A funeral plan is an easy way to arrange the funeral you want in advance. A plan allows you to specify your wishes and pay for the funeral director’s services included in your plan. As customers often tell us, that can bring peace of mind to you and your family. A plan from Golden Charter also includes an allowance towards third party costs. These are essential, non-funeral director services such as the cremation or burial fees, plus the minister or officiant’s fee to perform the service. The value of the allowance included in your plan may grow over time. 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.
At Hook Funeral Service, owned by VA Peterson Funeral Service Ltd, we work in partnership with Golden Charter to provide you with a simple way to plan ahead. As one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers1, Golden Charter has helped over 900,000 people to plan ahead2, so we’re completely confident in offering their plans to you.
Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure the plans we offer are as flexible as possible. When you get in touch, we’ll be happy to discuss your funeral requirements and tailor a plan to suit you. Rest assured a plan from Golden Charter is available to all UK residents, regardless of age or state of health.
Would you like to know more information about how a Golden Charter funeral plan could work for you? We can provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision for you and your family, so get in touch today!
1Based on a Golden Charter analysis and independent research of the funeral plan market size as at January 2023.
2Correct at October 2023.
VA Peterson Funeral Service Ltd is an appointed representative of Golden Charter Limited trading as Golden Charter Funeral Plans which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN:965279).
why choose a Golden Charter pre-paid funeral plan?
The main benefits are:
Protection
Against potentially rising funeral costs – average funeral costs have increased by over 28% over the past 10 years*
Choice
How you’d like your funeral to be arranged
Freedom
Burial and cremation options
Reassurance
Planning ahead lets you specify your wishes and save your loved ones from worry and expense at a difficult time
Flexible
Payment options that help you pay the way that suits you
*SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2023.
Golden Charter plans
We have partnered with Golden Charter, a leading funeral plan provider, to offer you a range of plans to suit all budgets.
We understand that everyone’s needs are different and allow you to choose a funeral plan that suits you. Just let us know about any personal preferences you have.
Funeral plan comparison
Basic Plan
From
£1,785*
Pay monthly from £19.011
The Basic Plan is a simple, direct, unattended cremation without the ceremony or expense associated with a traditional funeral. This plan is only available for cremation and doesn’t include any kind of funeral service. Neither you or your next of kin have any choice as to the location, date or time of the cremation – this will be decided by the funeral director.
A coffin suitable for cremation
Collection and transportation of the deceased to the funeral director’s premises within a 25 mile radius (within working hours)
An allowance included towards third party costs (£500)
Value Plan
From
£3,130*
Pay monthly from £25.192
The Value Plan offers a simple funeral. This plan limits some of the additional features of higher cost plans but provides you and your family with a high standard of care and support. A Value Plan is available for burial or cremation.
A basic coffin
Collection and transportation of the deceased to the funeral director’s premises within a 25 mile radius (within working hours)
An allowance included towards third party costs (£800)
STandard Plan
From
£3,730*
Pay monthly from £29.992
If you’re looking for a funeral plan that covers more than just the essentials, the Standard Plan may be suited to your needs. This plan includes a funeral procession, gives your family the choice of time and date for the funeral and is available as a burial or cremation.
A simple coffin
Collection and transportation of the deceased to the funeral director’s premises within a 25 mile radius (within working hours)
An allowance included towards third party costs (£1,100)
Choice of time and date of the funeral
Funeral procession to the funeral location
Select Plan
From
£4,085*
Pay monthly from £32.832
A funeral plan that goes a little bit further, the Select Plan includes the same services as a Standard Plan plus a limousine and higher quality coffin. Available as burial or cremation.
A high-quality coffin
Collection and transportation of the deceased to the funeral director’s premises within a 25 mile radius (24 hours)
An allowance included towards third party costs (£1,100)
Choice of time and date of the funeral
Funeral procession to the funeral location
One limousine
Premier Plan
From
£4,335*
Pay monthly from £34.842
The most comprehensive funeral plan, the Premier Plan offers the same services as the Select Plan plus two limousines and a superior coffin. Available as burial or cremation.
A superior coffin
Collection and transportation of the deceased to the funeral director’s premises within a 25 mile radius (24 hours)
An allowance included towards third party costs (£1,100)
Choice of time and date of the funeral
Funeral procession to the funeral location
Two limousines
A list of mourners who sent flowers
* Prices are correct at 3rd April 2023, and subject to change.
1. The pay monthly price of the Basic Plan is based on a 50 year old paying by the instalment payment option with a £49 deposit over 10 years. An instalment charge is included based on the term you select and is included in the overall cost of your funeral plan.
2. The pay monthly prices are based on a 50 year old paying by the instalment payment option with a £49 deposit over 15 years. An instalment charge is included based on the term you select and is included in the overall cost of your funeral plan.
What’s included with Golden CHarter funeral plans?
All of the following features are included within the funeral plans as standard and at no extra cost. Please note, features marked with an * are not included within the Basic Plan.
WHat’s not included in Golden Charter funeral plans?
The following features are not included within the cost of your plan, but you can express your wishes when you purchase and add on as appropriate.
1. Coffins supplied will be wood-effect quality or better (excludes the Basic plan). Your funeral director will provide further guidance on the types of coffin available within your plan.
2. Costs may apply if out-of-hours viewing is required.
3. Any third party allowance included in your funeral plan can be used toward these fees. Please see “Allowance toward third party costs” section for further information.
* Not included within a Basic plan.
Additional information
Burial plots and monumental work
Golden Charter plans don’t include the purchase of a burial plot. Should you choose burial instead of cremation, the plans include an allowance towards the opening of a new or existing grave. The purchase of a grave and any monumental work would need to be arranged separately.
Allowance towards third-party costs
Each plan can include an allowance towards third party costs. These are costs for essential, non-funeral director services required to carry out a cremation or burial. Funeral directors cannot control these costs and these fees need to be paid at the time of the funeral. These costs are paid by us to other suppliers or professionals to carry out funeral services. This allowance can be used towards cremation fees, burial or interment fees as well as the minister or officiant’s fee to conduct the service. The built-in allowance will not be used towards certain third party costs such as doctor’s fees (if applicable) or the purchase of the burial plot.
The value of the allowance included in your plan may grow over time. 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.
Arrangement Fee
The retail price of your funeral plan is representative of the equivalent cost of a funeral today plus an arrangement fee of £285 which is retained by Golden Charter to help cover the costs of setting up your plan.
we’re here for you…
We’re here to lend a helping hand if you would like to discuss anything with us. If you would like further information on Golden Charter funeral plans or arranging a funeral, get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk you through it.
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