I've paid for a funeral plan. How will my family know?

The important question

You’ve arranged and paid for a funeral plan. You’ve taken an important step towards making things easier for your family.

But what if nobody knows it exists?

It’s a simple question, and one that could make all the difference when those arrangements are needed most.

Many people arrange their funeral in advance to spare loved ones difficult decisions and financial uncertainty. But making arrangements and making sure someone knows about them are two different things.

A funeral plan is only helpful if someone knows it’s there

Imagine your family making funeral arrangements without knowing you already have a plan. They might contact funeral directors, discuss costs and make decisions, unaware of what you arranged.

A prepaid funeral plan may help with some funeral costs, but what’s included depends on your provider and the plan you bought. Even a carefully chosen plan needs to be found when it’s required.

The simplest next step? Tell someone you trust that your plan exists.

Five details your family should know

You don’t need to share every private document or financial detail. Start with these essentials.

1. 01

   Who provides your plan?

   Record the full name of the company administering it. This might not be the business that originally sold it.

2. 02

   What is the reference number?

   Keep your plan number securely with the relevant paperwork. It can help the provider locate your arrangements.

3. 03

   Where are the documents?

   Whether they are in a folder, filing cabinet or secure digital record, make sure the right person knows where to look.

4. 04

   What does the plan cover?

   Note what is included, possible extra expenses and whether any instalments remain outstanding.

5. 05

   Who should your family contact?

   Keep the provider’s contact information and, where relevant, details of the associated funeral director. Review them occasionally.

Do I really need to talk about it now?

Talking about death isn’t always easy. But letting someone know you have made arrangements doesn’t have to become a difficult conversation.

“I’ve arranged a funeral plan so there’s one less thing for you to worry about in the future. I just want you to know it exists and where I’ve kept the details.”

Choose someone you trust who is likely to help with the arrangements. You can keep a copy with your will or other important documents, but don’t rely on a will being found or read before funeral arrangements begin.

A little preparation now could make a difficult time that bit easier.

What if someone has died and we can’t find their plan?

If you believe someone had a prepaid funeral plan, start by checking paperwork and correspondence you’re legally entitled to access. Look for the provider’s name, a reference number or the name of a funeral director.

If you know the provider, contact it directly. It may need evidence of identity or authority before discussing the plan.

If you don’t know the provider, the National Association of Funeral Plan Providers (NAFPP) offers a free Find My Plan service. It shares enquiries with participating providers to help trace lost plans. It cannot guarantee that every plan will be found.

If a company named on older documents no longer trades, the NAFPP also offers a Find My Provider service. Remember that a prepaid funeral plan and an over-50s life insurance policy are different products, so tracing them may involve different organisations.

If funeral arrangements are already underway, tell the funeral director that you believe an existing plan may be in place.

Is my funeral plan protected?

Prepaid funeral plan providers have been regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since 29 July 2022. The FCA explains how to check a provider’s authorisation and permissions.

Eligible plans with authorised providers may qualify for Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection if the provider fails. Check the relevant conditions and your own plan terms.

It’s about more than a funeral plan

There may also be insurance policies, important documents, contact details, practical wishes and other arrangements you have put in place.

Would your family know which companies to contact? Where to find important information? What you had already arranged?

Because making arrangements is one thing. Making sure the people you love know about them is another.