and ease in understanding the total expenses without hidden or added fees. In contrast, Co-op’s funeral plans do not include the hand-delivery of ashes to a loved one and they add fees to every payment you make with them. This increases the overall cost of the funeral arrangement and suggests that Co-op has gaps in their coverage.
Aura’s clear and transparent pricing means there won’t be any surprise fees for you now, which is helpful if you have a budget to stick to. It’s also good news for your family who won’t have a penny to pay when it’s time to put your plan into action.
The way you want to pay for your funeral plan can also be an important consideration as it has an impact on the overall affordability and convenience. Aura and Co-op both offer various payment options to suit different people.
Aura makes it easy with a choice to pay in full or spread payments over 12 to 24 months without any extra fees for instalments or administration. This approach is great for those who want to keep costs down and avoid unexpected charges.
On the other hand, Co-op offers the flexibility to pay all at once or over a longer period, from 6 months up to 25 years. However, they do charge an administration fee of up to 6% per payment and add extra costs for plans that extend beyond two years. Overall, Co-op funeral plans can become a bit more expensive than their initial starting price.
There’s nothing like quality customer service and a provider who is compassionate, attentive, and responsive can make it much easier to organise your plan. It’s also crucial for your loved ones to have a supportive team available to help them arrange your funeral when the time comes.
At Aura, we have a dedicated team to take on your funeral plan with care and respect. Meanwhile, our Angel team specialises in funeral arrangements and planning celebrations of life, assisting recently bereaved families. The Aura Angels are prepared to help with administrative tasks, paperwork, and any organisational needs. They are a compassionate guide to lean on in tough times.
Aura was founded by Paul as a gift to his family, and we extend the same level of care and respect to every client as if they were our own family. That’s why we bring a personalised touch to everything we do.
Co-op also offers support to assist both before and after the funeral process. Their team is available online, on the phone and in person. This includes practical advice on aspects like writing eulogies and what to wear at funerals, as well as emotional and bereavement support.
However, Co-op does not offer the same personal touches that Aura can provide. For instance, Aura offers the opportunity to choose between your ashes being hand-delivered to a loved one or spread in the garden of remembrance. With all of their funeral plans, Co-op does not offer delivery of ashes straight to your family. Ashes can only be collected from the crematorium, delivered to a funeral home and collected for £50 extra or spread in the garden of remembrance. These options may not be as personal or convenient for your family during their time of loss.
| Trustpilot Rating | Fairer Finance Rating (for Direct Cremation services) | |
| Aura | 4.9/5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Co-op | 3.1/5 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
A company’s reputation can tell you a lot about what to expect as a customer. If you do want to investigate the companies you’re looking at, reading reviews from previous customers or independent experts is a good place to start.
Aura has a 4.9-star rating out of 5 on Trustpilot, with clients sharing heartfelt testimonials of superb customer service. We also have a 5-star rating from Fairer Finance which is a testament to the quality we can offer to customers.
Co-op has a solid score considering its market share in the funeral industry. However, their ratings are lower than Aura’s. Their direct cremation plans have 3 stars from Fairer Finance and 3.1 stars on Trustpilot. These ratings mean that while some people are quite happy with Co-op’s service, there might be room for improvement.
At Aura, our plans are mainly focused on direct cremations, but we do offer the option to add on a service where guests can come to the crematorium. It’s a simplified take on traditional funerals that suits those who prefer less fuss or want more intimate, personal memorials.
Aura’s terms and conditions show that flexibility is a cornerstone of our service. We don’t charge any cancellation fees and you can change your mind at any time. This means you can tailor our services to fit your changing needs and preferences, making it a more personalised and accommodating option.
When it comes to customising your funeral plan, Co-op has more options. However, they reflect more of a traditional funeral experience. Their tiered pricing system covers direct cremation, basic setups and more detailed arrangements. This allows for greater personalisation, particularly for those who desire a more conventional funeral experience.
However, Co-op’s cancellation policy has more restrictions. They charge a £125 cancellation fee, which could lock you into a plan you don’t feel reflects your wishes if your preferences change over time.
If you’re looking at each company for more than just a prepaid funeral plan, explore the advantages that these two providers can offer you.
Aura has a membership option called the Aura Circle. It is completely free to join and gives you access to tools, guides, and resources all about planning for the future, including how to handle end-of-life matters. We also offer exclusive, time-limited discounts on our plans for members. For both members and non-members, we also offer savings if you buy a plan for yourself and a loved one together.
But the Aura Circle is not just about saving money; it’s also about adding a personal touch. Members can use it to share their life stories and make thoughtful plans for what comes next.
Co-op also has a membership scheme too. For a fee of £1, it includes small discounts on their funeral plans and more. It can be used in their grocery stores for food offers as well as discounts on their legal services and insurance.
Overall, Aura and Co-op have different strengths with different offerings. Your decision might hinge on what aspects of a funeral plan—cost, customisation, or customer service—hold the most weight for you.
When it comes to the final cost of your funeral plan, remember to take into account the gaps in coverage, any extra fees you may need to cover if your plan does not include it and payment terms. You can also always read through different review sites like Trustpilot to see what each company’s customers have to say.
To summarise, Co-op Funeralcare offers a broad range of options that cater to both direct cremation and traditional funeral needs, with varying levels of customisation and a strong presence across the UK. However, their pricing isn’t comprehensive and may leave you and your family with extras to pay.
On the other hand, Aura stands out for its transparency in pricing, no hidden fees, and compassionate, client-focused approach, which may resonate with those seeking a straightforward, dignified service with genuine care. With higher customer satisfaction ratings and a commitment to no cancellation fees, Aura proves to be a more considerate and adaptable option.
Interested in a funeral plan? Reach out to Aura for a chat. Our team is here to help you find a plan that suits your needs and budget. Get in touch or give us a call to learn more about how we can support you in planning ahead.
