10 Best Prepaid Cremation Plans UK: Compare Costs & Reviews

Guidance on Prepaid Funeral Plans

This article provides guidance on prepaid funeral plans so that you can understand how they work, what they cost, and how to compare providers. At Go Direct Cremations, however, we want to be absolutely clear: we do not sell prepaid funeral plans.

Why? Because we believe prepaid plans are often a false economy. The purchase and commissioning of a direct cremation is already straightforward, affordable, and transparent. In most cases, the cost of a direct cremation can simply be taken from the estate before probate, without the need for expensive and restrictive prepayment schemes.

To put this into context, the cheapest fully regulated prepaid cremation plans in the UK cost from around £1,450, with most guaranteeing the cremation fees. By contrast, Go Direct Cremations offers one of the lowest fixed-price direct cremations in the UK—without locking families into long-term instalments or unnecessary commissions. Families benefit from nationwide coverage, dignified care, and 24/7 support, all at a clear, affordable price that can be paid only when the time comes.

Below you’ll see a table of the main prepaid providers, showing headline prices, payment options, Trustpilot ratings and FCA numbers. This is provided to help you compare and understand the marketplace. Two important clarifications before you dive in:

• A prepaid funeral plan usually funds an attended funeral service.

• A prepaid direct cremation plan funds an unattended cremation.

And since July 2022, all legal funeral plans have been FCA-regulated, meaning funds are ring-fenced to protect your money.

In this guide we have reviewed the top ten prepaid plan providers by looking at:

• Price transparency

• What is genuinely included

• Hidden extras

• Reputation and Trustpilot scores

• Flexibility and clarity of the small print

This information is here to help you make an informed choice. But remember—at Go Direct Cremations, we believe the best overall value in 2025 remains a simple, fixed-price direct cremation service paid for at need, not a prepaid plan.

Points to Watch

• The plan funds an unattended cremation only; mourners cannot be present at the committal.
• Home, hospice or nursing-home collections incur a mileage-based surcharge (waived if death occurs in hospital).
• Burial is not available, so families wanting a graveside service should consider broader prepaid funeral plans instead.

If a straightforward, affordable send-off is what you’re after, Go Direct Cremations delivers it with transparency and genuine care.

2. Pure Cremation — Prepaid Direct Cremation Plan

Pure Cremation is the brand most people think of when they hear the phrase “direct cremation”. Splashy TV adverts, billboards and a jingle you can’t shake have turned this Newbury-based firm into the UK’s best-known specialist. While the name recognition adds a level of comfort for many families, it does come at a price that sits toward the upper end of the market.

Snapshot & Brand Reputation

• Established in 2015 and now handling more than 8,000 cremations a year
• 4.9 ⭐ rating on Trustpilot from 9,000+ reviews (August 2025)
• Fully FCA-authorised (FRN : 965378) with plan funds held in an independent trust
• Nationwide collection network covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The company markets itself as the hassle-free alternative to a traditional funeral: “No fuss, no funeral, just family”. That strapline resonates with cost-conscious planners and with relatives who prefer to celebrate a life later at a venue of their choosing.

Covered Services

Every Pure Cremation plan guarantees:

1. Collection of the deceased from any hospital, care home or private address in mainland GB (24 hrs).
2. Doctor’s cremation papers (£82) where required.
3. Simple cardboard-based eco coffin suitable for cremation.
4. Cremation at one of the firm’s partner crematoria, normally within 14 days of paperwork clearance.
5. Return of ashes in a biodegradable scatter tube by hand delivery or tracked courier.
6. Bereavement support line for up to six weeks after the service.

Families can add an optional web-streamed committal (10-minute slot, no mourners) for £95 if they would like a keepsake recording.

Pricing & Payment Choices

Payments stop at age 85 or on reaching the plan price, whichever comes first. Missed instalments can void the price guarantee, so set up a reliable Direct Debit.

Strengths

• Market leader: huge volume gives negotiating power on crematoria fees.
• Simple online application completed in under 10 minutes; paperwork posted within 48 hrs.
• Flexible ashes return: choose courier, personal hand-over or scatter at Daldowie Garden of Remembrance (no extra cost).
• Clear marketing and Ts & Cs make it easy for non-experts to understand what is—and isn’t—covered.

