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Funeral Cover for Parents: What Are the Best Options?

22 minute read

Article reviewed by James Daley, Managing Director at Fairer Finance on May 28, 2025.

If you’re a parent, one of your main concerns in end-of-life planning is bound to be how to spare your children from needless hassle. Especially because, after you’re no longer here, they’ll likely be facing a very difficult time. One of the key ways that you can minimise difficulty for those you leave behind is to pay for your funeral in advance with funeral cover for parents. In this article, we are going to talk about different types of funeral cover for parents, from prepaid funeral plans to funeral insurance.

If you’ve found us here, you may now be giving thought to your own future funeral, or perhaps to a funeral which may be needed more imminently by a dying loved one. Whatever your situation, we’d like to be able to help. Aura is the top-rated national provider of ‘Cremation Services’ on Trustpilot, with a score of 4.9/5 stars, and we proudly offer those services to those who need a funeral more immediately, through our direct cremation services, or via our *prepaid funeral plans for those looking to the future.

Key Takeaways

Funeral cover can ease the pressures on family by pre-paying for and planning a funeral.
Options include prepaid funeral plans, funeral insurance, and over-50s life insurance.
Prepaid plans lock in today’s prices but can only be used for funeral expenses.
Insurance policies may pay out a lump sum but may cost more than buying a funeral plan in the long run.
Comparing providers and understanding costs and payment options is crucial before choosing a plan.

*Terms and conditions apply. Funeral plans may not cover all costs. You will receive a summary of what is and isn’t included before purchase.

Understanding funeral cover for parents

There are different forms of funeral cover out there which suit the needs of different people, including options to buy a funeral plan for someone else.

Some people like to opt for a prepaid funeral plan, whereas others prefer something like funeral insurance or over-50’s life insurance. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and whichever one you opt for will depend on your own funeral preferences and budget.

Whilst funeral plans are available to everyone, parents may find them especially beneficial. Prepaid funeral plans allow the planholder to organise and pay for their funeral in advance. They find a funeral director that suits their needs, share their wishes, and pay them the money they need to cover their funeral (either all in one go or over monthly instalments). Once they die, the plan is activated and the money they’ve paid the director is used for their funeral.

Parents might find them beneficial because they offer both the planholder and their family peace of mind. In purchasing a funeral plan, you will be able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that all of your end-of-life wishes have been set out. Whereas your family will know that they won’t have to stump up at short notice to pay for your funeral without being able to discuss what you’d like. It’s this particular benefit that appeals to parents.

Sometimes, people may opt instead for a form of insurance, such as over-50s life insurance, to cover their funeral costs, rather than taking out a funeral plan.

With this model, fixed monthly premiums are paid from the point of sign-up either until death or until a certain birthday is reached, and, upon the death of the policy holder, the beneficiary of the policy will receive a cash lump-sum which can be used to cover funeral costs.

The end goal of a funeral cover, whether or not for parents, is to help us to cost effectively arrange and pay for funerals in advance.

Can I buy funeral cover for my parent?

Yes, in most cases you can. Many people choose to arrange funeral cover on behalf of a parent to make sure everything is planned and paid for in advance. This can bring peace of mind to everyone involved, but there are a few things to be aware of:

Consent is essential. Most providers will need your parent’s agreement to go ahead with the plan. This might be given in writing, or confirmed in a recorded phone call.
Some personal details are required. You may need to share basic information such as your parent’s name, age, address, and contact number. If you’re arranging insurance cover, questions about general health may also come up.
You don’t need Power of Attorney. As long as your parent is willing to be the planholder and can give consent, you can arrange everything without legal authority.

Types of funeral cover available for parents

There are a range of different types of funeral cover available, from prepaid funeral plans to insurance policies and family funeral cover.

Prepaid funeral plans

Prepaid funeral plans are safe and secure financial products which allow you to pay for and plan your funeral in advance. In 2022, the industry became regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), requiring all firms to be licensed before they could sell funeral plans. As part of this, firms have to guarantee the safety of the money of their customers; your money is protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), offering you an extra layer of financial security if the firm fails. This trust guarantees that the money needed to pay your funeral costs will always be there ready for when it’s needed, even if direct cremation prices continue to rise in the meantime.

Different plans include different things. For instance, with Aura, the price of hand-delivering the ashes back to the family after the cremation is included in the final price, but this isn’t always the case. It should also be borne in mind that, unlike with other forms of funeral cover, a funeral plan cannot be used for any other purpose besides paying for a funeral. In this sense, it’s not as flexible as over-50’s life insurance, the payout from which could theoretically be used for anything the beneficiary wants.

Which funeral plan is right for you?

