INDEPENDENT WAY FUNERAL PLANS

A recent survey* showed that the average cost of a funeral in the UK soared by 10 percent over a twelve month period.  The same survey predicted that a funeral costing £2,500 today will have risen to a staggering £3,450 by the year 2012.(* ASLD Survey Mintel 2007)

So what can be done to secure a funeral at present day prices even though it may not take place for several years or possibly even decades?  The answer is our Independent Way Funeral Plan.

At Cambridge Funeral Services Ltd we have made it easy for our customers to buy their funeral in advance, thus providing them with a valuable hedge against inflation whilst at the same time allowing them major personal input into how they would like their funeral carried out.  

Once you have selected your funeral requirements and paid for your funeral plan you can be certain there will be no rise in the costs charged for our services.  The plan will also cover the cost of disbursements such as cremation or burial fees providing these do not rise at a higher rate than general inflation. 

WHY DO I NEED TO LEAVE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS?

You may have specific wishes and ideas for your own funeral and it is important to make these wishes known.  It is often easier leaving such instructions as part of a funeral plan than discussing them with your family.

Many clients now wish their funeral to follow a different format to the traditional religious service. We would be happy to provide information about alternatives.  One of our staff is a fully qualified Civil Funeral Celebrant who is able to offer a very personal ceremony which will include a specially written tribute to the deceased.  Such ceremonies can also include hymns and prayers if required.

 Our Independent Way Funeral Plan allows you to tailor your funeral to your exact requirements.  This means that you need only include those items that are important to you and can specifically exclude any services you would prefer us not to provide.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

As our plans are based on the individual needs of each client there is no set price.  We will gather information from you about your requirements and then provide a price for your personal plan.  

One of our staff would be pleased to meet with you to discuss your requirements.  This could be either at our premises or at your home whichever suits you best.  We do not make a charge for these initial visits.

Such an enquiry would place you under no obligation to make a purchase. In fact we would prefer you to take some time to give the matter consideration.  After all, this is probably one of the most important investments you will ever make.

WILL MY INVESTMENT BE SAFE?

Yes of course. Should you decide to purchase an Independent Way plan then your investment would be securely held in a Trust Fund until such time as the money was needed to settle your funeral expenses.  Should you wish to cancel your plan you may do so at any time and will you receive back all your original investment less an administration fee of £155.

CAN I PAY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME?

All it takes to secure your plan is a deposit of £155.  You may then pay the balance in a single payment or, if you wish, by easy instalments over any period up to 60 months.

If you are under the age of 70 then this payment period can be extended over a period of up to 10 years.

There are no extra charges if you complete your payments, as per the payment schedule, within 12 months of purchasing your plan. Interest charges are added to purchases over longer periods than 12 months and we would be happy to provide you with details of these.

WHAT IF I MOVE AWAY FROM CAMBRIDGE?  CAN I TAKE MY PLAN WITH ME?

No problem. We will help you find another Independent Funeral Director near your new home and will arrange the transfer of your instructions to them.

It should be remembered however that the price charged for your plan will have been calculated using the fees for funerals in the Cambridge area.  As charges for both burial and cremation vary throughout the country you may be asked for an additional ‘top up’ payment to cover these if such costs in the area to which you are moving are significantly higher.