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. |
| |
✅ Funeral prices are likely to rise
|
Plans lock in today’s prices, protecting you from inflation. |
| |
✅ You want a cremation in an expensive area |
Many plans guarantee cremation fees, which can be higher in some regions.
|
| When it’s a grey area |
⚠️ You move house within the UK |
Most providers allow a change of funeral director, but fees may apply.
|
| |
⚠️ You’re assessed for care costs |
Councils may treat the money spent on a plan as an asset, therefore reducing your eligibility for support.
|
|
When they’re not worth it
|
❌ Paying puts you in debt
|
It makes little sense to borrow or overstretch finances for a funeral plan.
|
| |
❌ Paying over too many years
|
You may end up spending more than the funeral is worth.
|
| |
❌ You plan to move abroad
|
Most plans only cover funerals in the UK. |
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, with direct burials (excluding the cost of a plot) averaging £1,527. 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.
Compare Funeral Plans
Our View on Funeral Plans
Based on our reviews and Martin Lewis’ advice, we suggest:
• Always choose an FCA-regulated provider.
• Check the instalment terms very carefully so you understand the full costs of the plan you choose. A one-off payment is usually cheapest, most plans offer an interest-free option if you pay off the cost of the plan over 12 months.
• Focus on transparency: know exactly what is and isn’t included.
• Match the plan to your family’s wishes: simple direct cremation vs an attended service.
Spotlight: Golden Leaves
Golden Leaves is one of the UK’s longest-standing funeral plan providers. They are FCA-regulated and offer a range of plans, from simple direct cremations to more traditional services.
Plan Types
Direct cremations to traditional services per month.
Payment Options
Pay in full, 12 months interest-free, or up to 8 years with finance.
Rating
Trustpilot (5,148 reviews, Sept 2025)
Experience
Decades of service in the industry
Pros and cons ▾
| Pros |
Cons |
 4.8★ Trustpilot rating (5,148 reviews, Sept 2025) Wide choice of plan types Strong reputation and decades of experience Flexible instalment options (12 months interest-free, up to 8 years with finance) |
 Instalments cost more overall if spread over longer terms Exclusions apply (e.g. flowers, embalming, and catering are not included) |
What is not included ▾
- Flowers
- Embalming
- Catering
Customer Feedback - Verified Trustpilot Reviews
“Excellent service from Golden Leaves. No pressure, a personal visit by a really nice, knowledgeable gentleman who explained everything in easy-to-understand terms. Very happy with everything.” — Rita Edwards, Trustpilot.
“My needs were requested and an appropriate plan proposed. The staff I spoke to were polite, patient and ready to answer questions. There was no effort to push a more costly plan, and financial issues were explained clearly.” — Edna, Trustpilot
Conclusion
MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis’ advice on funeral plans is clear: they can be a great way to plan ahead, but only if you choose carefully. Funeral plans are most worthwhile if you can pay upfront or over 12 months interest-free, and if your family might struggle with costs or organisation. Beyond that, instalment fees, exclusions, or limited flexibility may make them poor value.
For families looking for a well-established provider with a very strong customer reputation, Golden Leaves offers a balanced choice, combining affordability with flexibility and trust.
How this site works
Please note:
The material on this page is for general information only and does not constitute advice on funeral plans. Simply Funeral Insurance is an independent company and regulated by the FCA for insurance products only. We are not endorsing or recommending the products of any advertisements on this page.