If you’re not sure where to begin, think about the following:

Budget-focused? A prepaid direct cremation plan is usually the most affordable.
Want flexibility? Over-50s life cover may offer more choice on how the funds are used.
Sorting a plan for a parent? Consider prepaid plans that don’t need medical checks.
Prefer simple and quick? Choose a provider that offers online or phone setup, with clear paperwork.

Aura also offers a free brochure to help you compare options, or you can speak with one of our experienced arrangers for personalised advice. A summary of what’s included and excluded in each funeral plan will be provided in our Funeral Plan Summary, included in the brochure.

Funeral insurance policies, or over-50’s insurance

Insurance policies, such as an over-50’s life insurance policy, can payout a lump-sum which can be used towards funeral costs. The policy holder pays the insurance company monthly premiums (which are normally fixed at the point of sign-up for the duration of the policy) until the point at which you die, or reach a certain age (for instance your 90th birthday).

Those relying on life insurance to help their family cover funeral costs should bear a couple of things in mind, especially when choosing a funeral plan.

The first thing is that, depending on when you started paying for the policy, the amount of money you have paid the insurer by the point of payout may be more than the value of the lump-sum. This means it could, in the long run, be more convenient and cost-effective to just keep your money in a bank account. Two other important things to bear in mind are that the policy may be void depending on the cause of death, or if payment(s) were missed.

You should also bear in mind that such insurance is available under ‘fixed term’ or ‘whole of life’ arrangements. With the former, the policy is designed to cover a finite period of the policy holder’s life, i.e., 10 years, whereas the latter is infinite. Once the time of the former example elapses, a new policy will simply need to be started all over again, if you want to remain covered.

Family funeral cover policies

It’s possible to take out a joint life-insurance policy, perhaps for you and your spouse. Some couples find this less hassle and more convenient. It will usually payout after the death of the first insured person, perhaps with the second person as a beneficiary. With funeral plans, whilst they can’t work in this way , some providers, like Aura, offer the option to buy two together, often at a reduced cost. This allows you and someone dear to you to put your end-of-life plans in place together, and to save in the process. For instance, our starting price for an unattended direct cremation funeral plan is * £1,695, whereas the price for two together is £3,290; a combined saving of £100.

*Prices correct at time of writing. Additional services may incur extra charges.

Good funeral cover can give both you and your children peace of mind.

How to choose the best funeral cover for parents

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best funeral cover plan for your parent — from how it’s paid for, to what’s included. These range from how to pay, and what is included.

Factors to consider

Both funeral plans and insurance options come with a variety of ways to pay. Typically, funeral plans can be paid for all in one go at the outset; over the shorter term (e.g. 12–24 months) at no extra cost; or on finance over the longer term (e.g. 5–25 years) with interest / admin fees built in. Currently, Aura offers you the option to pay over 12–24 months at no extra cost when compared to paying the full amount in one go. Insurance premiums can be paid in much the same way, with some insurance providers allowing their policy holders to pay up-front (particularly for whole-life terms), or in fixed monthly premiums. Which model you opt for will depend on a variety of things, from your budget to your preferences.

Comparing funeral cover providers

When shopping around for a funeral plan provider, it’s essential to compare funeral plans against one another, allowing you to get a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of each offer, and of each provider generally. This is good advice recommended by the likes of Martin Lewis as a way of arming yourself with objective information and making better decisions. You’ll need to make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for, and what is included with each offer.

Costs and payment options

According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral last year in the UK was £4,285. They also say that, over the last 21 years, funeral prices have increased by 134%, whereas, had they only increased in line with inflation over this period, the increase would only be 75%: there’s no doubt that funeral costs are rising.

Funeral plans are a good way to combat this situation, as they lock in today’s prices for the future. Aura’s prepaid direct cremation plans are available from £1,695, which is less than half of that SunLife average price. This same plan can be available from as little as £70.63, over two years, and £141.25 over one year. The final price you pay is always the same, regardless of whether you want to pay all in one go, or over 12–24 months.

Can I buy a funeral plan as a gift?

Yes, and many people do. Buying a plan for a parent, partner, or even a close friend can be a meaningful act of care. It shows thoughtfulness not just for their wishes, but for the wellbeing of those left behind.

Some choose to give a prepaid funeral plan as part of a larger end-of-life conversation, while others arrange it quietly with consent. Aura’s team is experienced in handling these arrangements with sensitivity and clarity, helping you avoid anxiety or confusion.

”Funeral cover for a parent can offer peace of mind, but some plans give poor value or have hidden exclusions. It’s worth comparing carefully to ensure the cover will do what’s needed when the time comes.“

—James Daley

Managing Director of Fairer Finance

Benefits and drawbacks of funeral plans

Funeral plans come with their own advantages and drawbacks.