Limitations / Possible Extras

• Headline price is £300–£400 higher than some smaller providers, so it may not suit the tightest budgets.
• Out-of-hours collection (22:00–06:00) attracts a £250 surcharge, as does same-day removal from remote islands.
• Service is strictly unattended; no option to upgrade to an on-site gathering later.
• Instalment plan carries a long tail of payments: spreading costs over 12 years more than doubles the amount paid.

If brand familiarity and a slick digital sign-up trump rock-bottom pricing for you, Pure Cremation remains a solid contender among the best prepaid cremation plans in the UK.

3. Distinct Cremations — Unattended Direct Cremation Plan

Distinct Cremations is the budget-friendly offshoot of the Westerleigh Group, the company that owns and operates 40+ crematoria across the UK. By using its in-house facilities rather than hiring third-party sites, the provider keeps a tight grip on both quality and timing while passing a slice of the savings on to customers. If you want the reassurance that your plan is backed by bricks-and-mortar infrastructure—and don’t mind paying a touch more than the absolute lowest market price—this option deserves a place on your shortlist.

Company Overview

• Parent: Westerleigh Group (est. 1991), one of the UK’s largest independent crematoria owners
• FCA authorisation: FRN 972878; plan funds held in an independent whole-of-life policy
• Trustpilot: 4.8 ⭐ from 3,200+ reviews (August 2025)
• Service area: England, Wales and mainland Scotland (limited Highlands cover)
• USP: direct access to the firm’s own crematoria network, reducing third-party delays

Because the company manages everything under one roof—collection, care, cremation and ash return—families have a single point of contact and clearer timelines than with brokers who outsource each stage.

What’s Included

Every Distinct Cremations plan guarantees:

1. Transfer of the deceased from any hospital, hospice or private address in mainland GB within 24 hours of paperwork release
2. Doctor’s cremation certificates where applicable
3. Respectful care in purpose-built mortuary facilities plus a simple wood-effect coffin
4. Unattended cremation at a Westerleigh-owned site, usually within 10 working days
5. Ashes returned by hand (England & Wales) or tracked courier (Scotland) in a biodegradable urn
6. Secure online memorial page with photo gallery and condolence book
7. 24/7 telephone support for next of kin

Optional upgrades include a 20-minute witnessed committal (up to 12 mourners) for £425 and an audio or video recording for £49.

Cost & Payment Options

Instalment plans include a “freeze-the-price” promise: once the balance is cleared, no further inflation-linked charges can be added.

Pros

• Own crematoria network means fewer delays and better schedule control
• Online memorial creates a focal point for family tributes
• Upgrade path to a small attended farewell without buying a whole new plan
• Transparent paperwork written in plain English

Cons / Extra Fees

• £250 surcharge for collections between 10 pm and 6 am
• Additional mileage fee for the Scottish Highlands and remote Welsh postcodes
• Base price sits £250–£350 higher than the very cheapest small providers

If you like the idea of your plan being fulfilled by the same company that owns the crematorium—and you value the flexibility of adding a brief attended send-off later—Distinct Cremations offers a well-rounded, competitively priced package.

4. Co-op Funeralcare — Direct Cremation Plan

Co-op Funeralcare is a household name — its beehive logo has fronted British funerals for more than a century. The mutual’s direct cremation plan borrows that heritage and bolsters it with FCA regulation and a branch network larger than any other provider on this list. If you want the reassurance of bricks-and-mortar offices yet still prefer an unattended send-off, the Co-op option neatly bridges old-school credibility and the stripped-back ethos of the best prepaid cremation plans.

Snapshot

• Founded: 1844 (as part of the Co-operative movement)
• Branches: 1,000 + funeral homes across the UK
• FCA authorisation: FRN 962673; funds held in a whole-of-life policy with Royal London
• Trustpilot score: 4.7 ⭐ (12,000+ reviews, August 2025)
• Tag-line: “Care, commitment and fair pricing, guaranteed”

Because the Co-op is a member-owned mutual, any profits feed back into community initiatives rather than shareholders, a selling point for ethically minded buyers.

Plan Inclusions

A single Direct Cremation Plan guarantees:

1. 24 / 7 collection from any hospital, hospice or private address within mainland GB
2. Care of the deceased in a local Co-op mortuary, including washing and dressing on request
3. Provision of a simple wood-effect coffin (up to 6 ft 2 in × 22 in)
4. All cremation fees and doctor’s certificate
5. Ashes scattered in a Co-op garden of remembrance or collected in person by the family
6. Completion of statutory paperwork and liaison with the coroner or registrar
7. Ongoing advice line for executors

Viewings are not included but can be arranged at the local branch for £150.

