In this article:

Dignity is a leading provider of funeral services and prepaid funeral plans, with a network of owned and approved funeral directors across the UK.

But are Dignity funeral plans any good?

In this review, we explore the pros and cons of their plans, as well as look at costs, customer reviews and ratings to help you make an informed decision.

Reassured summary icon

Dignity funeral plans [key points]

  • Dignity has more than 700 funeral homes across the UK
  • Their funeral plan service is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • Dignity is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars (‘Excellent’) on Trustpilot from over 60 reviews
  • Plan prices start from £1,899 for direct cremation and from £3,850 for a traditional funeral
  • You can choose to pay in one lump sum or in monthly instalments
  • Dignity guarantees to cover your funeral if you pass away within 24 months after taking out your plan, even if you’ve not completed your payments

What is a Dignity funeral plan and how does it work?

A Dignity funeral plan lets you arrange and pay for your funeral services in advance.

Here’s how it works:

  1. You choose the type of funeral you’d like, then pay either in a lump sum or by monthly instalments to Dignity
  2. Your money is kept safe in an independent trust until your plan is needed
  3. When you pass away the money you’ve paid is used towards the services agreed in your plan
  4. Your chosen Dignity funeral director will coordinate your funeral

Dignity offers both bespoke and premade plans to suit different needs and budgets.

Every plan allows you to leave instructions for your loved ones and add monetary contributions towards aspects such as the music, flowers and memorial, helping to ensure the service reflects your wishes.

However, their bespoke plan offers more flexibility, allowing you to personalise each element of the funeral.

Dignity funeral plans quick summary

The tables below show pricing, expert ratings and descriptions for each Dignity funeral plan:

Bespoke plans

Plan

Price

Defaqto

Description

A funeral with a service

From £3,850

5/5 stars

Covers a traditional cremation or burial funeral with an attended service. You can tailor each element so that the plan is entirely unique to you, including where you’d like the service to be held and the type of coffin. You can make extra contributions to help cover more costs for loved ones

A funeral without a service

From £1,899

3/5 stars

Covers a direct cremation only. It doesn’t include a funeral service, but there are some options to personalise the plan. For example, you can choose what happens to your ashes and contribute towards a memorial

Premade plans

PlanPrice Defaqto Fairer Finance Description
Direct cremationFrom £1,8993/5 stars1/5 starsIncludes all the essential services for a direct cremation. It doesn’t include a funeral service, but there are some options to personalise the plan. For example, you can contribute towards a memorial
EssenceFrom £3,8503/5 stars3/5 starsCovers a simple cremation or burial funeral with a service led by family members. You can personalise the service with special requests and monetary contributions towards extra products and services
GraceFrom £4,4093/5 stars4/5 stars

Covers a traditional cremation or burial funeral with a service led by a minister or celebrant.

Includes one limousine. You can make special requests and add monetary contributions towards extra products and services

SignatureFrom £4,9673/5 stars4/5 stars

The most comprehensive plan, covering a traditional cremation or burial funeral with a minister led service.

Also includes embalming and two limousines. Like with the other plans, you can make special requests for the service and add monetary contributions

Dignity funeral plans reviews: What do customers think?

Finding out what customers think can help you decide if a Dignity funeral plan is right for you.

Trustpilot Trustscore: 4.6 out of 5 stars (‘Excellent’)

Dignity customer reviews are generally positive, with most reviewers scoring the provider 5 out of 5 stars (as of September 2026).

In the review summary it says that many customers thought Dignity’s service was professional, compassionate and respectful.

Dignity customer survey

Recent results for Dignity’s own customer feedback survey show that:

  • 99.6% of customers felt that staff listened to their needs and wishes
  • 99.1% agreed that staff were compassionate and caring
  • 98.9% said that Dignity met or exceeded their expectations

What’s included in a plan?

What’s included in a Dignity funeral plan will depend on the type of funeral it covers and how you choose to personalise it.

However, all Dignity plans include the following products and services:

  • Funeral director services for arranging and carrying out the services for the funeral
  • Collection and transportation of the deceased within 50 miles
  • Care and preparation of the deceased
  • Family viewing at the chapel of rest
  • Bereavement advice and support for family members
  • Coffin
  • Support from a UK-based client service centre
  • Cremation fees for a direct cremation or cremation plan, or burial fees for a burial plan

Compare Dignity funeral plans

Here’s a comparison table of the premade funeral plans that Dignity offer, so you can easily see the differences between what each plan covers for the prices shown:

 Direct cremationEssenceGraceSignature
Price£1,899£3,850£4,409£4,967
Choice between cremation or burial Cross circle Icon green tick Icon green tick Icon green tick
Choice of date, time and location Cross circle Icon green tick Icon green tick Icon green tick
Minister or celebrant Cross circle Cross circle Icon green tick Icon green tick
Coffin Icon green tick Basic Icon green tick Wood effect Icon green tick Wood effect Icon green tick Wood effect satin finish
Limousine Cross circle Cross circle Icon green tick x1 Icon green tick x2
Funeral procession Cross circle Icon green tick Icon green tick Icon green tick
Cremation fees Icon green tick Icon green tick Icon green tick Icon green tick
Burial fees Cross circle Icon green tick Icon green tick Icon green tick

Dignity funeral plans payment options

Dignity offers two ways to pay for your funeral plan:

  • Pay in one lump sum when you take out the plan for immediate cover
  • Spread the cost in monthly instalments over 5 years (providing that payments end before your 85th birthday). You’ll be fully covered after 24 months.

