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Written by Mitch Tapner.
20 minute read
When you’re planning ahead, it’s natural to want clear, reliable information about your options. Many people come across Aviva when looking into funeral costs and assume they offer prepaid funeral plans. But while Aviva doesn’t provide funeral plans, they do offer life insurance and over-50s life cover – which work in a different way.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between life insurance and funeral plans. We’ll look at what each one covers, how they’re paid for, and what to consider when deciding what’s right for you.
We’ll also take a closer look at how an Aviva policy works, what it includes, and how it compares to a fully guaranteed funeral plan from Aura.
Our aim is to help you feel informed and reassured, so you can choose the type of cover that feels right for you and your family.
No, Aviva does not offer a prepaid funeral plan. Instead, they provide a type of life insurance called Over 50s Life Insurance (sometimes known as whole-of-life cover). This pays out a fixed cash sum when you die. Your family can use the money however they choose – for example, to help with funeral costs or other expenses.
However, this is not the same as a funeral plan. A funeral plan allows you to arrange specific services in advance and lock in today’s prices, helping to protect against potential rising funeral costs.
Key features of Aviva’s Over 50s Life Insurance
It’s important to note that the payout amount is fixed. This means it may not cover the full cost of a funeral in the future, especially if prices rise or if your family chooses a more expensive service.
Aviva’s Over 50s life insurance isn’t a funeral plan. Instead, it provides a cash payout when you die, which your loved ones can use however they wish.
Here’s a simple overview of how it works:
A few things to keep in mind:
If you’re comparing funeral plans vs life insurance, it’s important to understand how each one works, and what they do (and don’t) cover. Below is a simple side-by-side look at how an Aviva Over 50s life insurance policy compares with an Aura prepaid funeral plan.
| Feature | Aura prepaid funeral plan | Insurance payout (Aviva) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of product | Prepaid funeral plan with services secured in advance | Life insurance policy for over-50s that pays out a cash lump sum |
| What it covers | Funeral services such as cremation, transport and coffin, agreed in your plan | A fixed cash amount for your family to use however they choose, including towards funeral costs |
| Cost certainty | Funeral costs are locked in at today’s prices | The payout is fixed, but may not keep up with potential rising funeral costs |
| Regulation | Regulated as a funeral plan by the FCA | Regulated by the FCA and PRA as a life insurance product |
| Risk of shortfall | No shortfall, services covered in full according to the plan | Because it’s a cash payout, there’s a risk it may not cover the full cost of the funeral |
| Peace of mind | Everything is arranged and paid for in advance | Your family will need to organise the funeral and pay for it at the time, using the money from the policy |
In summary, Aviva offers life insurance, not a funeral plan. It gives more flexibility in how the money is used, but less certainty if your main goal is to make sure your funeral is taken care of.
With a prepaid funeral plan, like Aura’s, you can make clear arrangements in advance and fix the cost. That means less stress and fewer financial worries for your loved ones later on.
A funeral plan lets you arrange and pay for the services you want in advance. This can help protect your loved ones from rising costs and difficult decisions later on. Unlike life insurance, it focuses specifically on covering your funeral.
With Aura, you’re in control. You can choose whether you’d like a funeral with attendees or something more private. That flexibility means you can tailor the plan to suit your wishes. Every plan includes essential services such as cremation, care of the person who has died, and a simple, dignified coffin as standard. You can pay in full or spread the cost in a way that suits you.
When the time comes, a trusted funeral director carries out the arrangements exactly as set out in your plan. There’s nothing more for your family to pay for the services included.
All Aura funeral plans are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and your money is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The money you pay goes into an independently managed trust and is only used to cover the funeral when it’s needed.
Select a plan that meets your needs from our range of highly-rated and fully-secure funeral plan options.
Speak to one of our lovely expertsℹ to secure your plan, or purchase your plan securely online in a few simple steps.
We’ll place your money into a secure, independently-managed trust, so that it’s ready to be used for when the time comes.
After you’ve died, we’ll bring you into our care and support your loved ones through the initial paperwork with patience and compassion.
We’ll let your loved ones know the date and time of your cremation, and on the day, transport you privately to the crematorium.
Within 21 days of the cremation, we’ll arrange to hand-deliver your ashes to your chosen person at no additional cost, or we’ll scatter them on their behalf.
*Before purchase, you’ll receive a clear summary of what’s included, what’s not, and your rights under the plan*
A funeral plan helps cover the practical aspects of a funeral. It gives you the chance to make important decisions in advance, easing both the emotional and financial pressure on those close to you. While what’s included can vary between providers, with Aura you can be confident that the following are always guaranteed:
What’s included with Aura?
