An Honest and Detailed Dignity Funeral Plans Review
An Honest and Detailed Dignity Funeral Plans Review
As part of our commitment to helping families understand their choices, we have thoroughly researched the Direct Cremation market. This detailed Dignity Direct Cremation review will help you understand if the Dignity Funerals service is the right company for you and your lost one.
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Dignity DirectCremtion Overview
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Yes. Dignity funeral plans are regulated by the FCA so your money is safe.
Well established – As a large, well-established funeral provider, Dignity offers one of the most competitively priced direct cremation funerals available in the UK today.
Low cost – Their Unattended Funeral is available for the headline price of £995, with all of the essential services from collection of the deceased through to delivery of the ashes included*. Doctors’ fees and the removal and care of jewellery are also included.
Unattended funerals – Unlike most providers of direct cremation funerals, Dignity’s Unattended Funeral is arranged through a Dignity funeral home, guaranteeing a locally provided service.
Coffins – Dignity offers a choice of two wood-veneer coffins with each of their unattended cremations, although you have the option to choose an alternative from their entire range of coffins for an additional price.
Delivery of ashes – Likewise, delivery of the ashes in a simple container is included in the price, but with the option to upgrade to higher quality urns for an extra fee.
Local service – A Dignity unattended cremation is likely to be carried out at one of the crematoria owned by the Crematorium and Memorial Group, which is part of the Dignity family. While you will not be able to choose which crematorium is used, it is likely to be as close to you as possible.
Cremation-only plans – In addition, Dignity Funerals offers a pre-payment plan for their Unattended Funeral Service. Open to anyone over the age of 18, the plan may be paid either in full, or the cost may be spread in monthly instalments for up to five years. In contrast to the service offered by most other providers, there is no additional cost if you opt to pay by instalments.
*Delivery outside of a twenty-mile radius of the crematorium will be subject to an additional charge, please see below for details.
Dignity Crematorium Locations
Dignity own its own crematoria, you can search for your local Dignity crematorium on their website. Its important to know that with their unattended cremation, you will not be able to choose which location is used.
Dignity Direct Cremation Cost
What’s Included in the £995 Dignity Unattended Funeral Service??
Dignity will provide the following services in their Unattended Funeral service. Everything is included in the headline price, except for the optional extras for which there will be an additional, specified charge:
Paid Extras Include
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR CREMATION SERVICE
1. Following the cremation, the ashes will be delivered within fourteen days. This is quicker than the service offered by most other providers, but you will need to bear this timescale in mind if you wish to have the ashes present at a separate memorial service of your choosing.
2. There is no option to attend the cremation.
3. A choice of two wood-veneer coffins is included in the price of a Dignity unattended funeral, but you have the choice to purchase an alternative coffin from Dignity’s range for an additional price.
4. The ashes will be returned in a simple urn, but other options are available for an additional cost.
5. Unless you hold a Dignity Funeral Plan, payment for the service must be made in full at the time of making the arrangement. There is no credit option or payment plan available. This is in line with the service offered by most other providers.
