Funeral Planning no longer a taboo

The latest research from Age UK Enterprises (1), the commercial services arm of Age UK, has revealed almost three quarters of respondents feel that funeral planning is no longer a taboo topic of conversation.

Seven in ten respondents said they believed that planning for a funeral has become easier. Despite this, the research found that only five per cent of people have financially prepared by buying a funeral plan, a product that guarantees both the organisation and payment of a funeral.

The research (2) carried out for Age UK Guaranteed Funeral Plans, found that when people did take steps to financially protect their loved ones from future expenses they were six times more likely to have purchased life insurance rather than a funeral plan. However, what some people may not realise is that a life insurance policy will only provide a limited financial sum towards the cost of a funeral.

A funeral plan, such as the Age UK Guaranteed Funeral Plan, will provide a guaranteed cash payment to cover cremation funeral costs (3) even if prices increase with inflation in the future. Of those who had bought a funeral plan, research revealed that the most common reasons were to secure peace of mind (33%), save family and loved ones from future expense (24%) and help family members avoid having to make arrangements (20%).

Gordon Morris, Managing Director of Age UK Enterprises said: 'The shift in attitude towards funeral planning is positive. More people are talking openly with loved ones about how they want their funeral and many are also choosing to prepare financially so that both arrangements and expenses are covered.'

He continued: 'Consumers shouldn't assume that their funeral costs will be automatically covered by a life insurance policy. As well as giving you peace of mind that your cremation funeral costs are covered, a guaranteed funeral plan will also provide cover if prices rise in the future. It will also allow you to take care of funeral arrangements in advance removing the worry associated with the practicalities of the event.'

For more information on Age UK Guaranteed Funeral Plans call 0800 022 3243, log on to the website or alternatively visit your local trading office (4).

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For further information, please contact Jo Roberts or Charlotte Elmehagen on 020 7360 7877 or email us

Notes to Editors

1. Age UK Enterprises is the trading name of Age Concern Enterprises Limited - the commercial services arm of charity Age UK
2. Omnibus research was conducted by TNS on behalf of Age UK. TNS interviewed a sample of 1,442 people aged 35+ in the UK. Face-to-face interviews were conducted between 29 September and 3 October 2010. TNS is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
3. Cremation funeral costs guaranteed. Burial option available.
4. Not all Age UK/Age Concern offices offer all Age UK products. Please check (by telephoning your local office) before arranging a visit.

Age UK

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. The Age UK family includes Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI. Age UK is inspired by the belief that it can improve the lives of people in later life. It celebrates ageing and believes it presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges at home and abroad. Age UK will challenge ageist prejudice in society, provide services that address market failures and support the public and private sectors to design age-friendly products and services.

It will support people to remain in their own homes through campaigning and practical services and its Information and Advice service will offer millions of people support on a range of issues from claiming benefits to staying fit and healthy. Age UK will fund biomedical research that helps tackle the ill health and poor quality of life that are too common as people age.

Working with over 350 partners across the country, Age UK helps influence local decisions and delivers the most appropriate services. Its network of shops will act as a focal point for the local community, providing information and help with local services. Age UK works across the globe as well as in the UK, with its international partner, Help Age International, championing older people's rights and needs and as an active member of the DEC.

Age Concern Enterprises

To fund its charitable activities, Age UK needs a constant flow of independent income. It seeks to achieve this through a balance of traditional fund raising and trading activities.

The trading activities, through Age Concern Enterprises, (ACEnt) enable it to meet the needs of older people, through products specifically designed to meet these needs; quality products such as general insurance and energy Services.

Age Concern Enterprises is the commercial services arm of Age UK. ACEnt incorporates: Age UK Energy, Age Concern Insurance Services and Age UK Guaranteed Funeral Plans. Log on to the products page for details.

Age Concern Enterprises is part of the Social Enterprise Coalition; an organisation that represents a wide range of social enterprises with the overarching aim of working in partnership for the creation of effective sector products, services and knowledge-sharing networks to help stimulate and encourage growth, development and sustainability of social enterprises in England.

Age Concern Enterprises scooped up the ‘Customer Care Award' at the prestigious 2010 British Insurance Awards. The judges singled out Age Concern Enterprises for its exceptional customer service which is provided by Ageas Insurance Ltd (previously Fortis Insurance Limited), as well as for glowing customer testimonials with a ‘world-class' customer satisfaction score of 85 per cent, and 89 per cent of customers saying that they would recommend Age Concern Enterprises/Ageas (Insurance UK).

Age Concern Enterprises Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for insurance mediation (311438). Age Concern Enterprises Limited is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159, registered office: Astral House, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4ER. VAT Number: 710 3843 66.

Age Concern Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Age UK (registered charity No. 1128267 and registered company No. 06825798) and donates its net profits to Age UK. Age Concern England (charity number 261794) has merged with Help the Aged (charity number 272786) to form Age UK, a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England: registered office address 207-221 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9UZ, company number 6825798, registered charity number 1128267. Age Concern Enterprises is based at 4th floor, 207 - 221, Pentonville Road, London, N1 9UZ.

About Dignity Caring Funeral Services

Age UK Enterprises work in association with Dignity to provide Age UK Guaranteed Funeral Plans. Dignity plc is Britain's largest single provider of funeral related services and is the market leader in the provision of pre-arranged funeral plans. In 2010 Dignity was awarded third place in the Top 50 Call Centres for Customer Service Awards. Dignity Pre Arrangement Limited ISO 9001:2008 accredited company status. For more information visit: www.dignityfunerals.co.uk.