Pricing Structure

Miss two instalments and the plan may lapse, so Direct Debit is compulsory. Age limits apply: lump-sum up to 80, instalments up to 75.

Why Consider Co-op

• Face-to-face support: book an appointment at any branch to discuss paperwork or ask questions.
• Price promise: once paid, the Co-op absorbs any future rise in cremation fees.
• Mutual ethics: no external shareholders, surplus reinvested in community projects.
• Transferable: if you move within the UK, simply switch to a nearer Co-op branch at no cost.

For families nervous about buying online from a little-known outfit, the recognisable brand and high-street presence offer strong peace of mind.

Caveats

• One of the highest headline prices in this round-up; roughly £300 more than Go Direct Cremations.
• £250 surcharge for collections outside standard hours (10 pm – 6 am) or more than 25 miles from a Co-op hub.
• Instalment plans incur an arrangement fee plus interest after 12 months, nudging the total close to £2,000.
• Plan is strictly unattended; upgrading to an attended funeral means cancelling and buying a different plan.

Bottom line: Co-op Funeralcare’s Direct Cremation Plan trades rock-bottom pricing for brand heft and branch-based service. If you value in-person guidance and are comfortable paying a premium, it remains a dependable fixture among the best prepaid cremation plans in the UK.

5. Aura Life — Five-Star Prepaid Direct Cremation Plan

Aura Life is the new kid on the block that has shot straight into the “best prepaid cremation plans” conversation thanks to slick digital sign-up, transparent costs and thousands of glowing reviews. If you’re comfortable organising everything on your phone and you like the idea of extras such as free will-writing thrown in, Aura deserves a close look.

Company & Ethos

Launched in 2021 by a group of tech-savvy funeral directors, Aura Life set out to strip away paperwork and jargon without cutting corners on care. The firm is fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 979241) and ring-fences client money in an independently managed trust. It trades 100 % online and through a UK-based call centre, keeping overheads low and service standards high. At the time of writing, Aura holds a 4.9 ⭐ Trustpilot score from more than 4,000 verified reviews, many praising its clear communication and compassionate staff.

Services Covered

Every Aura prepaid direct cremation plan guarantees:

• 2-person professional collection from anywhere in mainland England, Wales or Scotland, 24 / 7
• Preparation and respectful care in a modern mortuary facility
• Hand-finished, FSC-certified wood-effect coffin (no cardboard)
• All cremation fees, including the doctor’s £82 medical certificate
• Personal courier return of ashes in a biodegradable urn within 14 days, or free scattering in a partner garden of remembrance
• Unlimited access to a bereavement counselling helpline for the family

Optional paid extras include premium designer urns and a private web-streamed committal (£75).

Cost & Payment

There is no surcharge for the doctor’s form or oversized coffins up to 6 ft 4 in / 23 stone, and instalments are accepted up to age 80.

Strengths

• Five-star customer feedback and plain-English documents
• Free digital or printed will worth £99 with every plan
• No hidden medical fee or out-of-hours collection charge
• User-friendly dashboard lets you update next-of-kin details in seconds

Limitations

• Service is unattended only; you can’t upgrade to an on-site ceremony later
• Brand is newer, so some may still prefer a century-old name for peace of mind
• Coverage excludes Northern Ireland and the smaller UK islands
• Tech-first approach may feel impersonal if you prefer face-to-face meetings

Aura Life proves that modern, online-led providers can match (and sometimes beat) the old guard on both price and compassion, making it a smart contender in any shortlist of the UK’s best prepaid cremation plans.

6. Fosters Funeral Directors — Direct Cremation Pre-paid Plan

If you live north of the border and have been Googling the best prepaid cremation plans, you’ll almost certainly bump into Fosters Funeral Directors. The family–run Scottish firm shouts about offering the “best price in Scotland” and, for once, the marketing stacks up: its direct cremation plan comes in well below many England-based rivals while still giving you FCA-regulated protection.

Company Snapshot

Founded in Glasgow in 2005, Fosters has grown to 25+ branches and its own purpose-built crematorium near Stirling. Being both funeral director and crematoria owner means it can keep a tight rein on standards and costs. Client funds are held in a whole-of-life policy overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority, so your money is ring-fenced until it’s needed.