Dignity Direct Cremations Vs Pure Cremation
Here’s how a Dignity Unattended Funeral Service compares to direct cremations offered by a selection of other providers. This table refers to the unattended Direct Cremation Service with the attended service listed as an optional extra
| SERVICE | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Dignity | Celebration of Life | Pure Cremation | Distinct Cremations |
| List Price | £995 | £795 | £1,295 | £895 |
| Coverage | Mainland Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight | Great Britain | UK | Great Britain |
| Hospital or Public Mortuary Collection | Yes within a twenty-mile radius of funeral director | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Residential Address or Care Home Collection | WAITING FOR REPLY | £295 | £250 | £200 |
| Out-of-Hours Collection | £195 | £295 | £250 | £250 |
| Doctors’ Fees | Yes | £82 | Yes | £82 |
| Dress for the Deceased | Simple Gown | Simple Gown | Clothing worn by the deceased at the time of collection | Clothing worn by the deceased at the time of collection |
| Option for Own Clothes | No | £50.00 | Yes | Yes |
| Removal of Medical Devices | Additional cost, subject to details | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Removal of Jewellery | Yes | No | Yes | £50.00 |
| Coffin | Dark or Light Wood-Effect | Medium Density Fibreboard | Solid Wood | Unvarnished Veneer Chipboard |
| Max. time between Collection and Cremation | Unspecified | Within a Few Days | 14 Days | Unspecified |
| Option to Attend | No | No | +£250-£400 | £400 |
| Option to be Informed of Cremation Date | WAITING OR REPLY | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Choice of Crematorium | No | +Customised Fee | No | Attended Only |
| Delivery of Ashes | Yes | £100.00 | Yes | Yes |
| Max. Time for Ashes Delivery following Cremation | WAITING FOR REPLY | 28 Days | 21 Days | 14 Days |
Closest Competitor Service
Below we have listed the closest comparable product to the direct cremation service offered by Dignity Funerals
| Competitor | Co-op Funerals |
| Service | Both operate through local funeral homes & an identical headline price |
| Difference | Co-op is much more inclusive with regard to the collection, medical devices and jewellery. Dignity offers delivery of the ashes – Co-op it’s an extra charge for delivery to the funeral home only. The co-op has atrocious customer satisfaction according to Trustpilot, the lowest of any provider. |
| Review | Read our Co-op Direct Cremation Review |
Dignity Direct Cremation Plan
In addition to an, ‘at need’ direct cremation service, Dignity Funerals offer an unattended direct cremation funeral plan, which is suitable for those that are planning ahead.
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Dignity Funeral Plan Cost
How Much Will I Pay?
Dignity Pricelist
| Number of Instalments | Regular Monthly Instalment | Final Monthly Instalment | TOTAL COST | Extra Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Payment | – | – | £995.00 | – |
| 12 | £82.91 | £82.99 | £995.00 | – |
| 24 | £41.45 | £41.65 | £995.00 | – |
| 36 | £27.63 | £27.95 | £995.00 | – |
| 48 | £20.72 | £21.16 | £995.00 | – |
| 60 | £16.58 | £16.78 | £995.00 | – |
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR CREMATION PLAN
1. Unlike most other providers, Dignity does not offer set packages as part of their funeral plan options. Instead, they allow you to choose the precise plan benefits that you would like. To pay only the price specified above, you will need to select an unattended funeral with no optional extras.
2. If paying in full, redemption for the plan benefits is available if the beneficiary dies at any time – there is no waiting period or restriction.
3. If paying by monthly instalments, redemption for the plan benefits is available after the first twelve months, even if you haven’t finished paying for your plan.* Redemption is available within the first twelve months if death of the beneficiary is accidental. If death is not accidental within this timeframe, the estate of the deceased has the option of paying the balance of the plan, or requesting a full refund.
4. If paying by monthly instalments, you must have finished paying for your plan before the beneficiary’s 85th birthday.
5. The plan may be cancelled free of charge at any time.
6. You may upgrade to an attended funeral without incurring any administration cost at any time.
7. The plan benefits are not transferable to another beneficiary, although somebody else may pay for the plan costs.
*Subject to maintaining an up to date payment schedule.
Dignity Cremation Only Funeral Plan Vs Other Providers
Here’s how the payment options for the Dignity Funeral Plan compare to similar direct cremation funeral plans offered by a selection of other providers.
Please note that not all plans may offer precisely the same benefits.
