Funeral Planning
Funeral Planning is the most thoughtful decision you can make. It is over 25 years since my mother persuaded me to arrange her funeral plan: It was not something that I wanted to think about, and I put it off. However, after several months I did arrange it for her, and I will never forget her relief and the pleasure that it gave her. She visited the funeral director, and she was so pleased that her funeral was going to be the way that she wanted. When she died eight years later, I fully understood: it was indeed the most thoughtful thing that she could have done. She died at 1 a.m. on Sunday 3 June 2001 and my sister arrived at the nursing home within an hour of her death to find that the funeral director was already there arranging things just as my mother had wanted. Everything worked like clockwork. At her funeral I couldn’t help but raise a smile that she had thought of me and my sister to the end. My mother had paid £998 for her funeral in July 1993 and in June 2001 there was nothing for us to pay.
Funerals have gone up four-fold since then and at this rate of increase it would be difficult to put aside funds and guarantee the return that would be required to cover your funeral in the future. Purchasing your funeral now is likely to be a wise use of your money as well as being wise and thoughtful planning. My mother’s funeral plan was the first but over the years many clients have taken my advice and arranged their funeral plans. Sadly, a number of those have passed on and at the time the one thing that those that they leave behind tell me is: "What a thoughtful decision! It is such a relief not having to think about what to do at this time when we are upset about our loss."
For impartial advice about Funeral Plans you may like to consult the Money Advice Service at:
Money Advice Service
The average cost of a funeral increased from £1835 in 2004 to £4056 in 2021
The Sun Life Cost of Dying Report provides useful information and it usually updated annually
The Importance of Taking Independent Financial Advice
We believe in ensuring that our clients have a plan that is the most suitable for their needs and preferences by providing them with the widest possible choice.
Alan Moran is authorised by the FCA to provide advice on Funeral Plans, and he is able to provide you with advice regarding the most appropriate funeral plan for your needs.
Over the last 25 years he has provided clients with funeral plans from Golden Charter, Dignity, and other funeral plan providers. He has attended the funerals of many so he is able to confirm that funeral plans provide the care and service that you would wish for.
From personal family experience of funeral plans in practice we can say with some emotion that putting a prepaid funeral plan in place is indeed 'the most thoughtful decision that you can make'.
We believe that choosing your funeral plan provider is too important a decision to decide on the basis of cost because peace of mind and confidence that it will do the job at the time of need is worth a lot more. Therefore, please give this decision the time that it deserves and ensure that you benefit from independent financial advice.
Our fee for arranging a funeral plan is £250 and this includes advice, recommendation, administration, ensuring that your nominated beneficiaries are kept informed, liaising with the funeral director when necessary, and assistance with completing your funeral wishes requirements.
Read my article in Professional Adviser: Why I'm proud to provide funeral plan advice
Your Funeral Wishes
In addition to arranging their funeral plan most of our clients like to help their loved ones by giving some thought to their funeral arrangements.
With the help of feedback from our clients we have prepared a funeral wishes form and you can complete it on screen or download it and complete it by hand. When you have completed it ensure that your nominated funeral director gets a copy and ensure that your loved ones get a copy as well. We normally help our clients complete their funeral wishes form at the same time that they arrange their funeral plan so do not worry because help is at hand.
Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney
We highly recommend that you put your Wills, Trusts, and Lasting Powers of Attorney in place without delay. You should also arrange for their secure storage, ensure that your Executors and Attorneys know their location, and keep them under regular review. Wills are not ‘tablets of stone’ and they should be reviewed and updated whenever there are changes your circumstances or changes in the law or taxation.
You may like to review our service at Interface Trusts and contact us directly for help. The service that we recommend is independent of any service provided by any funeral service provider.
Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and associated legal work is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
A word of caution: We do not recommend insurance plans that claim to cover your funeral expenses
Some people take out life assurance to cover their funeral but in practice this does little when the time comes. There is usually no appointed funeral director and there is usually no expression of funeral wishes. Often the funeral has to be paid for before the insurance pays out which causes distress at a difficult time. There is also no guarantee that the sum assured will cover the cost of your funeral at the time of need. We advise our clients to take out a pre-paid funeral plan instead of life assurance because we believe that they should do the job properly. If you already have one of these plans in place and would like to discuss your options simply get in touch.
The Financial Conduct Authority and the regulation of funeral plans
Funeral plans, funeral plan providers, and funeral plan advisers became regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority | FCA with effect from 29th July 2022.
More than 50% of funeral plan providers ceased operating and any funeral plans that they provided to clients have been transferred to the remaining regulated funeral plan providers. In addition, whereas funeral plans could be provided by almost anyone they can now only be provided by independent financial advisers who have the correct regulatory permissions.
