Prepaid
Funerals
Most of us as we get older expect to provide the money to
meet our funeral expenses. We are not morbid. It's to do
with independence and responsibility. Leaving everything
in order for our relatives and friends. We don't often talk
about it - because there's no need to- but the fact is that
funeral cost money, and we want to take care of the cost.
Throughout our lives we make plans for the future. We
plan for the security of our family and our retirement.
So it makes sense to plan for the one thing none of us
can avoid.
A pre-paid funeral plan allows you to select
and pay for a funeral in advance.
Why choose the James McMullan and Son
funeral plan?
Our funeral plans has the following practical benefits:
- You can choose your own funeral arrangements, for
your own peace of mind
- You will save your family from having to make difficult
decisions, trying to guess what you would have wanted,
at such a distressing time.
- You can choose a set plan or we can tailor every detail
exactly as you want it.
- Your relatives will be spared a financial burden,
at what could be a difficult and distressing time for
them.
- The service will be provided by us an independent
funeral director with an established reputation. If
you move home you can transfer your plan through a network
of professional firms across the country.
- Financial security - the funeral payment is held
in Funeral Planning Trust until it is needed, with HSBC
Trust Company (UK) Limited as Custodian Trustee
- Your plan can be purchased with a once-only payment
or by instalments - whichever suits you best.
- There is no age limit and there are no questions
about your health.
- You can cancel your plan and get your money back
if you are not satisfied with your plan guarantee
Questions customers often ask about
our funeral plan
How much does it cost?
Naturally this will depend on the type of service you
want - the price you pay is today's price for that funeral.
We offer a choice of plans or we can tailor something
to meet your individual requirements - you don't have
to make any commitment before you know the total price
involved.
What if the cost of funerals increases?
Like most things funerals are affected by inflation and
the cost of funerals will almost certainly increase before
you need one - but once you have paid the full plan price
there will never be any further charges for the funeral
director's services specified, with the possible exception
of VAT (see below). This is the most important benefit
of the James McMullan and Son Funeral Plan, and why so
many people are choosing this option.
How do I know that my money will be safe?
We will ask you to make your cheque payable to the Funeral
Planning Trust, which is quite independent of the funeral
director's accounts, to be held and invested by the managing
trustees in accordance with the trust deed. HSBC Trust
Company (UK) Limited is the custodian trustee of the Funeral
Planning Trust. The plans are administered by Funeral
Planning Services, a national company specialising in
funeral prepayment plans. At the time of the funeral your
selected funeral director will provide the service as
itemised in return for a payment from the Funeral Planning
Trust.
Do you pay interest?
No. A guaranteed funeral plan is not an investment or
an insurance policy - it is simply a way of paying in
advance for the funeral service. As the value of the Funeral
Planning Trust increases over the years, so the money
available to pay the funeral director will increase to
compensate for rising costs. But as far as you, the customer
is concerned your funeral is paid for.
Will there be any other costs at the time of
the funeral?
Each plan also covers other expenses e.g. cemetery or
crematorium fee, doctors' fees etc. (known as disbursements)
up to the maximum amount specified. These costs cannot
be guaranteed, so they may need to be "topped up"
at the time. Relatives often find it helpful to be involved
with the funeral in this way, without having to cope with
a bill for the entire service. Your funeral director will
advise you on how much to allow.
What about VAT?
Funerals are not subject to VAT so you don't have to pay
VAT on your plan. However, if a future government does introduce
VAT on funerals; Funeral Planning Services will advise you
of the options. We don't think VAT will be introduced on
funerals, but we wanted to let you know about all potential
costs.
Can I buy a plan for someone else?
Yes. Please mention this when you order. Funeral Planning
Services will send the correspondence to a different address
if you wish. All orders are treated in confidence.
How do I pay for my plan?
Most people prefer to make one payment, so they don't
have to think about it any more. You can give your funeral
director a cheque (payable to the Funeral Planning Trust)
or cash with your order form.
Can I pay by instalments?
If you are not in a position to pay the full amount you
can make payments in advance towards a plan. You can take
as long as you like to pay, or pay it off quickly if you
prefer. Payments can be made by cheque (posted to Funeral
Planning Services), or by standing order. If you would
like further information on this point please call the
Funeral Planning Services advice-line on 0800 41 30 46.
What if I die away from home?
Each plan necessarily includes removal within Northern
Ireland to our premises; please ask if you are not sure
whether this will be sufficient. We strongly recommend
that you take out travel medical insurance when you go
on holiday, which should include the cost of bringing
you back home if necessary.
What if I move home?
If you leave Northern Ireland we can transfer your plan
to another qualified funeral director. Funeral costs do
vary from one area to another, and you will be advised
of any change in cost at that stage.
What if I change my mind later?
Once you have purchased your plan you will probably want
to forget all about it - no doubt you've got lots of more
interesting things to think about! However with the James
McMullan and Son Funeral Plan you have the absolute right
to change your mind, at any time. If you wish to cancel
your plan, simply return your plan documents and your
money will be returned in full. No time limit, no exclusions
and no fuss. Very few people take this option, but it
is reassuring to know that you can get your money back
if you want to.
Please contact us if you have
any other questions not covered above.
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