Pre-Paid Funeral Plans in Dorset

What does a prepaid funeral plan cover?

A funeral plan allows you to decide some of the important details of your funeral in advance and record your wishes.

Depending on the plan you choose, this can include the services provided by the funeral director, your choice of coffin, care and transport of the person who has died and other arrangements included within your chosen plan.

You can also record personal wishes such as music, readings and other details that you would like your family and funeral director to know.

Your individual plan documents will explain exactly what is included.

What are third party costs?

Some funeral costs are charged by organisations or individuals outside Douch Family Funeral Directors. These can include crematorium or cemetery fees and fees charged by a minister or celebrant.

A funeral plan can include a contribution towards these third party costs. However, these costs are outside our control and are not guaranteed.

If the contribution included within the plan does not cover the third party costs when the funeral is needed, there will be a balance to pay.

Please refer to the Funeral Plan Terms and Conditions for full details.

What happens to the money I pay into my funeral plan?

Pre-paid funeral payments are held in whole of life assurance policies arranged by Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited, which is part of the Benefact Group.

Full information about how funeral plan payments are held is available in the Funeral Plan Terms and Conditions.

How does a prepaid funeral plan work?

A prepaid funeral plan allows you to decide on your funeral arrangements in advance and pay towards them before the funeral is needed.

When you take out a funeral plan through Douch Family Funeral Directors, the plan is provided and administered by Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited. You choose the funeral arrangements you would like to include and decide whether to pay for the plan in full or by instalments.

Prepaid funeral payments are held in whole of life assurance policies arranged by Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited, which is part of the Benefact Group.

Your funeral wishes and the services included in your plan are recorded. When the plan holder dies, Ecclesiastical Planning Services is notified and the funeral director can then arrange the funeral in accordance with the plan.

The funeral director costs included within the plan are covered, provided the funeral requirements have not changed and the selected funeral director carries out the funeral. If the plan includes a contribution towards third party costs, such as crematorium, cemetery, minister or celebrant fees, this contribution is put towards those costs. As third party costs are not guaranteed, there may be an additional amount to pay at the time of the funeral.

How can I pay for a funeral plan?

Funeral plans can be paid for in full or by regular instalments over 1 to 5 years.

There is an additional cost when paying by instalments over two or more years and eligibility criteria apply.

An approved funeral plan seller can provide a personalised quote and explain the payment options available to you before you make a decision.

Arrange your funeral plan locally

Some people prefer to arrange a funeral plan online while others would rather talk through their wishes in person.

If you would like to arrange a funeral plan through Douch Family Funeral Directors, contact your local branch. We will arrange for a member of our team who is approved to sell funeral plans to speak with you.

This gives you the opportunity to discuss your funeral wishes with a local family funeral director and ask questions before deciding whether a funeral plan is right for you.

Who is Ecclesiastical Planning Services?

Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited provides and administers the funeral plans offered through Douch Family Funeral Directors.

Ecclesiastical Planning Services is part of the Benefact Group.

Douch Family Funeral Directors is an Appointed Representative of Ecclesiastical Planning Services Limited.

Frequently asked questions about funeral plans

Can I buy a funeral plan for someone else?

Yes. A funeral plan can be purchased for yourself or for someone else.

Do I need to answer medical questions?

There are no medical or health questions to answer when taking out a funeral plan. Eligibility criteria apply.

Can I change my funeral plan?

You can make changes to your plan once it is fully paid. There may be an additional cost if you add services or features that were not included in the original plan.

What happens to my funeral plan if I move house?

If you move away, you should usually be able to transfer your plan to a funeral director near your new home. There may be additional costs depending on local prices.

Please refer to the Terms and Conditions or speak with Ecclesiastical Planning Services for further information.

Does a funeral plan cover the full cost of the funeral?

The funeral director costs listed in your plan are covered provided your requirements do not change and your selected funeral director carries out the funeral.

A plan can also include a contribution towards third party costs. These costs are outside the funeral director’s control and are not guaranteed, so there may be a balance to pay when the funeral is needed.

Can I cancel my funeral plan?

Yes. Cancellation terms apply. Please see the Funeral Plan Terms and Conditions for full details.

What happens if I die abroad?

The funeral plan does not cover the cost of a funeral abroad or the cost of repatriating the person who has died to the UK. Appropriate travel insurance should therefore be considered when travelling abroad.

Can I pay for a funeral plan monthly?

Yes. Payment options include paying in full or spreading payments over 1 to 5 years. Additional costs apply to instalment plans over two or more years and eligibility criteria apply.