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Funeral Plans beware !!!

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Sylann

Sylann Report 17 Jul 2012 13:57

My father in law took a funeral plan out ???

Peace of mind Nothing to worry about all paid for

Well after the funeral we got a bill from the funeral directors saying their was a short fall of £1100 ?? we had nothing extra

When we tackled them they said the funeral plan people were not paying the amount they should be paying
when we asked for a brake down of the costs they said they had signed a disclaimer with the plan people saying they couldn't yalk about the bill

But if we wanted to make an offer of say £500 that would be ok!!

needless to say we went to the company that supplied the plan they couldn't believe it and they have taken over saying we shouldn't have got the bill and they would deal with the funeral directors

How many people at a very upsetting time would just pay the bill and not ask questions

TessAkaBridgetTheFidget

TessAkaBridgetTheFidget Report 17 Jul 2012 14:05

I hope that it is sorted soon Sylann. I wonder how common this is.

Take care,
Tess

Sylann

Sylann Report 17 Jul 2012 14:08

That is my point and why I've put it on here just to make people aware what could happen

fortunatly we think we are sorted

*$parkling $andie*

*$parkling $andie* Report 17 Jul 2012 14:10

Upsetting as it would be , I wouldn't have paid such a bill.
But yes there are people vulnerable at such a time that may do so.

I'm sorry that you had such a demand from the Funeral directors, we know all our FD's well ( smallish community ) and they wouldn't just have billed us like that .
How disgusting to suggest an offer of £500 would be OK .

I'm glad that the company who supplied the plan have taken the worry from you and are dealing with the FD.

Condolences to your family on your bereavement . Sandie.

DazedConfused

DazedConfused Report 17 Jul 2012 15:15

Age Concern do a plan which you pay into and that is all you pay. It is a very basic funeral. But you can pay more if you want a bigger sendoff.

Sadly very few of us plan for our funerals, but when you think about it it is a really logical thing to do. You get the service etc., that you want and not what you family want. It takes away some of the stress associated with arranging a funeral. We are all at our most vulnerable when arranging a loved ones funeral and therefore more likely to be encouraged to overspend when it is totally unnecessary.

AnninGlos

AnninGlos Report 17 Jul 2012 15:41

How upsetting for you and how disgusting of the funeral directors, I hope it was not one of the well known ones like co-op etc. But I am pleased that you got it sorted.

wisechild

wisechild Report 17 Jul 2012 15:52

Spanish people pay a small amount into a funeral plan all their lives.
I was gobsmacked that my mother in laws funeral didn´t cost the family a penny, including huge wreaths of roses, the grave (or rather the hole in the wall), the chapel of rest & the service itself.
Your treatment was absolutely disgusting.

Sylann

Sylann Report 17 Jul 2012 16:55

All I'm saying AnninGlos is a lot of small funeral parlors are bought out by big concerns ??? But who ever was trying it on (funeral Directors or the Plan Company) didn't get anymore money off us

And yes It is a good idea to plan your funeral That is why My father in law did it and to save us the hassle at an upsetting time

A lot of plans are possibly Ok But all I'd say is if you stick to the plan that has been paid for then you shouldn't have any extra costs if so look into it

~~~Secret Red ^^ Squirrel~~~  **007 1/2**

~~~Secret Red ^^ Squirrel~~~ **007 1/2** Report 17 Jul 2012 17:58

Were they trying to swindle you? Should it be reported to the police?

Dawnieher3headaches

Dawnieher3headaches Report 17 Jul 2012 20:57

Mine and Hubbies are all paid for will be less for the children to worry about mine even has the hymn I want. We took them out after MiL died and we realised how much they would cost are lot.

Shame that someone is trying a fast one at such a sad time.

d x

JoyBoroAngel

JoyBoroAngel Report 17 Jul 2012 21:07

i wonder how many have just paid up when they got the bill :-(

Porkie_Pie

Porkie_Pie Report 17 Jul 2012 21:47

My dad had a bill after mum died but only told me about it after he paid

If i remember correctly that was for £1500

Both him and mum had the same Funeral Plan.

He said that he asked the funeral director why he was given a bill and was told that the bill was because the cost of funerals had gone up due to inflation and he just accepted that to be the case

That was in 2004 i did try to get hold of the details to pursue it for him but dad said no and was adamant that it was his responsibility and would not give me access to the policy

I do know he has set aside extra money to meet any short fall for when his turn comes

Roy


Click ADD REPLY button - not this link!

Click ADD REPLY button - not this link! Report 17 Jul 2012 22:04

I'd file a complaint against the funeral directors. Sounds like a scam, especially as they weren't willing to itemize the charges.

The whole point of a funeral plan is that services in the plan are covered in full. This includes paying for Funeral Director services, doctors’, minister's and cremation fees, etc. The costs are supposed to be frozen and guaranteed never to increase.

Lots of info. here:

http://www.funeralplanningauthority.com/

http://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/reviews-ns/funeral-plans/

Rose

*$parkling $andie*

*$parkling $andie* Report 17 Jul 2012 22:30

Mam or Dad never had a funeral plan, but he knew his assets would cover any costs. I was the executrix of dad's will and paid FD myself before his estate was sorted. Could have waited I suppose as you never see a poor FD.

Porkie Pie , that's sad your dad wouldn't let you sort it for him.

We have no intention of having a financial funeral plan, perhaps requests put in our wills ..when we make them.Children know what we'd want.!
Our money is ours to invest as we want for now and our children who will inherit it ,can do what they like with it, they already invest a certain amount monthly instead of paying board and lodge. That is our choice.

Sylann
One of our FDs have been bought out by an American company, tho they still trade under their original name, and it is a great shame that you had that grief with such bills, I do hope your FD will now sort it for you and you have no further distress Take care .