Aura direct cremation funeral plans review 2024
- Prices for prepaid funeral plans start from £1,695
- Flexible service with options for an attended service
- Fully guaranteed providing services throughout mainland UK
- Discounts offered to customers who purchase two plans in one go
Aura is a family run funeral provider that offers direct cremation services to those who have just died in addition to families that are looking to plan ahead.
In this review: To help you compare Aura direct cremation funeral plans, we look at the options available, the benefits, things to consider and how your money is held.
Once you have read the review, you can see how they compare with other FCA regulated plan providers or read the rest of our direct cremation reviews.
Who is Aura Funeral Services?
Aura is a family run funeral service provider based in Godalming, Surrey. The company was founded in 2019 by Paul Jameson after his diagnosis of motor neurone disease. The company’s philosophy is to make funeral arrangements a simple and compassionate process, viewing funeral plans as a heartfelt gift to loved ones.
What prepaid funeral plans do Aura offer?
As well as their prepaid funeral plans, Aura also provides a simple dignified cremation for those who have just passed away.
Aura funeral services for someone who has just died
Arranging an Aura funeral for someone who has just passed away starts from £995. This includes collection and care of the deceased, a simple coffin and a direct cremation without attendees.
You have the flexibility to add more personal services such as a preferred crematorium, a specific coffin and a service but you may incur additional charges.
Aura funeral plans for those looking to plan ahead
Aura offers a choice of three prepaid funeral plans that range from £1,695 to £2,995:
- Perfectly Simple
- Wonderfully Imagined Intimate
- Wonderfully Imagined Fully Attended
The Perfectly Simple Plan – costs £1,695 and provides a simple fuss free direct cremation without a funeral service.
The plan includes collection throughout mainland UK 24 hours a day; cremation fees and doctor’s fees, a simple coffin (oversized if required) removal of medical implants / pacemakers, and the ashes either hand delivered back to family or scattered on the garden of remembrance.
The Wonderfully Imagined Intimate Plan – costs £2,395 and provides a simple direct cremation where up to 15 people can attend a short service. The plan can be personalised by choosing your crematorium and having music played during the service.
This plan also includes collection throughout mainland UK 24 hours a day; cremation fees and doctor’s fees, a simple coffin (oversized if required) removal of medical implants / pacemakers, and the ashes either hand delivered back to family or scattered on the garden of remembrance.
The Wonderfully Imagined Fully Attended Plan – costs £2,995 and provides a simple cremation where an unlimited number of guests can attend a 45 minute service. The Aura customer care team will help family find a celebrant and personalise the service with music.
This plan also includes collection throughout mainland UK 24 hours a day; cremation fees and doctor’s fees, a simple coffin (oversized if required) removal of medical implants / pacemakers, and the ashes either hand delivered back to family or scattered on the garden of remembrance.
Aura funeral plan 'need to knows'
In addition to looking at the advantages of a prepaid funeral, it’s worth reviewing the possible drawbacks too. Here we list the benefits of an Aura funeral plan including important information on the way plans work, to help you consider if it’s the best funeral plan for you.
Benefits
- 3 plans to choose from
- Collection from anywhere in mainland UK, 24 hours a day
- Guarantees all the services required for a direct cremation as detailed in the plan
- Includes a single doctor’s fee if required
- Hand delivery of the ashes within 21 days of the cremation
- Incudes a simple (oversized if necessary) coffin
- Removal of medical implants and pacemakers at no extra cost
- Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Uses a network of Westerleigh Group crematoriums located throughout the UK
- Flexible payment options over 12 to 24 months with no additional charges
- Freedom to make alterations to your plan without charge
- No cancelation charges
- You save money when you buy two plans together
Important to know
- If you pay by instalments and die within the first 24 months, your family have the option to either pay the remaining balance or receive a full refund.
- Instalments can only be spread over a maximum of 24 months.
- Services do not include items like flowers, a hearse, embalming, a celebrant or your choice of crematorium.
Aura direct cremation reviews by their customers
Aura funeral plans are reviewed and rated an excellent 4.9 out of 5 on the independent review website Trustpilot.
Aura direct cremation reviews by the industry
In addition to customer reviews, Aura funeral plans have been reviewed by independent researcher of financial products Defaqto and consumer champion Fairer Finance.
What happens to my money with Aura funeral plans?
When you purchase an Aura funeral plan your money is held securely in an independent trust, managed responsibly and separately from Aura.
As an FCA authorised provider, you also have the support of the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, should the need arise.
How can I pay for an Aura funeral plan?
You can pay for an Aura funeral plan either in one go or by monthly instalments up to 24 months. Here’s how each payment option works:
Single Payment
Make a single payment and your funeral services as detailed in the plan will be in place.
Monthly Instalments
If you prefer to spread your payments, you can choose between 12 and 24 monthly instalments at no additional cost. Each month, a fixed amount will be deducted and held securely in the trust fund.
If you were to die before completing your payments, your family will have the option to either pay the remaining balance or receive a full refund.
Whether you choose to pay for an Aura funeral plan in one go or by monthly instalments, the cost of the plan will remain the same.
Am I eligible for an Aura funeral plan?
Anyone over the age of 18 can purchase a prepaid funeral plan with Aura, subject to personal circumstances.
Can I cancel my plan?
Regardless of how you pay, you can cancel your plan at any time and receive a full refund of any money paid.
What happens to my funeral plan if I move home?
As long as you move within mainland UK, the plan moves with you. You simply contact Aura to let them know your new address and they will update your details free of charge.
What should I do now?
My review of Aura is designed to help you compare plans and find the best option for you. I would always recommend that you review all of your options to ensure you’re getting the best deal that suits your budget and needs.
Now you have read the Aura funeral plan review, you may want to:
- Compare prepaid direct cremation plans with other FCA regulated providers
- See how other companies compare with our direct cremation plan reviews
- Find out more about simple funeral plan with our guide to direct cremation
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