[Misc] Funeral directors ripping it up.

[LamieRobertson]

Talking to relatives and friends. When you get to 70, and attend five or so funerals a year, it is something that is talked about amongst peers.

Right ...don’t you find though that people have different requirements...number of cars ..type of coffin etc...i’m Not so sure I would be bold enough to say it increases a grand a year on exactly the same ...if so I might start digging over the back garden

Suggests much lower but an up trend
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....lutions/funeral-plans/funeral-costs-soar/amp/

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Right ...don’t you find though that people have different requirements...number of cars ..type of coffin etc...i’m Not so sure I would be bold enough to say it increases a grand a year on exactly the same ...if so I might start digging over the back garden

That's for the basic cremation, coffin and one car. Obviously there are extras.

The above article, although published in the Guardian, is in most papers. It's the marketing Watchdog who have picked up on the 68% price rises.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I am paying for my funeral in advance. The price of funerals is rising at a rate of £1,000 a year, and some people are having to crowd fund funerals as there isn't an insurance provided.

I'm not sure what you mean by that? There are plenty of Guaranteed Over 50s plans now where you will be accepted without a medical and the whole intention is to cover funeral costs - either as the main provision of the policy or with a specific funeral plan rider. These policies do not have a "value" and in the past have been criticised because you can pay in more than you get back but the latest legislation ensures that the point at which you pay over what you get back is shown very clearly in the sale documents.

Another big vote for Lenny here. In 2013 a family friend died in horrible circumstances in his mid thirties when his wife was less than a month away from having their third child. His firm handled the funeral arrangements which were first class and very sympathetic.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Right ...don’t you find though that people have different requirements...number of cars ..type of coffin etc...i’m Not so sure I would be bold enough to say it increases a grand a year on exactly the same ...if so I might start digging over the back garden

Suggests much lower but an up trend
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....lutions/funeral-plans/funeral-costs-soar/amp/

That survey seems to have been done by Sunlife who sell insurance policies. I would have thought the marketing watchdog was a more accurate report.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

The problem being that the 'customer' ( I use the term lightly ) is in a state of emotional distress when arranging the funeral. Therefore, combined with all the other things to deal with at such a time, they are unlikely to shop around. Funeral's, IMO, do seem ridiculously expensive and the investigation can only bring good results. Maybe there should be some sort of comparison site ?

For me, I'm deciding between two options :

1. Donate my body to medical science and have a memorial service. My grandfather did this. It will at least save on lots of the costs and I might actually do some good when dead !

2. A natural burial. Cardboard box under a tree - here --> https://www.claytonwood.co.uk

I'd rather I could put a grand behind a bar for the wake than in a undertakers pocket ..... sorry Lenny Rider !

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I'm not sure what you mean by that? There are plenty of Guaranteed Over 50s plans now where you will be accepted without a medical and the whole intention is to cover funeral costs - either as the main provision of the policy or with a specific funeral plan rider. These policies do not have a "value" and in the past have been criticised because you can pay in more than you get back but the latest legislation ensures that the point at which you pay over what you get back is shown very clearly in the sale documents.

Another big vote for Lenny here. In 2013 a family friend died in horrible circumstances in his mid thirties when his wife was less than a month away from having their third child. His firm handled the funeral arrangements which were first class and very sympathetic.

I have an over 50 insurance policy, which was enough when I took it out. Now it would only cover half of what is needed, which is why I now have a funeral plan.
The insurance policy can cover the extras if my children want them.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

The problem being that the 'customer' ( I use the term lightly ) is in a state of emotional distress when arranging the funeral. Therefore, combined with all the other things to deal with at such a time, they are unlikely to shop around. Funeral's, IMO, do seem ridiculously expensive and the investigation can only bring good results. Maybe there should be some sort of comparison site ?

For me, I'm deciding between two options :

1. Donate my body to medical science and have a memorial service. My grandfather did this. It will at least save on lots of the costs and I might actually do some good when dead !

2. A natural burial. Cardboard box under a tree - here --> https://www.claytonwood.co.uk

I'd rather I could put a grand behind a bar for the wake than in a undertakers pocket ..... sorry Lenny Rider !

1 Donating your body for medical science is ok, but they sometimes get refused. I've also heard that when they've finished getting their data, the cadaver is handed back to the family for disposal.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

I've also heard that when they've finished getting their data, the cadaver is handed back to the family for disposal.

Not true - you have a choice of getting the body back or it being 'disposed' for you.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Not true - you have a choice of getting the body back or it being 'disposed' for you.

