Memoria Funerals review
- 5 plans to choose from
- Prices from £1,595
- Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Memoria Funerals is a trading style of Low Cost Funeral Ltd. They previously oofered plans under the Affordable Low Cost Funerals brand, who are also part of the same group and provide funeral services for families throughout the UK.
In this review: To help you compare Memoria funeral plans, we look at the options available and services included in each of the plans, the benefits and whether they are safe.
Once you have read the Memoria Funerals review, you can see how they compare with other FCA regulated funeral plan providers, or read the rest of our prepaid funeral plan reviews.
Who is Memoria Funerals?
Established in 2003 by 3 directors with our 90 years’ experience in the funeral sector, they provide funeral services throughout the UK via their Crematoria and Memorial Parks. They currently operate 14 crematorium and memorial parks throughout mainland Britain, with plans to open further sites in the near future.
In addition to their crematorium and memorial parks, the Memoria group also provide financial and legal services, in addition to online cremation and burial services.
What prepaid funeral plans do Memoria Funerals offer?
Memoria Funerals offer a range of direct cremation and traditional funeral plans for those looking to make plans ahead of time. They also provide funeral services for someone who has recently passed away.
Here’s how the different options work
Memoria funerals for someone who has just died
Prices for arranging a funeral for someone who has recently passed away start from £1,145 for a direct cremation. In addition to this simple unattended cremation, they offer the following options:
- Direct Cremation – unattended cremation
- Personal funeral – attended cremation
- Celebration of life service – attended cremation
Additional costs may be incurred for services like collection out of hours or from a private residence or nursing home.
The services included in each of these 'at need' options are similar to those provided in their prepaid funeral plans. See below for further details.
Memoria Funeral Plans for those looking to plan ahead
Memoria Funerals offer a choice of 5 prepaid funeral plans that range from £1,595.
- Direct Cremation Essentiasl Plan
- Direct Cremation Premium Plan
- Direct Cremation Premium Local Plan
- Personal Funeral Plan
- Celebration of Life Funeral Plan
Three of the plans are for a cremation without a service. The remaining plans offer more traditional services that include a service for family and friends to attend.
Memoria Funerals direct cremation plan - without a funeral service
Their three direct cremation funeral plans provide an unattended cremation at one of Memoria’s crematoriums.
They include the funeral directors help and guidance with the documentation, care of the deceased, a standard coffin and the cremation.
The Essentials plan also includes collection and transportation of deceased from a hospital or mortuary in England or Wales within office hours and scattering of the ashes on the garden of remembrance. However, the Premium and Premium Local plans include collection and transportation 24/7 from anywhere in mainland UK and hand delivery of the ashes.
Memoria Funerals traditional plans - with a funeral service
Personal funeral plan – a simple low cost cremation that includes a service but has some limitations.
It includes the funeral directors help and guidance with the documentation, collection and transportation of deceased from a hospital or mortuary in England or Wales within office hours, a standard coffin, cremation fees, a service and scattering of the ashes on the garden of remembrance.
The time of the funeral service will be limited to early in the morning (typically around 8.30am to 10.00am) for up to 25 guests. Although you have a choice of crematoria with this plan it does exclude ones that Memoria believe are too expensive.
Celebration of life plan – provides a simple traditional funeral service without the added extras.
It includes the funeral directors help and guidance with the documentation, collection and transportation 24/7 from anywhere in mainland UK, a standard coffin, cremation fees, a service and hand delivery of ashes.
Transportation of the deceased to the crematorium is in a suitable specialist vehicle, but you have the flexibility to pay more for a hearse, limousine and officiant to conduct the service.
Memoria Funerals important information
In addition to looking at the benefits of a prepaid funeral, it’s worth reviewing the possible drawbacks too. Here we look at the details of their plans to help you consider if it’s the best funeral plan for you.
Benefits of their funeral plans
- 5 plans to choose from
- Collection 24 hours a day 7 days a week on three of the plans
- Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- You can choose the location of the crematorium on three of the plans
- A range of payment options
Important to know
- If you pay over 12 months but die before your premiums have been paid, you will not be covered for the services included in your plan. Instead, the person arranging the funeral can either pay the balance for the funeral services to go ahead, or cancel the plan
- The instalment option is a credit finance option. Acceptance will depend on your personal circumstances and the plan will cost more overall.
- You pay extra to have the ashes returned on some plans
- On all of the plans you pay extra for return of the ashes
- Doesn’t include additional funeral costs such as flowers, a memorial, orders of service or the wake
- Doctor’s fees if required are not included
Memoria Funerals reviews by their customers
Memoria Funerals are reviewed by customers on the independent review website Trustpilot where they have been rated 4.7 out of 5.
Memoria Funerals reviews by the industry
Currently there are no industry reviews for their funeral plans.
Are Memoria Funerals funeral plans safe?
When you buy a Memoria Funerals funeral plan, your money is held securely in a Scottish Friendly whole of life insurance policy until it is required to pay for your funeral services.
The company is authorised, through its parent company Low Cost Funeral Ltd, by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) who are responsible for the regulation of funeral plans. Their strict rules and code of conduct ensure customers are treated fairly, plans are fit for purpose and your money is safe.
You also have access to the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for further protection, should the need arise.
How can I pay for a Memoria Funerals funeral plan?
You can pay for a Memoria low cost funeral plan in one go of by instalments. Here’s how each payment option works:
Single Payment
The cheapest way to pay for a plan is with a single lump sum. Your money is paid into a whole of life insurance policy until it is required to pay for your funeral expenses as detailed in the plan.
Monthly Instalments – a credit financed based option
Monthly instalments are available through the credit financed option. Acceptance will be subject to status and affordability checks and the plan will cost more overall.
Am I eligible for a Memoria funeral plan?
To be eligible for a Memoria Funerals funeral plan you need to be at least 40 years of age and a UK resident.
Can I choose either a burial or cremation service?
The 5 funeral plans Memoria offer are all for cremation funerals.
Can I cancel my plan?
If you change your mind within the first 30 days, you can cancel your plan and receive a full refund of any money paid. If you cancel after this period you will receive a refund of any money paid, minus the administration charge of £299.
What happens to my funeral plan if I move home?
If you move, just inform them of your new address. As long as you remain within the area serviced by your chosen funeral plan, they can continue to provide your required services.
What should I do now?
My review of Memoria 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 Memoria Funerals funeral plan review, you may want to:
- Compare other FCA regulated plans
- See how other companies compare with our direct cremation funeral plan reviews
- Find out more about simple funeral plans with our guide to direct cremation
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