Central England Co-op Funeral Plans

Prepaid funeral plans from Central England Co-op

Central England Co-op Funeral Plans is the trading name under which Central England Co-operative Funeral Plans Limited operates, a company within the Central England Co-operative Ltd group. Its business consists of marketing funeral plans purchased and paid for in advance, with the aim that the client sets the features and cost of their own funeral. The entity is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered on the UK financial services register under number 963168.

Four plan options

The range is structured into four plans differentiated by the type of service and the elements included:

• The Unattended Plan, for £1,795: direct cremation without a service, with a simple coffin.
• The Essential Plan, for £3,985: includes a simple coffin, hearse and service.
• The Flexible Plan, for £4,865: incorporates the traditional elements of a funeral, with service, an oak veneered coffin and one limousine, with options to change the coffin and transport.
• The Natural Plan, for £4,865: includes the traditional elements with service, a natural wood coffin and hearse, which where possible will be electric; it also includes an online tree dedication. It also offers options to change the coffin and transport.

The company notes that, in addition to the fixed-price set plans, it is possible to configure a personalised proposal.

Coverage and contract guarantees

The plans guarantee the cremation or burial service, as well as third-party fees and charges and the funeral director's fees. The entity states that it covers all costs at the prices in force at the time of taking out the plan, regardless of any subsequent increase, and that it does not apply hidden costs. As protection against the unexpected, the plan is carried out even if death occurs by accident before completing payments. The company also indicates that plans can be modified if the policyholder's circumstances change.

Associated funeral services

Central England Co-op Funeral Plans has an agreement with FuneralCoop for the provision of funeral services to its clients. Through that network, funeral homes, florists, a crematorium in Staffordshire, a coffin factory in Nottinghamshire and a stonemasonry team in Leicestershire dedicated to creating memorials and commemorative tributes are available. The company states it has a hundred-year history of supporting families in this area.

Information to support the policyholder

The website brings together guidance content on burial and cremation, cultural and religious requirements, frequently asked questions and the procedures for amending or cancelling a plan. It also offers the possibility of requesting a free guide and contacting the sales team to resolve doubts before taking out a plan.

Corporate structure and cooperative model

The company is part of the Central England Co-operative Ltd group, which also operates under the trading names OurCoop and FuneralCoop. The entity presents itself as a cooperative owned by its members, including employees and customers, and places its activity beyond profit-making, with attention to the community in which it works.

Location and contact

Central House, Queen Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QD · Telephone: 01543 414140