What’s not included with Aura?
Aura’s funeral plans are designed to cover the essential, practical parts of a cremation. Some elements are not included as standard, but can often be arranged separately or added to a different type of plan if needed.
Every provider is different, so it’s worth checking carefully what’s included in each plan. A clear, upfront provider helps avoid confusion or unexpected costs later on – making things a little easier for the people left behind.
Aura has a variety of prepaid funeral plans to match different budgets and personal preferences. Whether your choice is attended or not, we’ll either scatter your ashes in the crematorium’s garden or deliver them by hand to someone close, usually within 21 days.
Our simple Direct Cremation Plan offers a simple and understated unattended direct cremation.
*Terms and conditions apply. You will receive a funeral plan summary before purchase.*
The cost of a funeral plan depends on a few things, including the type of service you choose, where in the UK you live, and how you prefer to pay.
Aura’s unattended direct cremation plan is priced at £1,695 and costs the same no matter where you are in the UK. It includes everything needed for a simple cremation, such as cremation fees, bringing the person into care, a basic coffin, and returning the ashes to the family. If you’d rather pay monthly, you can spread the cost over 12 to 24 months with no extra fees.
If you’d like something more personal, plans that include a ceremony or gathering tend to cost a bit more. Aura’s attended direct cremation options start at £2,395, which includes a short, 10-minute service with up to 15 guests. For those wanting a longer farewell, there’s also a service from £2,995, which offers a 40-minute ceremony at one of our partnered crematoriums, with space for as many people as the venue allows.
Choosing a prepaid funeral plan means agreeing the cost and services in advance. Once your plan is fully paid and active, there’s usually nothing more to pay for the services included. This can ease both the financial and emotional pressure on the people you leave behind.
Only you can decide whether a funeral plan is worth it, bearing in mind your personal circumstances. For many people, it’s about having one less thing to worry about. Putting plans in place can give you confidence that your wishes will be followed and that your family won’t face added stress or uncertainty when the time comes.
Another reason people choose a prepaid funeral plan is to avoid potential rising funeral costs. SunLife’s 2025 Cost of Dying report shows that funeral prices have continued to rise. By paying in advance, you can lock in today’s prices and avoid unexpected bills later on.
Regulated plans, like those offered by Aura, also give financial reassurance. The money is protected and can only be used for the services in your plan.
If you want to make things simpler for your family and feel more in control of future costs, a funeral plan might be worth considering.
Prepaid funeral plans can be an important part of end-of-life planning, helping you make thoughtful decisions now to ease the burden on your loved ones later. Compared with simple life insurance, funeral plans offer key advantages:
*Funeral plans may not be suitable for everyone. Some services are not included as standard. Please check the plan summary before purchase*
When choosing a funeral plan, it’s reassuring to know that funeral plan regulation is in place to protect you and your money.
All prepaid funeral plans in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means providers must follow strict rules — they must treat you fairly, explain exactly what’s included in your plan, and keep your money safe, usually in a secure trust or insurance policy.
This regulation also means you have clear rights. You’ll know how to cancel if needed, what to expect from the service, and where to turn if something goes wrong.
Your payments are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which offers extra security if the provider were ever to go out of business.
A common concern with life insurance is that the payout might not fully cover the cost of a funeral. For example:
*Please note, these figures are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect your circumstances.*
With an Aura funeral plan, the services you choose are arranged and paid for in advance. This means there’s no shortfall for those agreed services. It offers a simple and secure way to pay for funeral expenses ahead of time, helping to ease both the financial and emotional pressure on your family.
There’s no single provider that’s right for everyone. The best choice will depend on your personal wishes, your budget, and how involved you’d like your family to be when the time comes.
That said, many people choose Aura for a few important reasons:
Transparent pricing
Aura clearly sets out what each plan includes, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. There are no hidden costs, and you can pay in full or spread the cost monthly — whichever suits you best.
Strong protections and FCA regulation
All Aura funeral plans are fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means your money is protected, and you’re covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if anything were to go wrong.
Straightforward, flexible choices
Aura offers several plan options to suit different needs. Whether you prefer a simple direct cremation or want something more personalised, there’s a plan to match. If cost is a deciding factor, direct cremation prices are among the most affordable, without compromising on care or quality.
Supportive, compassionate service
Planning ahead can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Aura’s kind and knowledgeable team is here to support you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have.