Unlike some other providers, Dignity won’t charge you additional fees when paying by instalments.

What is the Dignity Promise?

If you pay by instalments and pass away 24 months after taking out the plan, but before the plan has been paid in full, Dignity promises to cover the remaining balance.

Provided that your payments are up to date and you pass away after the 24 month period, they will still arrange and conduct your funeral in accordance with your plan.

This benefit is offered by most funeral plan providers as extra financial protection for those left behind.

Dignity funeral plans pros and cons

Pros

  • Bespoke options allow you to customise your funeral according to your wishes and budget
  • Dignity funeral director services and burial or cremation fees are guaranteed at today’s price
  • There are no instalment fees if you choose to spread the cost over 5 years
  • There’s no charge if you move to a new area and change Dignity funeral directors
  • Your money is held safely in an independent trust until it’s needed for your funeral
  • The services included in your plan are guaranteed to be covered after 24 months with the Dignity Promise
  • Dignity is a long-established leading funeral provider with excellent customer reviews
  • All Dignity funeral directors are accredited by the National Association of Funeral Directors

Cons

  • Some funeral plan providers offer longer instalment periods, allowing you to spread the cost in more manageable monthly payments
  • Not all costs are guaranteed at today’s price. If you make any monetary contributions towards extra elements, these may not cover the full cost when the time comes, meaning your family may need to pay the difference
  • If you cancel your plan after the 30 day cooling off period, a £300 cancellation fee may apply
  • As Dignity plans can be personalised, prices can vary significantly depending on what you choose to include
  • For some people who want to help cover a future funeral, taking out over 50s life insurance could be cheaper and easier than arranging a prepaid funeral plan

Review conclusion

Dignity funeral plans may be suitable if you have specific wishes and would like to arrange a unique send-off in advance.

Dignity offers a good level of flexibility and personalisation, allowing you to tailor many aspects of your funeral.

However, choosing more personalisation could increase the overall cost of your plan.

Furthermore, some costs which are covered through contributions (for example if you choose to pay extra towards music or flowers) may not be fully covered when the funeral takes place. 

If prices for extra elements have risen by then, any shortfall would need to be covered by your family. 

Comparing various funeral plans can help you determine which offers the best value for money and includes all the services you’d like for your funeral.

Dignity funeral plans FAQs

How do Dignity funeral plans protect my family financially?

A Dignity funeral plan can help you protect your family financially by allowing you to pay for your key funeral services in advance.

Once you’ve paid for your plan in full or made at least 24 monthly payments, Dignity guarantees to provide the services included in your plan when the time comes.

This can ease the financial burden on your family, as they won’t need to pay for the services themselves.

How much do Dignity funeral plans cost?

The exact cost of a Dignity funeral plan will depend on various factors such as:

  • Whether you choose a bespoke or premade plan
  • The type of funeral it includes (direct cremation, cremation or burial)
  • Which products and services you choose to include
  • Whether you add monetary contributions towards special requests

Below are the prices for their plans without any extras or upgrades included.

Bespoke plans

A funeral with a service – from £3,850

A funeral without a service – from £1,899

Premade plans

Direct cremation (no funeral service) – from £1,899

Essence - from £3,850

Grace - from £4,409

Signature - from £4,967

What isn’t covered by a Dignity prepaid funeral plan?

A Dignity funeral plan doesn't cover the cost of the following as standard:

  • Doctors’ fees
  • Burial plot
  • Memorial or headstone
  • Catering/wake
  • Repatriation from outside the UK
  • Removing artificial limbs and mechanisms, such as pacemakers

Other costs may not be covered depending on the plan you choose. Please refer to the terms and conditions of your plan for further information.

Are dignity funeral plans safe?

Yes, Dignity is a safe and reliable company with over 200 years of experience providing funeral services in the UK.

Their funeral plan service is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring that your money is protected in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong.

Can you cancel a Dignity funeral plan?

Yes, you can cancel a funeral plan at any time.

Dignity will refund all the money you’ve paid if you cancel within 30 days from taking out the plan.

However, if you cancel after 30 days, a £300 cancellation fee will apply. This fee will be deducted from the amount refunded to you.