Prepaid Funeral Plans in the West Midlands

As an independently owned funeral director, we’ll take the time to understand your wishes andtailor a plan to suit you. We can discuss these at our premises or in your home, at a time that isconvenient for you. If you’d prefer to discuss this over the phone or via email, we can assist with thistoo. You can tell us about any preferences you have in mind – the type of funeral you would like tohave, hymns, music or any other personal touches – and we’ll make sure your plan takes these intoaccount.

Our funeral director’s services will be covered in your funeral plan, which means our fees will be fixed at today’s prices and protected against rising costs. These services typically include:

• Professional services and making arrangements for the funeral
• Transportation of the deceased from the place of death to our premises, chapel of rest or
  other suitable location
• Care of the deceased and preparations for family viewing if requested
• Advice on the certification and registration of death and related documentation
• Provision of funeral vehicles
• Advice on bereavement counselling
• Coffin or casket requested

Although a pre-paid funeral plan can cover all of the services above, there are some additional third party costs to consider. These are the costs for essential, non-funeral director services required to carry out a cremation or burial which need to be paid at the time of the funeral. These costs are outside our control. Depending on the plan type chosen, a Golden Charter funeral plan can include a contribution towards some third party costs. They may include:

• Crematorium fee
• Minister or officiant’s fee
• Cemetery fee: the opening of a new or existing grave for burial or interment of cremated remains

Other third party costs that may be associated with a funeral include:

• Purchase of grave or lair
• Hire of church or other venue
• Fees for organist or soloist
• Memorial, such as a headstone, entry in a book of remembrance, or the planting of a tree
• Catering, floral tributes and newspaper announcements

There will only be more to pay at the time of the funeral if the third party costs exceed the allowance when you buy your plan, or if the costs increase by more than the growth of your plan.

However, even if prices rise in the future, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing there’ll be nothing more to pay for our funeral director’s services included in the plan once your plan is fully paid for – guaranteed.

With a Golden Charter funeral plan, you can pay for your plan in several ways. Spread the cost ormake a one-off payment – simply choose the one that’s right for you. We will provide you with theinformation you need to make an informed decision.

The retail price of your funeral plan is representative of the equivalent cost of a funeral today plusan arrangement fee of £350 which is retained by Golden Charter to help cover the costs of setting upyour plan.

Your payments are held within the Golden Charter Trust. With almost £1.21 billion undermanagement3, the Trust is operated by a Board of Trustees, completely independent of GoldenCharter. Their role is to hold your payments and ensure that the funeral director services in yourplan can be paid for at the time they are required – however far into the future that may be. Formore information on how your payments are protected, please visit goldencharter.co.uk/faqs

As a Golden Charter plan holder, you’ll receive personalised plan documents, which include asummary of your plan, our details, your plan holder certificate and a personal membership card foryou to carry in your purse or wallet. You can add a nominated representative to your plan if you wish to do so. Your nominated representative will receive a letter which will provide details of your planand our details, as your chosen funeral director. They will have no authority to make changes to your plan.

You’ll also receive a statement from Golden Charter every three years which will be sent via post.

As your funeral director, we’ll hold full details of your funeral plan. When the time comes, onephone call is all it takes to activate your plan and get the arrangements underway.

Most plans include funeral director services and a contribution towards third-party costs such as cremation or burial fees.

Yes, many prepaid funeral plans offer flexible monthly payment options depending on your age and plan type.

They can provide peace of mind, protect against rising costs, and reduce the burden on your family.

Funeral director services are typically fixed, but third-party costs may vary depending on future price changes.

Yes, you can choose between cremation plans, burial plans, or tailor a funeral to your preferences.

Plans provided through Golden Charter are regulated and designed to protect your funds.

Yes, plans can usually be reviewed and adjusted if your wishes change.

Prepaid funeral plans are available to most UK residents, regardless of age or health.

With N.E. Downing, you receive the same regulated plan support, but with a local, personal service from a trusted funeral director.

You can speak to our team or view available plans online to find an option that suits you.