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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.
9 minute read
We all want our funeral to be handled with care and respect. A prepaid funeral plan can provide that comfort and take care of your family too. Choosing the right funeral plan is a deeply personal decision and we want to help you choose the right one for you.
Information in the 2024 SunLife Cost of Dying Report reveals that the average UK funeral currently costs £4,141. By securing a funeral plan now at today’s prices, you could shield your loved ones from potential future price rises. However, beyond the financial benefits, a prepaid plan allows you to outline your final wishes, ensuring you’re remembered as you’d like to be and relieving your family from the burden of making difficult decisions during a time of grief. Essentially, it offers peace of mind to both you and your loved ones.
To us at Aura, a funeral plan is more than an arrangement. It’s a profound gift for your loved ones that is selfless and meaningful. We want to help you provide this thoughtful gift, with no burden to the family you leave behind; that’s why there are no extra costs, everything you need is included in the price of the plan.
Funeral plans vary from provider to provider, with options ranging from simple direct cremations to full-service burials. At Aura, we provide three direct cremation plans with unattended and attended options.
| Perfectly simple | Wonderfully Imagined (Intimate) | Wonderfully Imagined (Fully Attended) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating from independent experts at Fairer Finance | |||
| Doctor’s fees included | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cremation fees included | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Collection fees included. 24/7 within mainland Britain | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Oversized/bariatric coffin | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Return of ashes or scattered in the garden of remembrance | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Removal of standard medical items (e.g. pacemaker) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Choice of crematorium | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Attended Service | ✘ | ✔ 15-minute attended service for 15 people | ✔ 45-minute service for unlimited people* |
When it comes to comparing funeral plan providers, cost can be a deciding factor for many of us. However, not all companies are transparent about their final price. Make sure you look out for hidden fees, as some plans are not inclusive of all the extra processes you may need like the hand-delivery of ashes or doctor’s fees. If your plan does not cover some services, your family could face unexpected expenses when the time comes to put your plan into action. Always dig deeper to ensure you know exactly what you’re paying for, preventing any surprises down the line.
You can get a good idea of the support you’ll receive by looking at the reviews, testimonials and ratings of the providers you are considering. A reputable company will have a track record of transparent dealings and of fulfilling their promises. Trustpilot is a good place to look for customer experiences and Fairer Finance has independent reviewers who rate the quality of the services provided. You can also head to an independent consumer expert, such as Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert for an objective look at the different options that are out there on the market.
The right funeral plan should accommodate any changes you wish to make when it comes to your plan. Check if the provider offers flexibility after purchase, such as the ability to choose between different types of services or cancel without extra fees.
Exceptional customer service can be very valuable, especially for something as sensitive as a funeral plan. When you contact different providers, are they readily available to answer your questions and address your concerns? A company that offers compassionate, attentive, and responsive customer service can make the process much smoother for you and your loved ones.
When comparing funeral plans, start by listing what is most important to you, whether it’s price, level of service, or flexibility. Use comparison websites and direct enquiries to gather information on different providers. Pay close attention to customer reviews and independent ratings to gauge the quality and reliability of the services offered.
In general, our offering for unattended direct cremation plans stacks up well against those of our competitors. Our starting price is cheaper than most, but we are all-inclusive where those who are cheaper than us may not be. We also have the highest rating in the ‘Cremation Services’ industry on Trustpilot. We’ve put together a table below that lets you easily see the different offerings on the market.
| Fairer finance rating | |||||
Starting from price | £1,595 | £1,895 | £1,700 | £1,495 | £1,595 |
Trustpilot rating | 4.9/5 stars | 4.8/5 stars | 4.5/5 stars | 4.7/5 stars | 4.9/5 stars |
| All-inclusive* | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Lifelong free cancellation | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Money-back satisfaction guarantee | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Trust solvency | 146% | 124.8% | 106% | 148% | Unknown |
| No added instalment fees | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Choosing the right funeral plan is crucial for peace of mind, here’s how Aura measures up against Co-op Funeralcare. Aura is highly rated by both experts and customers, with both of our funeral plan options receiving five stars from Fairer Finance and 4.9 stars from customers on Trustpilot. In contrast, Co-op Funeralcare holds a 3-star rating from Fairer Finance and 3.1 stars from Trustpilot customers.