| SERVICE | |  | |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| List Price | £995.00 | £1,450.00 | £1,795.00 | £1,499.00 |
| Deposit | Optional | £49 | No | No |
| Minimum Age | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| 6 Month Payment Plan | – | – | £1,794.96 | – |
| 1 Year Payment Plan | £995.00 | £1,450.00 | £1,866.84 | £1,498.92 |
| 2 Year Payment Plan | £995.00 | £1,686.76 | £1,941.36 | – |
| 3 Year Payment Plan | £995.00 | £1,788.88 | £2,019.24 | – |
| 4 Year Payment Plan | £995.00 | £1,916.20 | £2,100.00 | – |
| 5 Year Payment Plan | £995.00 | £2,039.80 | £2,184.00 | £1.782.60* |
| 6 Year Payment Plan | – | £2,172.28 | – | – |
| 7 Year Payment Plan | – | £2,315.32 | – | – |
| 8 Year Payment Plan | – | £2,448.04 | – | – |
| 9 Year Payment Plan | – | – | – | – |
| 10 Year Payment Plan | – | – | – | £2,113.20* |
| Lowest Monthly Payment Option | £16.58 | £24.99 | £36.40 | £17.61* |
| Upper Age Limit for Payment Plan | 85 at the time of completion | 85 if paying over more than 12 months | None | 74 if paying over 5 or 10 years |
| Credit Finance Option | No | Yes if paying over more than 12 months | No | No |
| Full Coverage | After full payment or 12 months following purchase** | After full payment or after financing through credit option | After full payment or 24 months following purchase** | After full payment or after the first 12 months of instalments** |
| Free Cancellation Period | No restriction | 30 Days following purchase | 30 days following purchase | If paying in full or over 12 months, no restriction. If paying over 5 or 10 years, within the first 12 months. |
| Cancellation Fee | – | £249.00 | £350.00 | No refund for plans paid over 5 or 10 year if cancelled after 12 months |
| Fund Type | Investment Trust | Investment Trust | Whole of Life Assurance Policies | Investment Trust |
*Prices vary by age. The price stated is accurate for a plan beneficiary aged 50 at the time of purchase.
**May be conditional upon maintaining an up to date payment schedule.
Dignity Customer Reviews
Below are the awards, customer reviews and our opinion of the Dignity Funerals offering
Dignity Funeral Plans has earned a 4.7 out of a possible 5.0 star rating on Feefo. Reviews on Trustpilot average at only 3.1 stars, but this is from a smaller, less representative sample.
You may also be able to find reviews of your local Dignity funeral director online. Some of these reviews are included on Dignity’s own website but it is likely that only the very best reviews have been selected.
A Dignity Unattended Funeral Service may be a suitable option if:
On the other hand, Dignity may be less suitable if
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dignity provide a Paper Brochur?
Dignity offers paper brochures for both their at-need funeral services and their prepayment plans. Each brochure is deliverable by post or can be downloaded in PDF format from their website.
How do I Purchase a Dignity Unattended Funeral?
An unattended funeral can be purchased by phone or at your local Dignity funeral home following the death of the deceased.
How do I Purchase a Dignity Funeral Plan?
A Dignity Funeral Plan may be purchased through the online arrangement form, over the phone, or at selected Dignity funeral homes.
Do I Choose the Funeral Director?
You may either choose the Dignity funeral director who will carry out the services on your behalf, or, if purchasing a Dignity funeral plan, they will allocate one for you if you prefer.
We recommend selecting the funeral director that is closest to you so as to avoid incurring additional mileage charges for either collection of the deceased and/or delivery of the ashes.
What Type of Coffin does Dignity Provide?
Dignity offers you a choice between either a light or dark wood-effect coffin inclusive with the price of an Unattended Funeral. For an additional price, you may choose another coffin from their range.
What Happens to Medical Devices and Jewellery?
Removal of jewellery and other valuables is included in the cost of the Unattended Funeral.
The removal of medical devices will incur an additional charge, subject to details.
Can I Choose where the Cremation Takes Place?
No, you will not have a choice of crematorium with a Dignity Unattended Funeral.
However, the cremation is likely to take place at a local crematorium owned by the Crematorium and Memorial Group, which is a part of the Dignity Family.
Will they Tell Me the Date of Cremation?
You have the option to be informed of the date of cremation if you are purchasing the unattended, Direct Cremation funeral.
How Can I Pay for My Funeral or for My Plan?
Payment for a Dignity Unattended Funeral can be made by cash, cheque, debit or credit card or bank transfer at the time of the arrangement. Please note that Dignity requires payment in full before a cremation is carried out.
Full payment for a Dignity Funeral Plan can be made by debit or credit card.
Instalment payments contributing towards payment of a funeral plan will be made by Direct Debit. Note that Dignity reserves the right to cancel a plan if you are unable to honour two consecutive monthly payments.
Can I Pay off my Instalment Plan Early?
Dignity will accept early settlement if you are paying by instalment towards a funeral plan.
