Co-op Funeral Plans Review
- 5 plans to choose from
- Prices range from £1,350 to £4,210
- Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Instalments with full cover after 12 months*
Coop funeral plans are provided by Co-op Funeralcare, one of the UK’s largest and most well-known funeral providers. With their network of Co-op owned and associated funeral directors, they plan and carry out funeral services throughout the UK.
Once you have read the Co op funeral plan review, you can see how they compare with other FCA regulated plan providers, or read the rest of our prepaid funeral plan reviews.
Who is Co-op Funeralcare?
Co-op Funeralcare is the largest Funeral Director in the UK with more than 1,000 funeral homes across the country. They have been providing funeral services for more than 80 years in addition to banking, insurance, legal services and food.
What prepaid funeral plans do Co-op offer?
Co op Funeralcare offer 4 traditional funeral plans that include a funeral service and a direct cremation plan from £1,350 to £4,210:
- Simple funeral plan
- Bronze funeral plan
- Silver funeral plan
- Gold funeral plan
- Direct Cremation
Cooperative direct cremation plan - without a funeral service
This plan was launched in Q1 2024 and is the Co-ops cheapest plan.
Like most direct cremation plans, it is a cremation only with no service. The cremation will take place at a time of the Coop's choosing and the ashes can be collected from a Coop branch or scattered in the garden of remembrance.
Co-op funeral plans – with a funeral service
Simple funeral plan – This Co-op funeral plan offers a simple cremation or burial funeral with some limitations.
It includes the funeral directors help and guidance with the documentation; use of the chapel of rest, funeral services on the day, a basic coffin, a fixed cortege route and a contribution of £850 towards defined third party fees.
The main limitations of the simple plan are that the date, time and location of the funeral are restricted and Co-op choose the type of vehicle used to transport the deceased to the service.
Bronze funeral plan – as with all Co-op funeral plans, this option fully guarantees the funeral director’s services as listed and includes an allowance to help with third party costs for a cremation or burial funeral.
It includes the funeral director’s help and guidance with the documentation; use of the chapel of rest, funeral services on the day, a wood effect coffin, a fixed cortege route, a hearse and a contribution of £1,000 towards defined third party fees.
This plan also restricts the date and time of the funeral but not the location.
Silver funeral plan – In addition to the director’s services as listed, this Co op funeral plan also covers defined third party costs.
It includes the funeral director’s help and guidance with the documentation; use of the chapel of rest, funeral services on the day; a wood effect coffin, a flexible cortege route, a hearse, one limousine and defined third party fees guaranteed for a cremation or burial funeral.
None of the Co-op funeral plans include or contribute to a burial plot.
Gold funeral plan – This is the Co-op Funeralcare’s most comprehensive funeral plan.
It includes the funeral director’s help and guidance with the documentation; use of the chapel of rest, funeral services on the day; a wood veneer coffin, a flexible cortege route, a hearse, two limousines and defined third party fees guaranteed for a cremation or burial funeral.
What are defined third party costs?
Third party costs, often referred to as disbursements are essential costs that are not controlled by the funeral director, namely the cremation or burial fees, interment fees and the minister or officiant’s fees. (doesn’t include the doctor’s fees).
Co-op Simple and Bronze funeral plans include an allowance towards these costs, they do not guarantee them. The allowance included in the plan will grow as it increases in line with CPI, however if there are insufficient funds available to cover the defined third party costs when the time comes, there will be more to pay.
Co-op Funeralcare funeral plan need to knows
In addition to looking at the benefits of a prepaid funeral, it’s worth reviewing the possible drawbacks too. Here we look at the advantages and disadvantages of a Co-op funeral plan to help you consider if it’s the best funeral plan for you.
