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Funeral plans for under 50s: Guide Summary

  • A funeral plan lets you arrange and pay for key funeral services in advance
  • Benefits can include peace of mind for you and your family, locking in today’s funeral prices and flexible payment options
  • Prices start from around £1,500 or £20 - £30 a month, depending on the type of funeral and provider
  • As someone under 50, it’s important to compare both funeral plans and life insurance to help you decide which option best suits your needs

Do you need a funeral plan before 50?

A funeral plan is a good idea for people aged under 50 who want to ensure financial security for their loved ones in the future.

While a funeral may seem a long way off, planning ahead can provide peace of mind, help reduce stress for family and potentially protect against rising costs.

In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about funeral plans for under 50s, including the benefits and drawbacks, how they compare to life insurance and what to look for when choosing a plan. 

What is a funeral plan?

A funeral plan is an arrangement with a funeral provider that allows you to plan and pay for your own funeral in advance. 

It’s an affordable way to help protect loved ones from the financial and practical aspects of a funeral.

A plan covers a range of key services for either a cremation or burial, such as:

  • Funeral director services
  • Support with all the necessary funeral arrangements
  • Collection, care and preparation of the deceased
  • Third party fees such as cremation or burial fees (or a contribution towards these)
  • A hearse
  • A coffin

Depending on the provider and your budget, you can pay for a plan in a single lump sum or in monthly payments.

The cost is fixed at today’s rates, regardless of when the plan is used in the future.

What age can you start a funeral plan?

Some providers allow you to start a prepaid funeral plan at any age, while others set a minimum age of 18.

Although funeral plans are more common among older age groups, you don’t need to wait until after 50 to make arrangements. You can take out a plan whenever it feels right for you.

Once your plan is in place, there’s no time limit on when it can be used. Your chosen services will be covered when the time comes, provided the plan terms have been met.

Why consider a funeral plan under 50?

Reasons to buy a funeral plan under 50 can include:

  1. Lock-in the cost of your funeral 

    One of the biggest reasons to take out a funeral plan earlier in life is to help protect against rising funeral costs. Since 2004, the cost of a traditional funeral has increased by 146%[1]. As a result, many people worry about the impact of higher prices in the future. Taking out a plan at a younger age allows you to lock-in today’s prices and could mean greater savings for your family when the time comes.
     

  2. Peace of mind 

    A funeral plan can offer peace of mind that your family won’t have to cover expensive funeral services or make difficult decisions about your send-off during an emotional time. 
     

  3. Plan the funeral your way 

    Having a funeral plan in place can give you more control over your own funeral arrangements. Whether you’d prefer a direct cremation, traditional cremation or burial, a plan helps ensure that your final wishes are carried out. It also allows you to leave clear instructions for those closest to you reducing confusion over how you’d like remembered. 
     

  4. Guaranteed acceptance

    Unlike life insurance, acceptance for a funeral plan isn’t based on your health or lifestyle. As long as you’re a UK resident, aged 18 or over with most providers, and you don’t already have a plan in place, arranging your chosen plan should be quick and straightforward.
     

  5. Spread the cost

    Taking out a plan earlier in life means you can choose to spread the cost over a longer period. This makes the monthly payments more manageable, especially spread over the maximum payment term available (usually 10 to 25 years depending on the provider).

How much does a funeral plan under 50 cost?

A funeral plan typically costs between £1,500 and £5,000 or from £20 - £30 a month depending on the type of funeral and provider.

The more services included, and the more personalised the arrangements, the more expensive the plan is likely to be.

The table below shows some example prices for different funeral plan providers:

 Co-opDignityGolden CharterGolden Leaves
Direct cremation plans (unattended funeral)£1,700£1,899£1,950£1,700
Simple plans£2,995N/AN/A£2,449
Standard plans£3,685£3,850£3,800£3,725
Mid-level plans£3,975£4,409N/AN/A
Top-level plans£4,160£4,967£4,150£4,135

The information in this table was taken from the separate providers websites and is accurate as of 17/06/2026

Payment options

Funeral plan providers often offer flexible payment options to suit different budgets:

  • Pay in one lump sum
  • Pay over 6 or 12 months (no extra fees applied to the cost)
  • Pay over 2 or more years, up to a maximum of 10 - 25 years depending on the provider and type of plan (instalment fees usually apply)

If paying over the maximum payment term available, payments for someone under 50 can start from around £20 - £30 a month.

As prices vary between different providers, it’s important to compare several options to help you find a plan that suits your specific budget and needs.

What are the drawbacks of funeral plans for under 50s?

While it can be beneficial to take out a funeral plan early in life, there are some potential disadvantages to consider.