Under the old regime commissions were paid on funeral plans by the funeral plan provider however with effect from 29th of July 2022 commissions have been banned and funeral plans can now only be provided on a fee basis which must be paid directly by the client.
Prior to regulation by the FCA funeral plan providers could choose to be members of the FPA - Funeral Planning Authority which gave some measure of protection, but membership was voluntary and not a regulatory requirement.
FCA Information
Funeral plans are regulated by the FCA from 29th July 2022
FCA regulation boosts consumer protection in the funeral plans market
Funeral plans: if you already have a plan check that your provider is authorised
Funeral plan providers – list of firms not authorised from 29 July 2022
Financial Services Register Check the status of your Plan Provider or your Adviser
Check our status using our FCA reference numbers
Interface Financial Planning 424729
Alan Moran AXM00060
Tom Moran TXM000354
Funeral Plan Providers
Many of our clients have funeral plans in place with Dignity or Golden Charter
Dignity Funerals Limited
Dignity – Your Life your story – log in to view your plan and update your details
Golden Charter
Funeral Plan advice documentation
What our Clients say
Alan has the ability to listen and care about people
We first met Alan in 1999; we both wished that we
had known him many years before. Alan has several attributes, in addition to his financial skills, the ability to listen and caring about people. From the first day that we met our financial affairs became organised, now to the point where we can say that we never have any financial worries, in fact we seem to be better off financially now more than ever before. All due to Alan's guidance and expertise. We both consider Alan a very good friend, nice to know he would be there if we needed him.
Norman & Peggy Howell, Birmingham
I always receive a fast and efficient response
It has been almost ten years now since David and myself first consulted you for advice and guidance on financial matters, so I feel that it's time that I wrote to thank you for the help and assistance that has always been forthcoming. Shortly after we had moved house in 1992, you advised us to switch from one type of mortgage to another, which turned out to be the most successful financial move we had made in years. Over the years we contacted you for financial advice and guidance when our daughter was heading for University, on taking out life and house assurance policies and general financial overhauls. Your recommendations have always been sound and given in a manner both efficient and friendly, none more so than when I was widowed just over two years ago and needed a considerable amount of help, immediately given upon request and with great sensitivity during what was a very difficult time for me. There is little I can add, except to also thank the rest of your staff, friendly voices at the end of the telephone who take and pass on my enquiries and ensure that I always receive a fast and efficient response. I can recommend, without reservation, Interface Financial Planning Limited.
Maureen Pittaway, Sutton Coldfield
A very special and caring person
Alan - A very special and caring person, who it's been a pleasure to meet - thank you again it's been a privilege and honour, your kindness has been second to none and we know you've helped probably more than you should but I can assure you it was all very much appreciated, more than you know.
Bill & Sue Ralph, Oldbury, West Midlands
Advice that has been invaluable
Alan has been our financial adviser for 5 years. He is professional, well informed and reliable, and his advice has been invaluable to us. He and his staff are courteous and efficient, and we have no hesitation in approaching him for advice on any aspect of our finances, or in recommending him to relatives, friends and colleagues.
Tony & Sue Critchley, Lichfield
Always friendly and considerate
Alan Moran has acted on our behalf for over 10 years. Alan has over this time always listened to our requirements and fed back to us the best options, given our constraints and made very useful alternatives suggestions. He has always been friendly and considerate. I would not now consider making any financial investment or savings decision without first consulting him.
Ian & Joyce Miller, Birmingham
Honest and always takes the time to explain everything thoroughly
Alan has acted as our family Financial Adviser for many years. He is honest, non-pushy and always takes the time to explain everything thoroughly as often as needed. Alan is not only our Financial Adviser but we regard him as our friend. We would have no hesitation in recommending him and his staff to anyone who needs a Financial Adviser they can trust.
Malcolm & Sylvia Smith, Perry Barr, Birmingham
Alan's sound advice has improved my life no end.
I was introduced to Alan Moran in 1999. I was juggling my finances just to keep afloat and was wary of taking outside advice. A close friend of mine recommended Alan as a reliable and honest adviser who would take great care in choosing the right path to get my financial affairs on track. Trusting their judgement, I arranged to meet Alan. I was treated with the utmost care, given time to consider the guidance that Alan provided and never pushed into taking on financial services. Meeting Alan and acting upon his sound advice has improved my life no end. Even on a limited income, prudent planning has enabled me to save for annual holidays and even cope with the occasional unexpected expense as well as keep up to date with all of my bills. I count Alan among my friends and have recommended him to both my sister and my parents. He really is the genuine article and I cannot thank him enough for all he did for me.