Benefits
- 5 plans to choose from
- All funeral plans guarantee the funeral director’s services as listed
- 2 plans guarantee defined third party costs, 2 include an allowance
- Collection of the deceased within a 50 mile radius, 24 hours a day
- Wide network of Co op owned and associated funeral directors throughout the UK
- Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Can be used for either cremation or burial
- Flexibility to personalise the plan and add additional services (extra cost)
- You can spread the cost over 6 or 12 months without incurring additional fees
- If you pay by instalments, the services as detailed in the plan will be provided after 12 months with nothing more to pay (as long as you pay your monthly premiums when due)
- Plan prices are discounted for Co op members
Important to know
- There could be more to pay for third party costs when the time comes
- All instalment plans greater than 12 months incur additional charges
- If you die within the first 12 months of an instalment plan, you won’t be covered for the services included in the plan. Instead, as long as your payments are up to date, the person arranging the funeral can either pay the balance so Co-op can provide the services, or cancel the plan to get a full refund.
- You have to use a Co-op associated funeral director
- Doctor’s fees if required are not included in any of the plans
- You could pay more for collection if outside the 50 mile radius
- Doesn’t include additional funeral costs such as flowers, a memorial, orders of service or the wake
- Plans do not include the cost of a burial plot
Coop funeral plan reviews by their customers
Coop funeral plans are reviewed by customers on the independent review website Trustpilot. They have a rating of 3.2 out of 5 for customer experience.
Coop funeral plan reviews by the industry
In addition to customer reviews, Co-op Funeralcare have been reviewed by independent researcher of financial products Defaqto, Fairer Finance and consumer champion Which?.
What happens to my money with Co-op funeralcare?
Co-op Funeral Plans Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your money is held in a whole of life insurance policy with The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society (Royal London) until it’s required to pay for your funeral services.
Should any issues arise, you have the added support and protection of both the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the Financial Services Ombudsman.
How can I pay for a Co-op funeral plan?
You can pay for a Coop funeral plan either in one go or by monthly instalments. Co-op members receive a discount of between £75 to £125, depending on the plan they choose. Here’s how each payment option works:
Single Payment
One of the cheapest ways to pay for a Co-op funeral plan as you don’t incur any additional fees. You can also spread your payments over 6 or 12 months and the cost will be the same.
Monthly Instalments
Co-op monthly funeral plans are available with instalments spanning 2 to 25 years. A minimum deposit is required and you will incur additional instalment fees.
As long as your payments are up to date, you are covered for the services included in the plan after 12 months (unless death is as a result of an accident, in which case you are covered immediately). So, if you were to die after this period but before all your instalments have been fully paid, Co-op Funeralcare will provide the services included in the plan without charging your family.
Am I eligible for a Co-op Funeralcare prepaid funeral plan?
You are eligible for a Co op funeral plan if you are at least 18 years of age and live in the UK.
On instalment plans, payments must be completed by your 80th birthday which may limit the terms available to you.
Can I choose either a burial or cremation service?
All Co op funeral plans can be used for either cremation or burial. The Simple and Bronze plans include an allowance towards the defined third party costs whereas the Silver and Gold plans include a guarantee.
Can I cancel my plan?
When you apply for a Co op prepaid funeral plan you have a 30-day free cancellation period. So you have time to review the details and if it doesn’t suit you, cancel the plan to receive a full refund.
If you pay in full or over 6 or 12 months and cancel your Co op funeral plan after the initial 30 day period, a cancellation fee of £125 will apply.
If you pay by instalments between 2 and 25 years and cancel within 12 months, you will receive a full refund of any money paid. After this period, the £125 cancelation fee will apply.
Who will my funeral director be?
You can choose which funeral director you would like from their network of Co op owned and associated funeral directors when you buy the plan.
What happens to my funeral plan if I move home?
If you move home in the UK, your Coop funeral plan moves with you at no extra cost.
What should I do now?
My review of Coop Funeral Plans is designed to help you compare plans and find the best option for you. I would always recommend that you review all of your options to ensure you’re getting the best deal that suits your budget and needs.
Now you have read the Coop funeral plan review, you may want to:
- Compare funeral plans with other FCA regulated providers
- See how other companies compare with our funeral plan reviews
- Find out more about simple funeral plan with our guide to direct cremation
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