Key facts:

• Family-owned, not part of a national chain
• 4.8 ⭐ Trustpilot rating (1,900+ reviews, Aug 2025)
• Service area: Scotland for viewings, collection across Great Britain
• 24/7 phoneline answered by trained funeral arrangers, not a call centre robot

Plan Coverage

A single Fosters Direct Cremation Plan guarantees:

1. Collection of the deceased from any hospital within 50 miles of a Fosters branch (home or nursing-home pick-ups attract a mileage fee outside that radius).
2. Care in Fosters’ mortuary, including washing and preparation.
3. Simple wood-effect coffin supplied as standard (oversize up to 23 stone at no extra cost).
4. Cremation at Fosters’ own Clyde Coast & Garnock Valley Crematorium.
5. Official certificate of cremation issued to the next of kin.
6. Ashes either scattered in the garden of remembrance or collected by appointment.

Family members may book a private viewing in the on-site chapel of rest for £150.

Price & Payments

Instalments accepted up to age 80; the price is locked once the balance is cleared.

Highlights

• Hard-to-beat Scottish pricing: roughly £300 cheaper than the national average.
• Family ethos: dealings are with local staff who often live in the same community.
• Flexibility: optional chapel viewing lets relatives pay respects before the unattended cremation.
• No doctor’s fee surcharge: the plan absorbs the mandatory £82 certificate cost.

Watch-outs

• Mileage supplements kick in beyond the 50-mile collection zone and for remote islands.
• Viewings only in Scotland; if the deceased is cared for at an English partner mortuary, visiting isn’t possible.
• Unattended only: those wanting a service at the crematorium must purchase an upgraded “attended” plan.

All told, Fosters offers outstanding value for Scots seeking a stripped-back farewell, and remains competitive for the rest of Great Britain once you factor in its transparent pricing and in-house facilities.

7. Avalon Funeral Plans — Cremation-Only Plan

Avalon has been selling funeral plans for more than 30 years and is best known for helping Brits who retire abroad. Its “Cremation-Only” package strips out the ceremony but keeps the global flexibility that made the brand famous, so it can suit expats who expect to move again before the plan is needed. Although the headline cost sits in the middle of the market, Avalon’s multi-jurisdiction expertise and well-capitalised trust give it a place in any long-list of the best prepaid cremation plans.

Overview

• Founded 1993, now operating in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and the Netherlands
• FCA-authorised (FRN 965286) — client money held in an independent trust with quarterly actuarial review
• 4.7 ⭐ Trustpilot rating from 5,000+ reviews (Aug 2025)
• Multilingual customer service team familiar with UK and EU death certification rules
• Choice of four plan tiers; “Cremation-Only” is the cheapest and most comparable to other direct cremation products in this guide

Because the company owns support offices in popular expat regions, next of kin can deal with an Avalon employee rather than a local agent if the death occurs overseas.

What the Cremation Plan Includes

1. Removal of the deceased from any hospital, hospice or home in mainland UK (24 / 7)
2. Care in a licenced mortuary and a simple wood-effect coffin
3. All cremation and doctor’s fees, plus completion of statutory paperwork or liaison with the coroner
4. Return of ashes by tracked courier within the UK, or scattering in the partner garden of remembrance
5. 24-hour helpline for family, including guidance on death registration abroad if needed

A separate “European Repatriation Upgrade” (£295) can be bolted on at purchase, guaranteeing transport back to the UK should death occur in an eligible EU country.

Costs & How to Pay

Missed instalments are protected by a 60-day grace period, after which the plan may lapse or be converted to a paid-up value.

Pros

• Strong financial backing and cross-border infrastructure
• Portability: keep the same plan if you move to Spain, Portugal, Cyprus or the Netherlands
• Repatriation bolt-on cheaper than buying standalone cover later
• Telephone and face-to-face support available in both the UK and selected EU resorts

Cons

• Higher admin fees than most rivals; pushes monthly totals close to £2,000 for long instalment terms
• Plan documentation thicker and more legalistic than plainer-English competitors
• 12-month moratorium on death by pre-existing conditions for pay-monthly customers — if the planholder dies before that, only the money paid in is returned
• No option to witness the cremation; attended services require purchase of a different (costlier) plan

Avalon’s Cremation-Only Plan offers a niche advantage for people who may retire overseas, but UK-based buyers focused purely on upfront cost can find cheaper, simpler options elsewhere.

