Home » Choice Essentials Plan

Choice Essentials Plan

£2,650

Equivalent price if these services were purchased today: £3,275*

Attended Funeral

Our Choice Essentials Plan is tailored for those who would prefer a traditional funeral service where family, friends and mourners can attend.

This plan allows you to plan and pay in advance for a funeral, record your personal wishes and fixes the cost of Funeral Director Services at today’s prices, which otherwise may go up or down in the future. It also provides the flexibility to personalise and upgrade elements of a funeral and allows Voluntary Contributions to be made towards Additional Products &; Services and Third Party Fees, if desired.

What's Included
Funeral Directors Services
A dedicated and experienced Funeral Arranger to provide support throughout the arrangements
Assisting with legal, administrative and funeral arrangements for the funeral to take place
Collection from the place of death or other location, restrictions apply
Collection from the place of death or other location, restrictions apply
Religious washing, traditions and rituals can be accommodated if required
The option of family and friends to spend time with the Covered Individual in a private room during opening hours at the Nominated Funeral Directors
A quality oak-effect veneered coffin
A hearse to convey the Covered Individual to the place of service, crematorium or cemetery, restrictions apply
The Funeral Director and up to four pall bearers to accompany and attend the service
An online memorial tribute web page, including the ability to enable charitable donations
A complimentary standard scatter tube for a cremation or a small grave marker for a burial
Collection of the ashes from the Nominated Funeral Director or option of delivery for a charge
The option of the ashes to be scattered at the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance
We offer support, before and after the funeral
We will provide you with a number to a helpline offering practical support to you and your family on matters such as probate, wills, legal issues and bereavement support. This is operated by a third party
We can inform a friend or relative that your funeral plan is in place
Other Benefits
Receive 10% off memorial masonry, additional works, cremation tablets (plaques) and vases when an order is placed within three months of the funeral taking place
Ability to make a voluntary contribution towards Third Party Fees and Additional Products & Services.
Third Party Fees and Additional Products & Services are not included in the Choice Essentials and Choice Plus Plans. However, Voluntary Contributions can be made towards these in advance. These funds are held with the plan and can be used towards these costs at the time the plan is Redeemed. Depending on the amount you contribute, there may be a shortfall at the time the plan is Redeemed, which would need to be paid for, based on the prices at that time.

What's not included
Third Party Fees
Certain Third Party Fees (including burial or cremation fees) and doctor’s fees (in Northern Ireland only, if required) must be paid in order for the funeral to take place, in addition to the funeral plan cost. Depending on your funeral requirements, other costs, such as minister or celebrant fees and venue or church fees, may also be required for the funeral to take place. These fees are set by the third parties. Voluntary Contributions can be made either at the time you purchase your funeral plan, or payment will be required at the time of the funeral.
Additional Products & Services
Other Additional Products & Services you may be considering could include flowers, obituary notices, order of service, special transport and other personal requests to personalise the arrangements.

Equivalent price shown is a national average, based on 277 branches within the Funeral Partners Network (correct as of 9th September 2024)

a couple in a garden, the smile happily at each other

More information on Voluntary Contributions

Third Party Fees and Additional Products & Services are not included in the Choice Essentials and Choice Plus Plans. However, Voluntary Contributions can be made towards these in advance. These funds are held with the plan and can be used towards these costs at the time the plan is Redeemed.

You can contribute as much or as little as you like now, with the option to add to the fund in the future
Please note, any prices quoted are not fixed and can go up or down in the future, and depending on the amount you contribute, there may be a shortfall at the time the plan is Redeemed, which would need to be paid for, based on the prices at that time
If you want to make a change to your plan, please contact us to discuss your options. Our friendly team will be able to discuss your ideas and provide costs and estimates to you

What are Third Party Fees and Additional Products & Services ?

Third Party Fees, such as cremation and burial fees, are costs we pay to someone else and are not included in the plan. This is because these fees vary in price depending on factors, such as what type of funeral you choose, your preference of a crematorium or burial site and if a doctor’s certificate would be required. Certain Third Party Fees must be paid in order for the funeral to take place in addition to the funeral plan cost.

Other Additional Products & Services you may be considering could include flowers, obituary notices, order of service, special transport and other personal requests to personalise the arrangements.

Voluntary Contributions can be made towards these and we are able to provide you with an estimate of the costs for Additional Products & Services and Third Party Fees.

Flexible payment options

You can pay for the funeral plan in full by credit or debit card, bank transfer or cheque, or by monthly instalments over one to ten years. The cost of paying for the funeral plan over a 12 month term costs the same as it would paying in full. If paying over 12 months up to the maximum of 120 months, prices vary by age of the Covered Individual and there is an additional charge, which means you pay more than if you pay in full upfront. See our illustration of a monthly instalment plan.

Full payment for the funeral plan must be made before the Covered Individual reaches the age of 85
If the Covered Individual passes away within 12 months from the date of Activation, the funeral plan cannot be Redeemed unless the outstanding payments are made. If the Covered Individual passes away after 12 months, then no further payments will be required for the Funeral Director Services.
When you pay by instalments, you cannot make any financial amendments until the plan is fully paid. If paying by instalment, switching is only possible once the plan is fully paid. If you want to switch before your plan is fully paid, a cancellation fee may apply.
For joint plans, instalments must be paid within 12 months. Joint plans cannot be purchased online.

Buy a Plan

Representative example

Payment term	Cost up front	Monthly Instalment	Total Instalment Cost	Cost Difference
Pay Upfront	£2,650	N/A	N/A	N/A
1 Year	N/A	£220.84	£2,650.00	£0
2 Years	N/A	£116.83	£2,803.92	£153.92
3 Years	N/A	£80.92	£2,913.12	£263.12
4 Years	N/A	£63.43	£3,044.64	£394.64
5 Years	N/A	£52.36	£3,141.60	£491.60
10 Years	N/A	£33.04	£3,964.80	£1,314.80

Representative example: In relation to the costs for paying by instalments, the presented table is for illustrative purposes and assumes the Covered Individual is 73 years old at the point of purchase.

When paying by instalments, prices will vary based on the length of payment term and age of the Covered Individual. The longer the payment term is, the more you will pay for your plan. Your tailored quote will be calculated when you buy a plan online.

Your money is protected by the Financial Services Compensation scheme

APCL typically retains around £475 of the price you pay for each Funeral Plan to cover our costs.

What's Included in your Choice Plan documentation?

When you take out a plan with Choice we will send you an Information Pack which will include

A covering welcome letter
Your Certificate of Entitlement
A letter confirming the total amount paid
Details of your Plan
Details of the Nominated Funeral Director

If you have chosen to pay by instalments you will also receive details of the amount to be paid each month and the date of your first direct debit payment

Terms and Conditions

Request a Choice Funeral Plan brochure

You can request our brochure which includes details of our funeral plans and pricing. You can choose a downloadable PDF or to have it delivered by post. Our Choice Funeral Plan brochure is also available for delivery in large print and braille.

What's Included

A comprehensive easy to understand brochure to help you find the right Funeral Plan for you or your loved one
Our "Funeral Plan Summary" with all pricing explained.
Large print or Braille if requested

Request your Free Brochure