When it comes to flexibility, Aura understands that circumstances change, offering plans without a cancellation fee to adapt easily to life’s unpredictability. However, Co-op charges a £125 cancellation fee, which could complicate your decision to switch plans if your needs change.
On top of that, Co-op’s plans do not cover all costs, leaving out important services like doctor’s fees. This then leaves your loved ones with additional financial burdens during a difficult time. Co-op also adds extra charges for instalment payments if you choose to spread the cost over 2 to 5 years, which can increase the overall cost of your plan.
You also do not have the option to have your ashes delivered to a loved one; Co-op only offers collection.
If you’re considering Dignity for your funeral plan and want to see how it stacks up against Aura, here’s a quick summary. In comparison to Aura’s high ratings from independent experts and customers alike, Dignity’s direct cremation plans received three stars from Fairer Finance and 4.7 stars from customers on Trustpilot.
As we know, with Aura, there are no hidden costs; everything from doctor’s fees to additional necessary services is covered, ensuring no unexpected financial burdens fall on your family. Dignity, however, does not offer inclusive fees. Families may face additional charges whilst grieving, such as doctor’s fees and extra costs for collections that exceed 50 miles from their 45 crematoria locations.
Furthermore, Aura offers flexibility in the type of service you can add to your plan, allowing for either a simple or an intimate service alongside the cremation. Dignity, on the other hand, provides limited options with their direct cremation plans, offering no opportunity to add a personal touch or a small ceremony, which can be important for those wishing to commemorate their loved one in a specific way.
Here’s how Aura stands out compared to Pure Cremation. Although their plan is inclusive of all fees, Pure Cremations has only received a four-star rating from the experts at Fairer Finance and have a lower Trustpilot rating, suggesting they may not meet all customers’ expectations to the same extent as Aura.
A significant consideration for many when choosing a funeral plan is the ease of making changes if circumstances or decisions change. Pure Cremation imposes a hefty £350 cancellation fee, which could make it financially painful to switch plans if your needs evolve. We at Aura ensure that our plans can be adjusted or cancelled without such prohibitive costs.
Aura’s plans are not only comprehensive but also more affordable, being £100 less expensive than those offered by Pure Cremation. This price difference, coupled with our all-inclusive service that ensures no hidden fees or surprises, makes Aura an excellent choice for those seeking both value and quality.
Aura’s funeral plans stand out for their compassionate approach and affordable options. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on providing a low-cost, person-centred service with a personal touch that sets us apart from other providers.
Aura was founded by Paul Jameson and his profound personal insight into end-of-life planning following his being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. He wanted to create a company that provided the compassionate and respectful funeral services he couldn’t find elsewhere. Paul’s vision was clear – to leave his family prepared and to extend that peace of mind to others. He continues to run Aura with this mission alongside his son Dave, family friend Ben, and a dedicated and experienced team. As a family-run business, Aura brings a personal touch to funeral services that large corporations simply cannot match.
We offer highly rated options for your direct cremation plan. Aura is the only direct cremation provider offering two 5-star options, as independently rated by Fairer Finance, ensuring top-tier service. Our commitment to quality and compassionate service shines through customer testimonials. We have a 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot where clients have left their positive reviews, highlighting our supportive and personable approach.
We understand that circumstances can change, which is why you have the flexibility to alter or cancel your plan at any time without any hassle or fees. If you want to switch to one of our other direct cremation plans to include a service, our team will be happy to help you organise the funeral plan that reflects your wishes.
Transparency is a key part of Aura’s plans. Our pricing is straightforward and all-inclusive, meaning there are no hidden costs or unexpected fees for you or your family. We believe in providing clear, inclusive pricing so the ones you leave behind don’t have to pay an extra penny.
Aura’s plans cover everything you might need for your funeral This includes collection from anywhere in mainland Britain, a simple yet dignified coffin, and the removal of medical implants, among other essentials, ensuring a seamless and respectful process.
Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or making arrangements for a loved one, Aura’s team is ready to offer the supportive guidance you need to make the best choice. If you are interested in learning more about the particular benefits of our own funeral plans, read more here. Alternatively, you can get in touch by calling or writing to us; we’d be delighted to hear from you.