8. Choice Funeral Plans — Simple Cremation Plan

Choice Funeral Plans sits under the Dignity Plc umbrella, so although the brand name may feel new, the people behind it have organised well over half-a-million funerals. The “Simple Cremation Plan” is their stripped-back, unattended option. It’s pitched at families who want a big-company safety net but don’t need a chapel service on the day. Below we break down what you get for your money, how the costs stack up, and the key reasons it earns a spot in our round-up of the best prepaid cremation plans.

Company Background

• Parent company: Dignity Plc, one of the UK’s largest funeral groups
• FCA authorisation number: 965284 (client funds held in an independent whole-of-life policy)
• Network: 700+ funeral homes and 46 owned crematoria across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Trustpilot: 4.6 ⭐ from c.4,300 reviews (Aug 2025)

Because Dignity owns both the funeral homes and many of the crematoria, Choice can promise a single chain of custody. That vertical integration also lets them schedule cremations quicker than brokers who rely on third-party sites.

Plan Benefits & Coverage

A Choice Simple Cremation Plan guarantees:

1. 24/7 professional collection from any hospital, hospice or private address in mainland UK
2. Care of the deceased in a local Dignity mortuary, including identification checks and preparation
3. Provision of a simple wood-effect coffin (up to 6 ft 2 in × 22 in)
4. Statutory doctor’s fees (£82) and all crematorium charges
5. Unattended cremation at a Dignity-owned facility, usually within 10 working days
6. Ashes hand-delivered to the family within 21 days or respectfully scattered in the garden of remembrance
7. Executor helpline covering paperwork, probate basics and Government Tell-Us-Once guidance

Viewings are not included but can be arranged at the local branch for £175.

Pricing

• Age limits: apply up to 78 for instalments, 84 for lump-sum
• Missed instalments: 60-day grace period, then the plan may lapse or switch to paid-up value
• No interest is charged, but the administration fee pushes the total above headline price on long terms

Advantages

• Nationwide reach: one of the largest physical networks, handy if you relocate within the UK
• Single supplier: collection, care and cremation all handled by Dignity staff
• Hand return of ashes included, a nice touch compared with courier-only rivals
• Price guarantee: once the plan is paid, the family will never be asked for more

Drawbacks

• Highest base cost in this list – around £500 dearer than Go Direct Cremations
• £250 surcharge for collections between 10 pm and 6 am or more than 25 miles from a branch
• Pay-monthly age cap of 78 limits options for older applicants
• Viewings, oversized coffins and pacemaker removal are all billed as extras

Choice Funeral Plans delivers big-brand reassurance and doorstep service, but you’ll pay a noticeable premium for those comforts. We recommend weighing the added convenience against the extra pounds before hitting “buy”.

9. COL Funeral Plans — Fully-Inclusive Direct Cremation Plan

COL (Compassion Over Loss) keeps things refreshingly straightforward: one flat price, one set of documents, no confusing add-ons. That stripped-back approach has put the brand on plenty of “best prepaid cremation plans” shortlists even though it costs a shade more than the budget leaders. If you value simplicity and want to know the bill can never creep up later, COL’s single-tier plan is worth a look.

Who They Are

Founded in 2018 by a group of independent funeral directors tired of opaque pricing, COL is fully authorised by the FCA (FRN 972912). Client money is paid into an independently managed whole-of-life policy, audited annually, so the funds are ring-fenced until needed. The company trades online and through a small UK call centre; there are no high-street branches or commission-based agents, which helps keep overheads under control. Trustpilot shows a 4.8 ⭐ rating from just over 1,100 reviews (August 2025), with customers praising “clear language and zero pressure”.

What’s Included

Every COL Fully-Inclusive Direct Cremation Plan guarantees:

1. 24/7 collection from any hospital, care home or private address in England, Wales or mainland Scotland
2. Doctor’s cremation certificate (£82) and all crematorium fees
3. FSC-certified eco-coffin suitable for persons up to 6 ft 3 in / 23 stone (oversize +£150)
4. Respectful care in licensed mortuary facilities until the cremation date
5. Unattended cremation at a partner crematorium within 14 days of paperwork clearance
6. Ashes either scattered in a garden of remembrance or courier-delivered to the family in a biodegradable urn
7. Plain-English document pack mailed to the purchaser and next of kin, plus a digital copy stored in the client portal

There is no option for witnesses or chapel viewings, keeping the service firmly “direct”.