  • Other financial commitments

    In your 20s, 30s or 40s, you may have other important expenses to manage, such as mortgage payments, loans, childcare and household bills. You may also be saving for the future or building your pension, which could limit how much you have available to put towards a funeral plan.

  • Your circumstances may change over the years

    A change in your circumstances could mean that the plan is no longer suitable for your needs. While it’s possible to make certain changes to a plan, this could come with an additional cost.

  • Instalment fees may be added

    If you pay by monthly instalments over a longer period, then this may incur additional fees and increase the total cost of the funeral plan.

  • Life insurance could be cheaper

    If you’re in good health, then life insurance could be cheaper than a funeral plan in the long term and could provide a larger pay out for your family to help cover funeral costs and other expenses when the time comes

Funeral plan or life insurance under 50?

Funeral plans are often associated with those who are older and planning for later life, while life insurance is often associated with growing families and buying a home.

For people under 50, it’s worth exploring both options to decide which is better for you and your loved ones.

We compare the key differences below:

Funeral plans under 50

  • Designed specifically to help cover a funeral
  • Funeral services are arranged in advance
  • Guarantees to cover pre-agreed services when you pass away (as long as payment terms are met)
  • No medical or lifestyle questions (acceptance is usually guaranteed)
  • Flexible payment options (pay in full or in monthly instalments)

Life insurance under 50

  • Designed to help provide all-encompassing financial protection for loved ones
  • Pays out a cash lump sum if you pass away which can be used for a range of financial needs, such as mortgage, bills, debts and/or funeral costs
  • Requires your medical and lifestyle details when you apply to determine eligibility and monthly cost

At Reassured, we’re not able to offer funeral plans, but we can help you arrange life insurance from just 20p a day

Our service is fee-free and without obligation, so get in touch for your quote.

Which are the best funeral plans for under 50s?

The best funeral plans for people under 50 will depend on the type of funeral you’d like and how much you want to spend.

According to expert ratings, some of the best traditional funeral plans include:

According to expert ratings, some of the best traditional funeral plans include:

  1. Co-op Funeralcare - Gold
  2. Dignity – A Funeral with a Service
  3. Co-op Funeralcare – Silver
  4. Golden Charter – Select
  5. Golden Charter – Traditional way

And some of the best direct cremation plans include:

  1. Aura – Unattended direct cremation
  2. Celebration of Life Planning – Direct cremation
  3. Memoria Funerals – Direct cremation
  4. With Grace – Direct cremation
  5. Choice – Unattended cremation

How to compare funeral plans for under 50s

With many funeral plan options available, it’s not always easy to compare all the features and benefits of each.

However, there are some key details to look out for when shopping around:

  • Flexibility of the plan – check if you can make changes easily and if there’s any cost involved when doing so (for example, moving your plan to a different funeral director)
  • Third-party fees – Some plans cover essential third party fees, such as cremation or burial fees and doctors’ fees, while others provide a contribution towards these
  • Location/time and date – cheaper plans often don’t allow you to choose the location or time and date of the funeral service
  • Provider – Some providers are better established than others. Checking customer reviews, expert ratings and awards can help you determine if they’re a good choice
  • Cancellation fees – some providers charge a fee (usually between £100 - £350) if you cancel after 30 days, while others don’t charge a fee at all if you cancel any time

Funeral plans for under 50s FAQs

Are fixed monthly funeral plans under 50 worth it?

Funeral plans with fixed monthly payments could be worth considering for people under 50.

Spreading the cost over a set period may feel more manageable than paying upfront. 

However, monthly payments can include instalment fees, which may increase the total cost of the plan. This means you could end up paying more than what the funeral is worth.

If you’re under 50 and working to a budget, life insurance could be an affordable alternative (depending on your health and lifestyle).

What are cheap prepaid funeral plans under 50 with guaranteed acceptance?

Cheap prepaid funeral plans under 50 with guaranteed acceptance include direct cremation plans, also known as unattended cremation plans.

Prices start from around £1,500 in full or from £20 a month depending on the provider. This is the cheapest type of plan as it doesn’t include a funeral service for the family to attend.

A direct cremation funeral plan usually covers the following services:

  • Collection, care and preparation of the deceased
  • Cremation fees
  • A coffin
  • Delivery of ashes

Can you get a funeral plan under 40?

Yes, you can get a funeral plan under the age of 40. 

As mentioned, funeral plans are available to all UK residents, with most providers accepting those aged 18 or over.

However, it’s important to compare the cost and benefits of funeral plans with life insurance to help you decide which option is best for you.

Life insurance for under 40s can start from as little as 20p a day through Reassured.