Advantages of funeral cover

A funeral plan’s main advantage is that it allows you to pay in advance for your own funeral and specify your wishes. This generates further advantages: namely that both you and your family get peace of mind. You get peace of mind knowing you’ve tied up all the loose ends and you can just relax and enjoy life. Whereas your family gets peace of mind knowing that you’ve thought about what you want, specified it, and already covered the cost. This will allow them to focus on dealing with their grief rather than worrying about how they are going to find the money to cover your funeral costs.

Potential downsides to consider

The main disadvantage with a funeral plan is that it may not cover all aspects of the funeral service. The funds given to the funeral director cannot be used for any other purpose, as, when the time comes, the funeral director will use them directly to cover your funeral expenses. With that said, there’s only really one purpose that one would purchase a funeral plan: in order to pay funeral costs. So, whilst it is restrictive, it’s also part of the underlying purpose.

Another drawback with prepaid funeral plans is that, unless you are able to pay upfront or over the shorter term, you may find yourself paying in instalments on finance over a large number of years, which is more expensive in the long run.

Support and guidance when choosing a plan

There is support and guidance available to parents looking for funeral cover through the medium of a funeral plan. The UK government may offer support, and there are impartial sources of advice too.

Where to get advice on funeral cover

There are various sources of impartial advice that you can go to help you make better financial decisions about end-of-life planning matters. Consumer experts, like Martin Lewis, can help you to get good information. And research bodies like Funeral Solutions Expert and Fairer Finance can offer impartial ratings of different offerings from different providers, to help you get a clearer idea of how things stack up against each other.

You can also ask questions of funeral directors in person to get a sense of how good they’d be at realising your wishes. Financial advisors could also help you to make good decisions for your own financial situation.

Government and charity support for funeral costs

There are different forms of bereavement support available which could help to bring down funeral costs. Indeed, it may be possible to claim funeral costs back from the government in certain cases. The UK Government provides financial support to eligible families in the shape of the Funeral Expenses Payment and the Bereavement Support Payment.

Aside from the government, there are forms of support from charities. Organisations like Sue Ryder, Cruse Bereavement Support, and Quaker Social Action. You can possibly look to support directly with finances, or signpost towards other available funeral services.

When’s the best time to buy funeral cover?

Buying funeral cover earlier in life can make a real difference. Not just financially, but practically too. If you wait until serious health issues arise, certain insurance policies may become unavailable or more expensive. Prepaid funeral plans don’t require any medical questions, but with insurance-based cover, age and health can affect eligibility or premium rates.

If you’re thinking about funeral cover for a parent, acting sooner helps avoid complications and locks in lower prices.

Type	What It Is	Who Gets the Benefit	Flexibility
Prepaid Plan	Pay upfront for a specific funeral	Funeral provider	Covers funeral
Funeral Insurance	Pay monthly, cash paid out on death	Family/beneficiary	Money can be used for whatever needed
Over-50s Plan	Type of insurance with easy acceptance	Family/beneficiary	Payout can have limitations
Funeral Cover	General term for any of the above	Depends on product	varies

How to apply for funeral cover

In order to apply for a funeral plan, you will need to submit certain pieces of personal information along with your application. Information such as your name, address, date of birth, and the kind of funeral that you are looking for. You may need to pass a credit check, and you will also need to select a ‘Nominated Representative’ as part of the process. The purpose of the NR is to make sure, first and foremost, that someone other than you and the Funeral Director knows about the existence of the funeral plan. When the time comes, they will let the funeral director know that you have died, and your plan will be put into action.

When applying for an insurance product such as over-50’s life insurance, all of these things will be needed, and, depending on what insurance you are applying for, you may need to pass a medical. In some cases, if you are over a certain age, you will not be able to apply.

Aura for your funeral coverage needs

Thank you for reading this article about funeral cover for parents. Whilst funeral plans and insurance such as 0ver-50’s life cover is available also to those who are not parents, their benefits might be particularly useful to parents. That’s because they can unlock mutual peace of mind for you and your children.

Aura’s prepaid funeral plans are highly rated, low-cost, and compassionately delivered. Our Aura Angels are industry-leading arrangers of funerals and they will be there to guide you and your family every step of the way through the process. They can lend a hand in administrative, logistical and emotional matters, ensuring that you get the send off you deserve. What’s more is that we are family run: Paul Jameson set us up in 2019 alongside his son, David (our CEO), and Ben (our COO), a family friend. They set up Aura with one aim and one aim only: to bring compassionate end-of-life planning support to families up and down Great Britain, including assistance in taking out a funeral plan. Our commitment to that mission is as strong as ever, and that’s why we offer the families in our care the level of guidance and support that Paul would want for his own family.

If you’d like to see whether Aura could be the right funeral cover for you, why not download our brochure to find out more?

Get your free funeral planning brochure

Our brochure includes all the details you need surrounding our prepaid direct cremation funeral plans.

Get your free brochure sent by email or First Class post by clicking on the link below.