Pricing & Payment

Payments can start up to age 80. If death occurs before the balance is cleared, COL either fulfils the plan at no extra cost (after 12 months of payments) or refunds money paid in.

Strengths

• One transparent package with everything essential included
• Written materials are short, jargon-free and arrive within 48 hours
• Interest-free instalments spread up to five years, useful for cash-flow planning
• FCA regulation and annual independent audits provide financial peace of mind

Considerations

• Headline price sits £350–£450 higher than the cheapest providers in this guide
• Limited personalisation: no attended upgrade, web-stream or keepsake recordings
• Oversize coffin and bariatric collection incur added fees, so check dimensions up-front
• Service area excludes Northern Ireland and UK islands, so island families must look elsewhere

If you like the idea of locking in all the core costs under one clear figure and don’t need bells and whistles, COL offers a dependable, low-stress way to pre-arrange a direct cremation.

10. Funerals With Grace — Affordable Direct Cremation Plan

Looking for the best prepaid cremation plans on a tight budget? Funerals With Grace positions itself as the friendly neighbourhood option: a small, family-run provider that keeps overheads lean and passes the savings straight to families. The plan is FCA-regulated, all money is ring-fenced in an independent whole-of-life policy, and you get real humans on the phone 24/7 rather than a scripted call-centre queue.

Company Snapshot

• Established 2019 by two former hospice nurses who wanted “care before commerce”
• FCA authorisation number : 979 112
• 4.8 ⭐ Trustpilot score from 850+ verified reviews (August 2025)
• Service area: England & Wales as standard, limited cover in mainland Scotland on request
• Family members remain the primary point of contact from first call to ash return

Inclusions

Each Funerals With Grace plan guarantees:

1. Removal of the deceased from any hospital, hospice or private address, 24 / 7, by two uniformed staff.
2. Professional care and refrigeration in the company’s own mortuary near Gloucester.
3. Standard coffin (wood-effect MDF) for persons up to 6 ft 3 in / 22 stone.
4. All cremation fees and the doctor’s medical certificate (£82) where applicable.
5. Ashes hand-delivered anywhere in England & Wales within 14 days, or respectfully scattered at the partner garden of remembrance.
6. Telephone support for executors, including help with Tell Us Once and DWP funeral expense claims.

A 15-minute witnessed committal (up to six mourners) can be added at purchase for £350.

Costs

Extras: bariatric coffin (+£195), pacemaker removal (+£95), collections north of Perth (+£150). NHS and Blue Light Card holders receive a £50 discount on the lump-sum price.

Why It Stands Out

• Sharp pricing: often the cheapest fully-regulated option south of Birmingham.
• Personal ash delivery: a staff member, not a courier, hands the urn to the family.
• Optional upgrade path lets you add a short, attended farewell without buying a new plan.
• Compassion-first culture: founders routinely join collections if the family needs extra emotional support.

Potential Downsides

• Geographic limits: only ad-hoc coverage in remote Scottish postcodes and none in Northern Ireland or island communities.
• Lower brand recognition than nationwide chains, which may worry cautious shoppers.
• Weight surcharges apply above 22 stone, so confirm dimensions early.
• No high-street branches: everything is arranged by phone or online, which may not suit everyone.

Overall, Funerals With Grace delivers a mix of empathetic service and wallet-friendly pricing, earning its place in our round-up of the UK’s best prepaid cremation plans.

Key Takeaways on Prepaid Cremation Plans

• A fully-regulated prepaid direct cremation typically costs £1,150 – £1,700 in 2025. The figure creeps up when you add urgent home collection, bariatric coffins or long-term instalments.
• Check the provider’s FCA authorisation number and ask where the money is held. Reputable firms use an independent trust or whole-of-life policy so your funds are ring-fenced if they ever go bust.
• Read the small print: is each item “guaranteed” or merely an “allowance” that could run out? Cremation fees, doctor’s papers and ash return should be locked in, not subject to inflation.
• Understand the refund and cancellation window—most plans offer a 30-day cooling-off period, after which sliding penalties apply.
• A prepaid direct cremation suits families who plan a separate celebration later; if you want mourners present at the crematorium, look at attended funeral plans instead.

Ready to compare quotes? Start with the transparent flat-fee plan from Go Direct Cremations and see how the others measure up.