Ok, fair enough.

 

[dazzer6666]

1 Donating your body for medical science is ok, but they sometimes get refused. I've also heard that when they've finished getting their data, the cadaver is handed back to the family for disposal.

I've been looking into this recently - some good info here (including disposal)

https://www.hta.gov.uk/donating-your-body

 

[maltaseagull]

I was going to post that it's a dying trade but thought it would be in bad taste.
Then again .....................

 

[portlock seagull]

I am paying for my funeral in advance. The price of funerals is rising at a rate of £1,000 a year, and some people are having to crowd fund funerals as there isn't an insurance provided.
It's ok if you're on benefits but many people, now, are having to have paupers funerals.

To be fair to the funeral directors, crematoria are putting their prices up all the time.
Is the Downs Crematorium still owned by Americans?

Like most things in life, if you don’t plan...I’m being a hypocrite myself because I’ve not done my will, started a funeral plan etc. Bit like my car which was written off by some oink who didn’t stop leaving me massively out of pocket - I was quite happy with my old car and now have to find several thousand to replace. Fiddlesticks! But yes, I should have been putting something away for this day. I didn’t. And now reaping the cost of this unexpected turn of events. Just like a funeral. Only got self to blame, I don’t see it as anyone else’s problem. I could have planned better, maybe I’ll learn from this experience and a start funeral plan sooner rather than later cause none of us known when Mr GRs going to invite us out!!

 

[portlock seagull]

I was going to post that it's a dying trade but thought it would be in bad taste.
Then again .....................

Love it! Pretty sure it’s not a new joke to those in the industry who’ve probably got more gags than a star line up at the Apollo (but would never dare utter in this day and age especially!)

 

[CheeseRolls]

Being a funeral director has to be one of the least trust worthy proffessions on this planet.

About time they are being investigated.

https://www.theguardian.com/busines...-industry-under-investigation-high-prices-cma

I count myself as fortunate that I haven't really had any direct dealings with the profession yet.

One major factor in rising costs has been cremation costs, associated with clear air policies and statutory guidance published in 2012. Lots of new and expensive equipment has been needed.

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

I fancy this place, actually just asked for a brochure...

https://www.claytonwood.co.uk/

 

[Fungus]

Lenny handled my Mum's funeral brilliantly and looked after me over the payment for it too. One of life's good guys...

Yeah, his firm did a great job for my mum and dad's funerals.

 

[dazzer6666]

I fancy this place, actually just asked for a brochure...

https://www.claytonwood.co.uk/

Nice site at the foot of the Downs.........certainly the kind of thing I might do.

Re humour, my mother used to work for a funeral director (not in the business, but caring for his elderly mother). He and his staff had the driest senses of humour you could find, very funny guys to speak to.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I fancy this place, actually just asked for a brochure...

https://www.claytonwood.co.uk/

Booked already

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

There are plenty of Guaranteed Over 50s plans now where you will be accepted without a medical and the whole intention is to cover funeral costs - either as the main provision of the policy or with a specific funeral plan rider. These policies do not have a "value" and in the past have been criticised because you can pay in more than you get back but the latest legislation ensures that the point at which you pay over what you get back is shown very clearly in the sale documents.

Over 50s Funeral Plans would appear to be the next PPI Claims nice little earner for wise guys, judging by the way they get heavily touted on daytime telly.

 

[Goldstone1976]

The problem being that the 'customer' ( I use the term lightly ) is in a state of emotional distress when arranging the funeral. Therefore, combined with all the other things to deal with at such a time, they are unlikely to shop around. Funeral's, IMO, do seem ridiculously expensive and the investigation can only bring good results. Maybe there should be some sort of comparison site ?

For me, I'm deciding between two options :

1. Donate my body to medical science and have a memorial service. My grandfather did this. It will at least save on lots of the costs and I might actually do some good when dead !

2. A natural burial. Cardboard box under a tree - here --> https://www.claytonwood.co.uk

I'd rather I could put a grand behind a bar for the wake than in a undertakers pocket ..... sorry Lenny Rider !

Or... just get buried in your garden. Check that the grave isn't too close* to waterways, get some mates around to dig the hole, do some very easy paperwork, job's a good'un. The good lady Doctor her indoors' father is buried in the garden of the house she was raised in.

Of course, it might affect the price of the house when it comes to be sold, but if that's not something that bothers you, it's got to be the cheapest way.

Not for me - but it is an option that hardly anyone thinks about.

* defined by the Environment Agency. 50m is the maximum distance - that's for a well/spring.