Planning ahead for a funeral can ease both emotional and financial pressure on loved ones when the time comes. A funeral plan lets you pay in advance for key services, fixing today’s prices and ensuring arrangements are in place. But are these plans always worth it?
Who is Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert?
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, has long examined funeral plans and their pros and cons.
His advice is widely trusted, but like many financial products, funeral plans are not one-size-fits-all. In this article, we explain Martin Lewis’ views, break down what’s included, and provide our own perspective, including how providers like our partner Golden Leaves compare.
What does Martin Lewis say about funeral plans?
Martin Lewis’ team at Money Saving Expert offer a one-page guide on funeral plans. They look at what is included in today’s prepaid funeral plans, whether paying for your funeral in advance this way is worth it and 6 ‘need to knows’ if you're considering buying one.
At a Glance
• Best value Funeral Plans: Pay upfront in full, or within 12 months interest-free.
• Grey areas: Moving house, care cost assessments, and plans with restrictions can complicate things.
• When not worth it: If paying puts you in debt, if instalments stretch too long, or if the plan doesn’t provide the funeral you want.
• Martin Lewis’ key point: Don’t sign up unless you understand the exclusions and can either pay in one go or over 12 months (interest-free).
Martin Lewis’ Advice in Detail (Side-by-Side Comparison)
| Category |
Martin Lewis' Advice |
Explanation |
| When they’re worth it |
✅ Pay upfront in full, or within 12 months interest-free |
You get the best value by avoiding instalment fees. |
| |
✅ Your family would struggle to organise or fund your funeral |
A plan removes financial and practical pressure at a difficult time. |
| |
✅ There’s unlikely to be enough money left in your estate |
The plan ensures essential costs are covered even if your estate is small. |
| When it’s a grey area |
⚠️ You move house within the UK |
Most providers allow a change of funeral director, but fees may apply. |
| When they’re not worth it |
❌ Paying puts you in debt |
It makes little sense to borrow or overstretch finances for a funeral plan. |
Funeral Costs: What to Expect
| Funeral Type |
Average Cost (2025) |
Notes |
| Direct cremation (unattended) |
£1,597+ |
No service, unattended cremation only. |
| Standard cremation |
£3,800+ |
Includes service and third-party fees. |
| Burial |
£5,500+ |
Varies widely depending on location and burial plot. |
Notes: According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, the average cost of a direct cremation is now £1,597, while a simple attended funeral averages £4,285. Burials remain the most expensive option. Once you add send-off costs and professional fees, the total ‘cost of dying’ in the UK has risen to £9,797.
Important to Know
• FCA regulation: Since July 2022, all prepaid funeral plans must be regulated by the FCA, giving customers more protection.
• Instalments: Paying monthly can spread the cost but usually adds fees, making the total higher.
• What’s not included: Most plans don’t cover flowers, embalming, catering, or headstones.
• Refunds: Most providers offer a 30-day cooling-off period for a full refund; after that, cancellation fees may apply.