Prepaid Funeral Plans in Ireland: How Do They Work?
A prepaid funeral plan allows you to make financial arrangements for your funeral while you are still alive. For many people in Ireland, it is a practical way to plan ahead, make their preferences known and help their family with the costs when the time comes.
But not all prepaid funeral plans work in the same way.
Some providers offer set funeral packages, while others allow you to choose your own arrangements with a local funeral director and make payments towards the expected cost.
Before deciding whether a prepaid funeral plan is right for you, it is important to understand how the money is managed, what is included and what happens if your circumstances change.
What is a prepaid funeral plan?
A prepaid funeral plan is an arrangement that allows you to pay for all or part of your funeral in advance.
Depending on the provider, you may choose a particular funeral package or make arrangements based on your individual preferences.
The purpose is to plan ahead rather than leave all the decisions and financial arrangements to your family.
In Ireland, funeral pre-planning can involve choosing a funeral director, deciding between burial and cremation, discussing the type of ceremony you would prefer and estimating the costs involved.
You can then decide whether you want to make a financial contribution towards those arrangements.
What types of prepaid funeral plans are available in Ireland?
There are different approaches to paying for a funeral in advance.
Fixed-price funeral packages
Some providers offer funeral packages at an agreed price.
These generally include a specified range of services, although exactly what is covered varies between providers.
Certain expenses, such as cemetery fees, crematorium charges or third-party services, may be excluded or subject to additional conditions.
It is important to establish whether the price is guaranteed and which services that guarantee covers.
Funeral pre-planning with a local funeral director
Another option is to arrange your funeral with a funeral director of your choice and make payments towards the estimated cost.
This allows you to discuss your personal preferences rather than select from a standard package.
My Farewell Wishes works with participating funeral directors throughout Ireland to provide this type of pre-planning service.
You can discuss the arrangements you would prefer, receive an estimate from your funeral director and decide whether you wish to put money aside towards those costs.
How does My Farewell Wishes work?
My Farewell Wishes is an Irish funeral pre-planning service that works in partnership with local funeral directors.
The process begins with a discussion about the funeral you would like.
Your funeral director can explain the services available, discuss your preferences and prepare an estimate based on the arrangements you choose.
Your wishes are recorded so that your family and funeral director have a clear understanding of your preferences.
If you decide to make payments towards your funeral, those funds are held in Trust, separately from the funeral director's business accounts.
This means the money is not simply paid into the funeral director's ordinary trading account.
The aim is to help you make arrangements in advance and provide funds towards the cost of your funeral.
Where does the money go when you prepay for a funeral?
This is one of the most important questions to ask any prepaid funeral plan provider.
The arrangements for holding customer money can differ between providers.
Some plans use Trust arrangements, while others may use insurance-backed structures or different contractual arrangements.
With My Farewell Wishes, money paid towards funeral pre-planning is held in Trust, separately from the participating funeral director's business accounts.
Before making a payment, you should understand the terms of the Trust arrangement, how the funds are administered and the circumstances in which money can be released or refunded.
You should also establish what happens if your chosen funeral director retires, closes their business or is no longer available when the funeral is required.
How much does a prepaid funeral plan cost in Ireland?
There is no single price for a funeral in Ireland.
The cost depends on several factors, including:
- Whether you choose burial or cremation.
- The funeral director and services selected.
- The coffin or other funeral products.
- The type and location of the ceremony.
- Cemetery or crematorium charges.
- Transport and other arrangements.
- Additional services such as flowers, notices or catering.
A simple funeral may cost considerably less than one involving several locations, additional services or more elaborate arrangements.
With My Farewell Wishes, your participating funeral director can prepare an estimate based on your individual preferences.
This allows you to understand the likely costs before deciding whether to make a payment.
Remember that an estimate is not necessarily a guaranteed future price. Funeral costs can change, and additional funds may be required when the funeral takes place.
Can you pay for a funeral plan in instalments?
Payment options vary depending on the provider.
Some prepaid funeral plans require payment in full, while others allow payments to be spread over an agreed period.
If you are considering instalments, ask about the available payment arrangements and any applicable conditions.
It is particularly important to understand what happens if you stop making payments or die before completing the agreed payment schedule.
My Farewell Wishes can explain its current payment options and how they operate.
You can contact the team on 042 6039990 to discuss the arrangements available.
What happens when the person with a prepaid funeral plan dies?
The procedure depends on the provider and the terms of the arrangement.
Generally, the family or nominated representative should contact the funeral director or organisation responsible for the plan.
The funeral director can then review the recorded wishes and discuss the arrangements with the family.
If money has been paid towards the funeral, the provider's terms will determine how those funds are made available.
Families should be aware that some costs may have changed since the original arrangements were made.
For this reason, it is important that your family knows a pre-planning arrangement exists and understands whom to contact when the time comes.
Can you change or cancel a prepaid funeral plan?
Your circumstances may change after you have arranged your funeral.
You might move to another county, change your preference from burial to cremation or decide that you would like a different type of ceremony.
Providers have different rules concerning amendments, cancellations, transfers and refunds.
Before entering into an agreement, ask for written information about these conditions.
If you already have an arrangement with My Farewell Wishes and want to make changes, contact the team to discuss the options available under your agreement.
Are prepaid funeral plans worth it?
That depends on your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
For some people, paying in advance provides reassurance that money has been set aside and that their family will have fewer financial decisions to make.
Others prefer to record their wishes without committing money to a funeral plan.
It is worth considering whether you already have savings or other financial arrangements that could help your family meet the cost.
A prepaid funeral plan should be considered alongside your wider financial circumstances, particularly if you are committing a substantial amount of money.
You should never feel pressured to purchase a plan before you have understood the terms.
What should you ask before choosing a prepaid funeral plan?
Before making a decision, consider asking the provider the following questions:
- What funeral services are included in the arrangement?
- Is the price guaranteed, or am I paying towards an estimated future cost?
- Who holds the money, and how is it protected?
- Are there administration charges or other fees?
- Can I choose my own funeral director?
- What happens if my funeral director closes or retires?
- Can I change or cancel my arrangements?
- What happens if I move to another part of Ireland?
- Will my family have to pay anything extra?
- What information will my family need when the funeral takes place?
A reputable provider should be willing to explain these matters clearly and provide the relevant terms in writing.
Can you plan your funeral without buying a prepaid plan?
Yes. You do not have to make a financial commitment to plan your funeral.
You can begin by recording your wishes, discussing your preferences with your family and choosing a funeral director.
This can help your family understand what you would like, even if you decide not to pay in advance.
Our guide, How to Record Your Funeral Wishes in Ireland, explains how to get started.
You can also read Can You Pay for Your Funeral in Advance in Ireland? for more information about the payment options and considerations involved.
Speak to My Farewell Wishes about funeral pre-planning
If you are considering a prepaid funeral plan, speaking to someone who understands the options available in Ireland can be a useful first step.
My Farewell Wishes works with participating funeral directors throughout Ireland, helping people make their own funeral arrangements and, if they wish, put money aside towards the cost.
We can explain how our pre-planning service works, answer your questions and help you connect with a participating funeral director.
There is no obligation to make a payment simply because you contact us for information.
Call My Farewell Wishes on 042 6039990.
You can also visit our Start Planning page to learn more about arranging your funeral in advance.
