Pre paid funeral?

[Pale Rider]

for £1,595 seems very reasonable.

It does, although before signing up it might be worth getting a couple of quotes for the same service as a one-off purchase.

We had a Covid friendly graveside funeral for my mother last year.

My two brothers dealt with it, not least because I was unable to go.

I can't recall the cost, but I think it was less than the few thousand we were expecting.

Mother was plonked on top of father with his gravestone refurbed and amended to include her, all of which may have reduced the price.

Incidentally, there was a 'discussion' over our family plot.

Father died more than 50 years ago, and it was mother's understanding the plot next to him was reserved to us.

A contention borne out by the gap next to father, in an otherwise now full row of gravestones.

The vicar denied the arrangement, telling us 'we don't do that'.

We didn't fall out over it, but the tale does illustrate how promises and commitments can become lost over a period of time.

Which might be another reason not to pay for a funeral years in advance of death.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Just musing, if you do get buried in the back garden does it get entered on the deeds or something? People have mentioned about devaluing the house, which I can see, but if the grave wasn't marked who would know?

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Musing further, I remember ages ago going to look at a house which was for sale which advertised it had "the largest table top tomb in England" in the front garden. Sure enough there was a big slab of stone on other stones there, it would have been great for having a BBQ around, although I don't know if the tomb still had an occupant.

 

[Archie_tect]

It does, although before signing up it might be worth getting a couple of quotes for the same service as a one-off purchase.

We had a Covid friendly graveside funeral for my mother last year.

My two brothers dealt with it, not least because I was unable to go.

I can't recall the cost, but I think it was less than the few thousand we were expecting.

Mother was plonked on top of father with his gravestone refurbed and amended to include her, all of which may have reduced the price.

Incidentally, there was a 'discussion' over our family plot.

Father died more than 50 years ago, and it was mother's understanding the plot next to him was reserved to us.

A contention borne out by the gap next to father, in an otherwise now full row of gravestones.

The vicar denied the arrangement, telling us 'we don't do that'.

We didn't fall out over it, but the tale does illustrate how promises and commitments can become lost over a period of time.

Which might be another reason not to pay for a funeral years in advance of death.

Local Councils administer grave plots which have to be bought in cemeteries so there is an 'owner' of the plot with records. I am the 'owner' of my dad's burial plot, which requires me to maintain it. I presume the same happens with a church burial plot.

 

[pawl]

I’m not paying in advance for something I will no nothing about or may not even use

 

[Archie_tect]

We did it as a kindness for our children, so they don't have to contact funeral directors, negotiate contracts and deal with the hassle. Having arranged all that for relatives 150 miles away when you've never done it before is something our pre-paid plans will avoid and as a one off payment with Age Concern we can forget about it and get on with enjoying ourselves! Would you like a free pen?

 

[Moodyman]

I am part of a community funeral scheme. Pay in £50 a year. Covers me, wife and kids still in full time education (incl university).

After age 25 kids have to join themselves as it's presumed they're now working.

There are circa 300* members in the scheme and four volunteers who administer it. If there are surplus deaths in a given year, the contribution may rise by £10/£20 until fund balance is restored, or reduced slightly if fund balance is surplus.

The average funeral cost round here is c. £4k. If one joins at 25 and pays until they die at 80, they pay in 55 years x £50 = £2,750. So, it's worth it.

The scheme covers all funeral costs, except flowers. Flowers were covered in the past, but some families wanted more elaborate bouquets than the scheme allowed, so flowers were removed from the scheme.

* These are 300 paying members. The actual coverage is a lot higher due to spouses and children.

 

[fossyant]

Even a basic funeral is expensive. FIL's was cremation - 20 minute quick visit, then round the corner to a local pub for a meal. All in came to over £3k and that was with maybe 30 people !

 

[byegad]

It is with some surprise that I learn it would be legal for my wife to simply bury me in the garden, next to the dog. Of course, questions might be asked if she doesn't wait until I'm dead.

There's a bunch of us ready to swear that you really, really, really (Honestly guv' he was as dead as dead could be!) were dead when she buries you.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

There's a bunch of us ready to swear that you really, really, really (Honestly guv' he was as dead as dead could be!) dead when she buries you.

Well - you were shortly afterwards anyway


to be serious - I had to arrange the funerals for my Mum and Dad - really difficult thinking of what they would have wanted - hymns or not or something - place where to bury
a right pain
Then my wife recently (before Covid) had to do the same for her Mum

Basically it would have been good if everyone arranged their own well beforehand so all the decisions are made - and it eliminates family members disagreeing - the dead person to blame for any dodgy decisions so Aunty Mabel can't moan that the hymns were wrong

And, of course, the money issues are also already sorted - although I would suggest that you check that you know EXACTLY what is covered and get it in writing in simple clear terms - then store it somewhere everyone knows about!!!

which reminds me - I keep saying I will write down how to access all our banking stuff so if I snuff it suddenly my wife will know eher the bodies are buried - sorry - money is stored - clearly no bodies are buried!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

It just so happens thqt a chum of mine runs a business hand making bio degreadeable coffins. Always assuming I go before him, thats what theyll do - dig a deep hole and chuck me in it for the worms to nosh on. No church service of the like foe me.

Ditto - both wife and I are not having funerals. Simple cremation followed by ashes on our pre-chosen spot. Each to their own but neither of us can be doing with the whole 'standard' funeral thing.

My mum did the same and my wife's sister did too. Family members were all ok with both. They did their 'own thing' in private at the exact time of the cremation eg stopped what they were doing and spared a thought, raised a glass, let off sky-bound balloons etc. All rather lovely, simplistic and appropriate.

 

[vickster]

Well - you were shortly afterwards anyway


to be serious - I had to arrange the funerals for my Mum and Dad - really difficult thinking of what they would have wanted - hymns or not or something - place where to bury
a right pain
Then my wife recently (before Covid) had to do the same for her Mum

Basically it would have been good if everyone arranged their own well beforehand so all the decisions are made - and it eliminates family members disagreeing - the dead person to blame for any dodgy decisions so Aunty Mabel can't moan that the hymns were wrong

And, of course, the money issues are also already sorted - although I would suggest that you check that you know EXACTLY what is covered and get it in writing in simple clear terms - then store it somewhere everyone knows about!!!

which reminds me - I keep saying I will write down how to access all our banking stuff so if I snuff it suddenly my wife will know eher the bodies are buried - sorry - money is stored - clearly no bodies are buried!

Don’t think you’re allowed to dump bodies in a well for fear of contaminating the water supply

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I want one of the ones where they simply pick up your body, cremate it and then send or take the ashes back to your family.

I would rather they have a get together and spend a few pounds on some food and alcohol and have a laugh about things we used to do.

Funerals are so stressful for the families and cost so much money that I would turn in my grave at all that.

Can you have a grave when you are cremated? Not really thought about that before.

 

[welsh dragon]

Can you have a grave when you are cremated? Not really thought about that before.

. Theoretically speaking I would turn in my grave or Urn

 

[SpokeyDokey]

. Theoretically speaking I would turn in my grave or Urn

OMG - I can't bear the thought of being incarcerated in an urn.

Anyway, more to the point, are you being cremated with your bloomers on?