Our funeral director’s services will be covered in your funeral plan, which means our fees will be fixed at today’s prices and protected against rising costs. These services typically include:

·       Professional services and making arrangements for the funeral

·       Transportation of the deceased from the place of death to our premises, chapel of rest or other suitable location

·       Care of the deceased and preparations for family viewing if requested

·       Advice on the certification and registration of death and related documentation

·       Provision of funeral vehicles

·       Advice on bereavement counselling

·       Coffin or casket requested

Although a pre-paid funeral plan can cover all of the services above, there are some additional third party costs to consider. These are the costs for essential, non-funeral director services required to carry out a cremation or burial which need to be paid at the time of the funeral. These costs are outside our control. Depending on the plan type chosen, a Golden Charter funeral plan can include a contribution towards some third party costs. They may include:

·       Crematorium fee

·       Minister or officiant’s fee

·       Cemetery fee: the opening of a new or existing grave for burial or interment of cremated remains

Other third party costs that may be associated with a funeral include:

·       Purchase of grave or lair

·       Hire of church or other venue

·       Fees for organist or soloist

·       Memorial, such as a headstone, entry in a book of remembrance, or the planting of a tree

·       Catering, floral tributes and newspaper announcements

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. 

However, even if prices rise in the future, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing there’ll be nothing more to pay for our funeral director's services included in the plan once your plan is fully paid for – guaranteed.

With a Golden Charter funeral plan, you can pay for your plan in several ways. Spread the cost or make a one-off payment – simply choose the one that’s right for you. We will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

The retail price of your funeral plan is representative of the equivalent cost of a funeral today plus an arrangement fee of £325 which is retained by Golden Charter to help cover the costs of setting up your plan.

Your payments are held within the Golden Charter Trust. With almost £1.2 billion under management (3) the Trust is operated by a Board of Trustees, completely independent of Golden Charter. Their role is to hold your payments and ensure that the funeral director services in your plan can be paid for at the time they are required – however far into the future that may be. For more information on how your payments are protected, please visit goldencharter.co.uk/faqs

As a Golden Charter plan holder, you’ll receive personalised plan documents, which include a summary of your plan, our details, your plan holder certificate and a personal membership card for you to carry in your purse or wallet. You can add a nominated representative to your plan if you wish to do so. Your nominated representative will receive a letter which will provide details of your plan and our details, as your chosen funeral director. They will have no authority to make changes to your plan.

You’ll also receive a statement from Golden Charter every three years which will be sent via your preferred contact method.

As your funeral director, we’ll hold full details of your funeral plan. When the time comes, one phone call is all it takes to activate your plan and get the arrangements underway.

When you’re thinking about something as important as your funeral, it makes sense to talk to the experts. As a trusted local funeral director, we’ll take care of every aspect of your plan in a personal way, taking time to understand your needs and find a plan that suits you exactly.

As well as the comfort of having a plan in place, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with being able to help save your family from worry and expense in the future. 

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.

D. Moodie & Co. trading as D. Moodie & Co. (Barrhead) Ltd & D. Moodie & Co. (Paisley) 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).