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FAQ

What does Martin Lewis say about funeral plans?

Martin Lewis advises people to compare funeral plans carefully. He recommends checking that the provider is regulated, understanding what’s included, and being aware of any exclusions or added costs. His guidance is to be cautious, well-informed, and to avoid plans that don’t offer clear value.

Can you claim funeral expenses for a parent?

Yes, you may be able to claim funeral expenses if you’re responsible for the arrangements and meet certain eligibility criteria. The government can help with some of the key costs, especially if you’re receiving specific benefits, though this support doesn’t usually cover everything.

How much will DWP pay for a funeral?

The Department for Work and Pensions can provide financial help toward a funeral, depending on your circumstances. This support typically covers essential elements like cremation or burial fees and may also contribute to related costs. The amount given depends on eligibility and what expenses are considered necessary.

What happens if no one plans your funeral?

If no one arranges your funeral, the local authority will step in to organise what’s known as a public health funeral. These are very basic services with no personal touches, often arranged without family present. Any money you leave behind may be used to cover the cost. This can mean your wishes aren’t known or followed, which is why many choose to plan ahead.

Can I buy funeral cover for someone else?

Yes, you can. You’re legally allowed to buy a funeral plan or insurance policy for a parent or another adult, provided they give consent.

For prepaid funeral plans:

The person you’re buying for must agree to be the planholder.
They may need to sign or verbally consent (recorded call) during the application.
Some providers allow full third-party applications if legal authority exists (e.g., Power of Attorney).
For funeral insurance:
Some policies require direct consent or proof that the insured person is aware and agrees.
You usually cannot take out a policy on someone else’s life without their involvement.

It’s always best to speak with the provider directly and check what’s required for a third-party arrangement.

How do I become the nominated representative?

When you take out a funeral plan with Aura, you’ll be asked to name a Nominated Representative (someone we can speak to when the time comes.) If you’re arranging the plan for a parent, this is typically you.

Being the NR means:

You’ll be notified when the plan is activated
You can speak to Aura on behalf of the planholder
You help ensure the funeral goes ahead as planned, without delays

You don’t need legal power of attorney to be the NR — just the planholder’s consent at the time of setup.

What will I need to apply on my parent’s behalf?

If you’re applying for a funeral plan or funeral insurance for a parent, you’ll usually need:

Their full name and date of birth
Address and contact details
Their consent, either written or verbal (depending on provider)
Your own details if you’re the one paying
Legal authority documents if you’re acting under Power of Attorney (POA)
For insurance: potentially health declarations (some over-50s policies are guaranteed acceptance, others aren’t)

What happens if your parent dies without cover?

If your parent dies without a funeral plan or insurance in place:

You or another family member may become financially responsible for the funeral costs.
If no family is available or able to pay, the local council will arrange a public health funeral — a basic cremation or burial without personalisation.
You may be eligible for government support, but it’s limited and needs-based.
Funeral providers like Aura can still help arrange a respectful, simple cremation at short notice — often without needing an in-person meeting.

Common misconceptions about covering a parent’s funeral

“My parent is too old to be covered.”
Most prepaid funeral plans have no upper age limit. Some insurance products do, but many accept people into their eighties and beyond.

“They have health problems – won’t that disqualify them?”
Prepaid plans never ask medical questions. Over-50s insurance sometimes does, but many policies offer guaranteed acceptance with no health check.

“I can’t afford to pay all at once.”
Both funeral plans and insurance often offer monthly instalments. Aura, for instance, allows payments over one or two years at no extra cost.

“If they die before finishing payments, we’ll lose everything.”
Not always. Some providers protect your plan after a certain number of payments, or allow full coverage after a qualifying period. Always ask before signing up.

Are prepaid funeral plans worth it?

Prepaid funeral plans can be worth it for those who want to take control, fix costs in advance, and spare their family from difficult decisions later on. They’re especially valuable if you want clarity and certainty around what will happen when the time comes. That said, it’s important to choose a regulated provider and understand exactly what the plan includes. Some may offer better value than others.

Is my parent too old to be covered?

Most prepaid funeral plans don’t have an upper age limit, and they don’t ask medical questions — so even older parents can usually be covered with ease. Over-50s life insurance may have age limits, but many providers accept people well into later life.

Can I manage the plan after they pass?

Yes. If you’re named as the Nominated Representative, you’ll be the point of contact when the time comes. You don’t need legal authority to do this, just consent from your parent at the time the plan is arranged. You’ll work directly with the provider to activate the plan and carry out their wishes.

What happens if they pass away before full payment?

That depends on the plan. Some funeral plans may still provide the service if a set number of payments have been made, while others might require the balance to be paid before proceeding. It’s important to check this when you take out the plan. Aura will always explain this clearly so there are no surprises later on.

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