If you are paying in full or over twelve months you may also upgrade or downgrade your plan between the unattended, Direct Cremation Plan, and the attended plan.
Are Special Offers or Dignity Discounts Available?
Dignity does not appear to be running any promotional offers at this time, nor do they offer discounts to selected groups.
Will I Receive Documentation?
If you are purchasing a Dignity Unattended Funeral at-need, you will receive a complimentary online funeral notice together with a personalised web page that provides all the essential details of the cremation in one place for you to share with family and friends.
If you are purchasing a Dignity Funeral Plan, you will receive a funeral plan schedule confirming your plan details, the cost and (if you have chosen to pay by instalments) the number and amount of your monthly payments. You will also receive a copy of the terms and conditions.
Who Should I Tell About My Plan?
When you apply for a Dignity Funeral Plan they will ask you to nominate a representative whom they can contact to inform them of the plan’s existence.
However, we suggest that you inform all of your closest loved ones that you have purchased the plan, and how they can obtain the documentation to make a claim.
Remember also to update Dignity with any changes of your address or contact details after you have purchased a plan.
How Will My Loved Ones Claim the Plan Benefits?
Following your death, your nominated representative or another family member will need to contact Dignity to claim the plan benefits on your behalf.
Full guidance should be outlined in your funeral plan schedule. However, at minimum, your representative will need to present Dignity with a copy of your death certificate so they are able to authorise transfer of the funds to pay for your funeral.
What Happens if Dignity goes Bust?
Dignity Funerals Ltd. is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
If you purchase a Dignity Funeral Plan your money will be invested in The UK Funerals (2022) Trust, an independent trust.
According to Dignity’s 2021 Annual Report and the most recent Trust Solvency Reports, Dignity claims a marketing allowance from the trust but makes no profit from your money until a funeral is carried out. Dignity will forfeit this marketing fee in the event that you cancel your plan.
In the event that Dignity ceases trading, the trust will seek to work with other providers to offer you the plan benefits. It’s possible, however, that you may need to pay a little extra if the services of another provider are engaged.
You may also be entitled to compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
How do I Make Enquiries?
Enquiries can be made by email, by phone or by online contact form.
An Unattended Funeral can be arranged twenty-four hours, seven days a week on their free-phone number: 0800 456 1047. Alternatively, you can contact your local Dignity funeral director.
The funeral planning team can be reached on 0808 258 5840 on Mondays to Fridays between 9am and 6pm, or on Saturdays between 9am and noon.
Their email address is planinfo@dignityfuneralplans.co.uk.
The company also has a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, but it’s not clear if these accounts are monitored for the purpose of making enquiries.
Are there any Hidden Costs?
A Dignity Unattended Funeral Service should cover most of the essentials you will need for carrying out a direct cremation. However, extra provision will have to be made for contingencies such as out of hours collection of the deceased and the removal of medical items such as pacemakers.
For their funeral plans, unforeseen changes in taxes and regulations enacted between the date the plan is purchased and the death of the beneficiary may require Dignity to levy additional charges. However, this is a standard term of funeral plans offered by most other providers.
Can I Transfer Arrangements to/from another Provider?
Dignity is unlikely to accept the transfer of funeral plan funds from other providers directly, although they are presently working with funeral plan providers who may not wish to continue offering funeral plans under the new regulatory regime which began in July 2022.
A plan with Dignity will cover only the fees of a funeral director who is owned or approved by Dignity. There is no additional cost for transferring your plan between different Dignity funeral directors. However, if you wish to transfer your plan to a funeral director who is neither owned nor approved by Dignity then your plan with Dignity will need to be cancelled.
Are they Eco-Friendly?
Dignity has published a detailed report on their environmental impact, including waste management and greenhouse gas emissions.
Who Owns Dignity Funerals?
Dignity Funerals Ltd. is one of the largest providers of funerals and funeral planning in the UK, with a turnover of £281.6m in 2021. The ultimate parent, Dignity plc, is traded on the London Stock Exchange.
The Crematorium and Memorial Group, which owns the crematoria used by Dignity, is also a member of the Dignity family.
Dignity also offers direct cremations under the Simplicity Cremations brand.