Avalon Funeral Plan review
Avalon funeral plans are accepted by a network of independent funeral directors and include options that can be used in the UK and certain European countries, making them suitable for people with second homes or plans to move abroad. This review outlines Avalon’s plans, payment options, security, key benefits and limitations to help you decide if it is the right funeral plan for you.
Advertisement
Compare Funeral Plans
Important Update (2026)
Avalon Funeral Plans is now part of Golden Leaves Funeral Plans, forming one of the largest independent funeral plan providers across the UK and Europe.
Existing Avalon customers continue to be supported as normal.
New funeral plans are now provided by Golden Leaves rather than Avalon.
This means Avalon is no longer actively selling new plans, but remains relevant for understanding existing plans and the wider group offering.
Avalon Funeral Plans – At a Glance
Overview
Avalon has been established for over 20 years and is best known for its flexible funeral plans designed for people living between the UK and Europe. Plans can be used in countries including Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and the Canary Islands.
However, while the geographic flexibility is a clear strength, the plans themselves are more basic in structure, particularly when it comes to third-party cost coverage.
Avalon Funeral Plans: At a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot rating | 4.9★ (4,400+ reviews) |
| Regulation | FCA regulated |
| Plan types | Standard, Plus, Premier |
| Key strength | European cover and dual-location flexibility |
| Key limitation | £1,000 contribution to third-party costs |
| Payment options | Upfront, 6–12 months (interest-free), or instalments (1–15 years) |
| Current status | No longer selling new plans |
Customer Reviews
Avalon has very strong customer feedback, with a Trustpilot rating of 4.9★ from over 4,400 reviews.
Customers consistently highlight professional, knowledgeable staff, clear and pressure-free explanations, and a smooth and straightforward sign-up process.
It is worth noting that most reviews relate to the purchase and setup experience, rather than the service delivered at the time of a funeral.
While most online reviews relate to the buying experience rather than the funeral itself, Avalon consistently receives positive feedback for its knowledgeable advisers, straightforward explanations and lack of sales pressure.
What’s Included
Avalon offers three core plans, with increasing levels of service including funeral director services, coffin, hearse and a contribution towards third-party costs.
What’s Not Included (Important)
Avalon plans are not fully comprehensive. Only £1,000 is allocated to third-party costs, and additional fees such as cremation, officiant and other services may exceed this amount. As a result, families may need to cover additional costs at the time of need.
Payment Options Explained
Customers can pay upfront or over 6–12 months without additional fees, or choose longer-term instalments (1–15 years), which increase the total cost over time.
The Avalon Promise ensures that if you pass away after 12 months of payments and are up to date, the funeral services will still be provided.
How Safe Are Avalon Funeral Plans?
Avalon plans are FCA regulated, with funds held in an independent trust, separate from company finances. Following integration with Golden Leaves, the combined group serves over 150,000 customers with significant funds held in trust, providing additional financial stability.
Key Benefits
- European and UK coverage
- Suitable for expats and second-home owners
- Strong customer satisfaction
- Joint plans available
- Free transport within mainland UK
Potential Drawbacks
- Limited third-party cost cover
- Not all funeral costs are guaranteed
- Smaller funeral director network
- Potential additional costs for families
Is an Avalon funeral plan right for you?
Whether an Avalon funeral plan is the right choice depends largely on your circumstances and what you want from a prepaid funeral plan.
For existing Avalon customers, there is little reason for concern. Following Avalon becoming part of the Golden Leaves group, existing plans continue to be honoured and customers remain supported under their original arrangements. If you already have an Avalon funeral plan, you do not need to take any action unless your personal details or funeral wishes have changed.
One of Avalon’s biggest strengths has always been its international focus. Unlike many UK funeral plan providers, Avalon developed plans specifically for people who divide their time between the UK and parts of Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and the Canary Islands. This made the provider particularly attractive to retirees living abroad or those planning to relocate overseas.
However, if you are buying a funeral plan for the first time today, you will now be directed towards Golden Leaves, which offers the current range of plans within the same group. It is therefore worth comparing Golden Leaves with other leading providers to ensure you choose the plan that best suits your budget and the type of funeral you would like.
When comparing funeral plans, don't focus solely on price. It's equally important to consider what services are guaranteed, how third-party costs are covered, the payment options available and the provider's reputation for customer service. Reading independent customer reviews and comparing several providers side by side can help you make a more informed decision.
If you are specifically looking for a funeral plan that can accommodate both UK and European arrangements, Avalon’s legacy plans remain among the best-known examples of this type of cover. For everyone else, a modern Golden Leaves plan may provide a wider choice of options while offering the reassurance of being part of the same organisation.
Who Should Consider Avalon?
Existing customers may value reassurance and continuity. New customers will now be directed towards Golden Leaves, which provides the current range of funeral plans within the same group.
If you are considering a funeral plan today, it is worth comparing Golden Leaves, which now offers the full range of plans within the same group and represents the current option for new customers.
Verdict
Avalon is no longer a standalone choice for new funeral plans. It now forms part of the Golden Leaves group, strengthening long-term stability while shifting new customers towards a different provider within the same organisation.
Its strong customer satisfaction and international flexibility remain clear strengths, but plans are less comprehensive, particularly around third-party costs.
Although Avalon is no longer available for new customers, it remains an important brand within the funeral planning market because of its long-standing reputation and specialist European offering. Existing customers can continue to have confidence in their plans, while new customers may wish to compare the latest Golden Leaves plans alongside other leading providers before making a decision.
Bottom Line
Avalon is best understood as a well-regarded legacy funeral plan provider within the Golden Leaves group, with strong customer service but more limited cost coverage.