Zena Davis, Coventry
Alan's knowledge of financial matters is very comprehensive
Alan was introduced to me by a friend at the time when my finances were a mess and I just didn't know what to do for the best. Calmly, kindly and sympathetically Alan sorted everything out. Since then he and his wonderful team have sorted out my house and car insurances, my son's mortgage and pension plan and, last but not least, guided me through the ramifications of buying a property in Spain. I have recommended him to friends, as his knowledge of financial matters is very comprehensive and sound. Alan is able to offer advice without making the recipient feel a complete idiot and he takes time to explain things thoroughly and in a way that is understandable.
Tricia Adams, Cannock, Staffordshire
Alan's sound advice has improved my life no end.
I have been a client of Alan Moran's for 12 years and during that time he has given me valuable advice on all aspects of finance. He always explains everything thoroughly and has been particularly supportive during periods of crisis in my life. He helped my late husband and I when his business went into liquidation and was even more valuable when my husband died, pointing me in the right direction with my finances and getting me to invest my money sensibly and with the just rewards that I am now experiencing. I regard Alan not only as my Financial Adviser, but also as my friend, and would, and in fact have, recommended Interface Financial Planning Services to anyone needing a Financial Adviser they can trust.
Marian Poolley, Sutton Coldfield
Efficient and reliable in terms of financial decision making
Alan Moran has been our independent financial adviser for a number of years. He has proven to be an efficient and reliable person to guide us in terms of financial decision making with regard to planning and management of current and future economic matters. He is friendly, discreet, careful and always courteous.
Chris & Tony Hampton, Halesowen
Highly professional, friendly and supportive approach
We have been clients of Alan Moran (Interface Financial Planning Ltd) for over five years. In this time, his highly professional, friendly and supportive approach has provided us with a thorough review of all aspects of our finances. We are now in a position where both our short term and long term financial planning is well organised and structured to suit our personal needs. We have recommended Alan and his team to many of our friends and know that they, like us, have been impressed and grateful for the care he has taken to provide such individual service.
Ann & Allan Rowlands, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham
Professional and friendly manner
Just dropping you a line to say thank you for all the help you've provided us throughout the purchase of our house and the investment policies you've recommended us. May we both thank you for the very professional and friendly way, in which you handled our business, and look forward to hearing from you in the future.
John Fletcher & Linda Davis, Bromsgrove
Wouldn't hesitate to recommend
We were recommended to Alan by my brother in law and have been very pleased with his advice and assistance. Since using his services, we have organised our Wills, Pensions and re-jigged our finances, and now would not consider making any financial investment or savings decision without first contacting him! We would have no hesitation in recommending his services to anyone requiring sound independent financial advice.
Richard Salaman & Emma Staples, Surrey
Valuable advice on our mortgage, future planning, savings and pension investments.
Seeking financial advice for the first time, I received details of three local IFAs. However, these cold statistics gave no idea of the actual person to whom I would need to entrust confidential information. Sometime later I came across an article in a local paper by Alan (Moran) in which the writer came over as friendly and trustworthy as well as being a qualified IFA. Having contacted Interface Financial Planning, the result has been a friendly relationship and valuable advice on our mortgage, future planning, savings and pension investments.
Mike & Gloria Nash, Great Barr, Birmingham
I have never had a single financial concern
The best thing financially that I ever did when I contacted Alan. I have never had a single financial concern and he has supported me through difficult times including the death of my dear wife.
Norman Howell, Birmingham
“Don’t put off the planning for your financial future as you are
never aware of what lies around the corner”
We first met Alan in 1999; we both wished that we
It was very important to gain financial advice in such a challenging time after my wife passed away. I needed to ensure that, as a newly single parent, I had got my finances sorted out and had also made provision for my children in case anything happened to me. As neither my wife or myself had made a will, Alan’s advice and guidance through this very difficult period was invaluable, especially dealing with the paperwork associated with this.
Paul from Birmingham
“Alan, was immediately empathetic, encouraging and, above all, practical and straightforward”
I realised that I had been operating both my general and particularly financial affairs reactively for far too long and it was time I behaved like a grown up. So I started to think about how I might achieve some sort of practical stasis. Alan, was immediately empathetic, encouraging a nd, above all, practical and straightforward. I hadn’t consciously taken financial advice before, but came to realise that the various salesmen who had sold me policies and pension upgrades were not motivated in the same way a ‘proper’ financial adviser was (or should be). Consequently, I had taken on commitments that weren’t necessarily in my best interests. Alan is genuinely interested in my circumstances, and owns a readiness to go beyond what I had imagined would be the boundaries of the role.
Steven from Cirencester