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| Starting Price | £1,695 | £2,095 | £1,700 | £1,700 | £1,885 |
| Trustpilot | 4.9/5 stars | 4.8/5 stars | 4.6/5 stars | 4.8/5 stars | 4.4/5 stars |
| Fairer Finance | |||||
| All-Inclusive Pricingℹ | |||||
| Transparent Pricingℹ | |||||
| Free Cancellation Anytimeℹ |
It’s a common and understandable concern when planning ahead. The good news is that strong protections are in place if you choose a provider that follows funeral plan regulation, including the standards set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Since July 2022, all prepaid funeral plan providers must be regulated by the FCA. This means they’re required to take clear steps to protect your money, typically by placing it in a secure trust or using a regulated insurance policy. These measures are designed to make sure your funeral can still be carried out, even if the provider is no longer operating.
At Aura, we take this responsibility seriously. All customer payments go into a dedicated trust, carefully managed and independently overseen. You can find more information about how we keep your money safe on our website.
If a provider stops trading, your plan may be transferred to another FCA-approved provider. If that’s not possible, a full refund will be offered. In some cases, and depending on eligibility, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) may step in to provide compensation.
These protections are in place to give you peace of mind, knowing that your money is secure and your wishes will be respected.
Everyone’s needs and priorities are different. While Aviva offers life insurance, Aura provides prepaid funeral plans – so each option works in a different way.
If you’d like to plan ahead and make sure both the cost and the details of the funeral are taken care of in advance, a funeral plan from Aura could be a good fit. It gives you the chance to make decisions now and ease the pressure on your family later.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on what matters most to you. It’s a good idea to speak with both providers and think about your wishes, your budget, and the kind of support you’d like to leave behind.
Why people choose Aura:
If you’re not sure which option is best, we can help you compare funeral plans in a clear and simple way. Whether you’re thinking about a direct cremation or something more traditional, we’re here to offer honest guidance and gentle support.
At Aura, we believe in treating every person that turns to us as if they were our own family. This dedication has earned us an exceptional 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating, making us the highest rated ‘Cremation Services’ provider on the platform.
We’re honoured to be a trusted partner for families across the UK. Read their stories below.
Some companies offer funeral insurance, which pays out a lump sum after someone dies. This money can be used however the family chooses – including to help cover funeral costs. But it doesn’t guarantee that a funeral will be arranged, or that the costs will be fully covered.
It’s also worth knowing that Aviva’s Over 50s Life Insurance isn’t a funeral insurance policy. It’s a type of life insurance, which works a little differently.
A funeral plan is different again. It lets you arrange and pay for specific funeral services in advance. Everything is agreed ahead of time, so when the time comes, those services are carried out just as planned. This can ease financial pressure and bring some clarity for the people left behind.
If your plan is fully paid and active, the services it covers won’t cost your family anything further. This usually includes cremation, care of the person who has died, and a simple coffin.
If your family would like something not included in the plan, such as flowers, a venue, or extra vehicles, these would need to be paid for separately.
In most cases, yes. Most providers offer a cooling-off period where you can cancel and receive a full refund. After that, some may charge a cancellation fee or return only part of what you’ve paid.
With Aura, you can cancel at any time. There are no cancellation or admin fees. If no services have been provided and you have paid in a lump sum or in instalments up to 24 months, everything you’ve paid will be refunded. We aim to keep things clear and flexible from the start.
Yes, and many people do. They work in different ways.
A funeral plan covers the funeral itself. It guarantees certain services will be provided, and it fixes the cost at today’s prices.
Life insurance provides a cash payout. Your family can use this money however they choose, including to help with funeral costs. It offers flexibility, but it doesn’t guarantee that the funeral will be arranged or fully covered.
With a product like Aviva’s Over 50s life insurance, the payout is fixed. If funeral costs go up over time, the payout might not be enough, and your family may have to pay the difference.
An Aura prepaid funeral plan works differently. It locks in the cost of your chosen services at today’s prices, so your loved ones are protected from potential rising funeral costs. It’s a simple way to pay for funeral expenses in advance and make sure everything is in place when it’s needed.
If you’d like to know more about how to plan a cremation with Aura, our brochure is a helpful place to begin.
Our funeral plans are a helpful way to put everything in place for you or someone else.
When the time comes, our experienced team will be here to guide you through each step, offering support and advice whenever you need it.
To find out more about how our plans work, what’s included, and our story, you can request a brochure by clicking the link below. We will then send you a copy by email or First Class post—whichever you prefer.