Coop Funeral Plans

Compare Co-op Funeral Plans

So, what types of plans do Co-op offer and how do they compare to the market?

As with any financial decision, we recommend that you carefully consider what you need and what options are currently available across the market. We can help you with this process.

Co-op Funeralcare offer four Funeral Plan packages as well as a bespoke Funeral Plan option.

The four Co-op packages are: Simple, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The fifth option is a tailor-made package. Co-op also offer a headstone plan as a standalone or as an additional item with one of their Funeral Plans.

The Funeral Plans have competitive pricing, and they all include different service offerings, so it’s essential to understand the details.

We are happy to support you with any questions.

Every Co-op Funeral Plan includes the following features:

• Care and preparation of the deceased
• Able to view the deceased in the Chapel of Rest
• Hearse and pallbearers
• Third-party fees including doctor’s fees, cremations, minister or officiant fees. This allowance excludes costs relating to a burial plot as prices vary across the UK
• Funeral Director services
• Funeral carried out in line with deceased’s recorded wishes
• Bereavement support
• Bereavement notification support
• Transport of the deceased within a 50-mile radius at any time of day
• The Co-op Commitment for instalment plans of 2-25 years

Co-op Simple Plan

Co-op’s Simple Plan is their base level plan, covering the traditional elements of UK-based a funeral.

The Simple Plan includes the services previously mentioned, plus:

• A basic coffin
• Limited dates and times for the funeral
• Chapel of Rest visits during standard opening hours

Co-Op Bronze Plan

The Co-op Bronze Plan contains all the benefits previously mentioned, plus:

• Maple effect coffin
• Ability to define a route for the funeral procession
• More flexible time and date for the funeral

Co-Op Silver Plan

The Co-op Silver Plan contains all the benefits previously mentioned, plus:

• A choice of coffin in a cherry or rosewood effect
• More flexible visit times to the Chapel of Rest
• A limousine

Co-Op Gold Plan

The Co-op Gold Plan contains all the benefits previously mentioned, plus:

• A wood veneered coffin with a choice of light oak or traditional oak
• Two limousines

Co-op Tailor-made Funeral Plans

Co-op offer the ability to create a completely bespoke funeral, in which you can pre-pay most aspects. You can add additional items to the plan at any time or provide different preferences. Where it’s possible to fix prices in advance, you will pay the price relevant to the date you make the order.

Customers can order a bespoke funeral by visiting one of Co-op’s local Funeral Directors.

Have Co-op Funeral Plans got good customer feedback?

Co-op Funeral Plans have received several rewards from independent financial sites:

• The Silver and Gold Funeral Plans have a five-star rating from Fairer Finance
• The Gold Funeral Plan has received a five-star rating from Defaqto for three years running
• Moneynet awarded Co-op the Triple Gold award and rated them the Best Funeral Plan Provider in 2018, 2019 and 2020

However, when we search online for independent customer reviews, the picture is less positive. At the time of writing, Co-op has a rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars on the independent review site Trustpilot, and many of the bad reviews are recent. Some of the negative feedback has received a response from the company, but not all of it. We recommend that Co-op spend more time listening and responding to their customers who leave reviews on Trustpilot.

At the time of writing, Co-op’s Funeral Plan Brochure quotes a rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Feefo; however, this is not currently visible on Feefo’s website for the Funeral Care business. Other parts of the Co-op business do have a visible presence on Feefo.

What happens if I take out a Co-op Funeral Plan?

Once you have signed up to a plan with Co-op, they will send you a document folder within ten working days, which contains:

• A cover letter
• Details of any instalment plan
• Two copies of your plan, one to keep and one to pass to the person who will lead the arrangements
• Information for the person who will lead arrangements, on what to do when the time comes

If you take out a plan with Co-op and change your mind, then you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of its start date. If you cancel after this period, then at the time of writing, Co-op charge a £250 cancellation fee on set or tailor-made plans and £100 on masonry plans.

Where do Co-op keep their clients’ money?

Co-op invest client money in a whole-of-life assurance policy with The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited.  They monitor the policy to ensure it has sufficient funds to meet the services agreed for all of its clients.

Do they offer guarantees?

Co-op offer several guarantees:

• Fully guaranteed funeral plan that means your loved ones will have no additional fees to pay for the services within your selected plan.
• The Co-op Commitment applies to instalment plans that range from 2-25 years in length. It guarantees that for any customer who dies after paying 12 months of instalments in one of these plans, Co-op will cover the remaining costs of the plan, so there is nothing for the family to pay. This guarantee also provides cover within the first 12 months if the death is a result of an accident.
• Guaranteed acceptance with no medical. Customers on instalment plans of 2-25 years must complete their payments by their 80^th birthday.

Are Co-op registered with the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA)?

Yes, Co-op have a registration with the Funeral Planning Authority under the name Co-operative Funeralcare. They have been registered with the FPA since it formed in 2002.

What payment options are available?

Co-op allows customers to select from four payment options:

• A single payment, covering the full cost of the funeral plan
• A 6-month instalment plan, which does not come at an additional cost

• Longer instalment plans of 2-25 years: under these plans, you will incur an additional charge for the facility to make payments over this longer period.

Co-op will accept additional one-off payments at any stage of your plan, and you can pay in full at any time.

What if I have a complaint with Co-op?

If you have a complaint with Co-op you can contact them in one of the following ways:

• Phone: 0800 083 6301
• Email: funeral.clientrelations@co-operative.coop
• Post: Client Relations Team, Co-op Funeralcare, 12th Floor, 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG
• In-Person: At your local Co-op Funeral Home

Co-op commit to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and they aim to resolve it within 28 days.

If Co-op do not resolve your complaint, you can refer it to the Funeral Planning Authority by calling 0845 601 9619.