3 Unusual Ways to Scatter Your Ashes after Cremation

We know that many of our clients don’t like talking about death and when we ask if they have any wishes for the funeral or their ashes, following their cremation, we are often met with the response…

“I don’t care, I won’t be here!!”.

Now, we can’t argue with that! However, there may be something you really want (in which case make sure your loved ones know!) or you may be looking for something a little bit different.

So, here are just a few ideas for those of you looking for something a little unusual…

Being planted in a Biodegradable Urn to become a Tree

The Biodegradable Urns are made up of two capsules, one to hold your ashes and the other to hold the seed of your tree of choice.

Following your passing and cremation, your ashes are added to the Biodegradable Urn with the seed of your tree of choice and plated.

This allows your ashes to become part of nature as the tree grows and leaves a lasting physical memory for your loved ones.

Scattering your ashes in space

Your ashes can now be sent, via Aura Flights, to the very edge of space. The memorial package offers a launch from just outside Sheffield that can be attended by family, friends and loved ones. Your ashes will be placed in a scattering vessel and carried around the world on stratospheric winds, encircling the globe and joining with the Earth’s atmosphere over the following weeks and months before finally returning to Earth in raindrops and snowflakes.

A live video can be set up of the launch, for those that are unable to attend,

When the launch is complete, your loved ones will receive a memorial video and flight certificate with details of the launch.

Becoming part of a Memorial Reef

Your ashes could be placed into a Solace Stone and transported to an artificial Reef Sanctuary. This can be done in a memorial ceremony with up to 12 loved ones. Once complete your loved ones will receive a certificate of placement.

The Solace Stone encapsulating your ashes will become part of the Reef’s future growth and be home to a haven of marine life.

We are not affiliated with any of the companies that offer the above services but we do think it is important that our clients are aware of all the options that are available to them. It is important that your loved ones know exactly what you want to happen following your passing and we are always happy to help, whatever the request!

If you do have specific wishes, we would always recommend that these are included within your Will but please ensure that your loved ones are aware…sometimes the Will isn’t read until the funeral arrangements have already taken place.

If you would like to have a free chat, please contact us on info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

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26th November 202024th November 2020

Funeral Plans: The Basics

Funeral Plans:
The Basics

We thought we would go back to the basics and answer some of the questions we get asked:

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What is a Funeral Plan?

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Why do I need a Funeral Plan?

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Can’t the money that I leave be used to pay for my funeral?

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Why is a Funeral Plan important?

So, let’s get going…

What is a Funeral Plan?

At the risk of sounding patronising, a Funeral Plan is exactly that…a prepaid plan for your own Funeral.

This means that you can pay for your Funeral now (at today’s prices, rather than the cost of a Funeral when the time comes!) and be safe in the knowledge that your loved ones haven’t got to find the money to pay for it whilst waiting for your Estate to be administered or for your money to be released.

A Funeral Plan can be as basic or as detailed as you like and can consider anything from the location, burial/cremation, cars, funeral directors, flowers and even music.

Why do I need a Funeral Plan?

If one thing is guaranteed, it is that all of us are going to pass at some time (we just don’t know when!) and so having a Funeral Plan is something that all of us could benefit from.

When you pass, your family or loved ones may have to find the money to pay for your funeral before your own funds can be released from your Estate. A Funeral Plan can save your family the worry and expense of arranging a funeral, and help make things easier at what is already a very difficult time.

When the time comes, one phone call to the funeral director that you have already chosen, is all that is needed to activate the plan.

Can’t the money that I leave be used to pay for my funeral?

As we have said above, it is not always that straight forward.

When you pass, your bank accounts, pensions, and assets are frozen and in most cases will only be released upon receipt, by the bank or institution, of a Grant of Probate (or Letter of Administration if you die without a Will). This could mean that those arranging your Funeral are left having to foot the bill until they can be reimbursed by your Estate. With the average cost of funerals steadily rising year on year, this is an additional burden that your loved ones could really do without.

Why is a Funeral Plan important?

Well, I think we have covered this above but if you are still wondering whether a Funeral Plan is right for you, why not contact us for a free chat – absolutely no obligation and if you don’t want us to follow you up that is absolutely fine, it is all in your control.

Setting up a Funeral Plan is straightforward, there are different payment options; you can pay all of it upfront, over one-year with 0% interest, or over a number of years.

Having a Funeral Plan in places gives you peace of mind knowing that your loved ones haven’t got the burden of arranging or paying for your funeral and that all of your wishes are catered for.

If you would like to have a free chat about putting a Funeral Plan in place, or have any questions, please contact us on info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

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27th November 201923rd April 2020

Direct Cremation

Direct Cremation

Let’s face it, the majority of us want to avoid talking about Funerals, let alone our own!

However, if we really think about it, there are probably a few things we would like and so it is important to get out wishes down whilst we can.

The expense of a Funeral can be a large burden on our nearest and dearest at an awful time and with so many possibilities and considerations, the choices really can be endless.

So, one option is Direct Cremation but what is that, what does it involve and why should you consider it?

We take a look below…

A Direct Cremation takes place without a Funeral Service and most Funeral Directors will now offer this in addition to the traditional Funeral Service options.

A Direct Cremation can benefit those that are looking to keep costs down as well as those with few or no family. As we know, the costs of Funeral can be high and, if not planned for in advance, can leave a heavy strain on your loved ones. A Direct Cremation can also save money on an expensive coffin as there will be no Funeral Ceremony and so no procession.

This type of Cremation is also of benefit for those that do not want a big fuss, or service or would prefer their family and friends to have an alternative celebration away from the actual Funeral Service. Some may leave monies or wishes in relation to holidays, experiences or the like for their family to enjoy in their memory rather than a formal and traditional Funeral Service.

However, some of the possible downsides that you may want to consider are…

When a Direct Cremation takes place, as there is no Funeral Service this does mean that there is nothing for family or friends to attend or leave flowers at and there will be no opportunity (at a Service) for readings or eulogies. There is also no opportunity for viewing on a Chapel of Rest and no choice as to the time and place of the Cremation as this is scheduled by the Funeral Director as no one is able to attend.

Thus, although a Direct Cremation may seem like a good idea for you, and may be preferential in terms of costs, it may be worth considering any friends and families and how they may want to celebrate your life following your death.

As we said at the beginning, talking about Funerals is not a subject that any of us really enjoy.

We outline some of the other potential considerations in our article: What to consider when planning a Funeral

If you have any questions or want to discuss putting a funeral plan in place, call us on 01727 865 121 or email us at info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk for a free, relaxed and considerate discussion on how we can help

Leah Waller

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13th November 201923rd April 2020

Starting a conversation about the ‘Elephant in the Room’

Starting a conversation about the ‘Elephant in the Room’

With over 30million people in the UK without a Will, there are so many reasons that it is one of those things that gets put off, moves down the ‘To-Do List’ and sometimes just never ever gets done BUT it doesn’t have to be the difficult conversation that many expect!

Many of us put off making a Will because we don’t want to tempt fate or presume that those we want to take care of will be able to inherit our assets anyway but that isn’t always the case.

Where there is no Will, the Rules of Intestacy kick in and this means that you lose control over who you would want to inherit and this is chosen for you…

So, if you are one of those 30million that have been putting off making a Will, or have a Will that may need updating, why not take a look at some of these considerations…

Who do you want to inherit your Estate?

We all would like to think we are immortal, right?

Unfortunately, that isn’t the case and so we should have consideration for who we would want to benefit from everything we have worked hard for, when we are no longer around.

This will depend on your circumstances and is likely to change at different stages of your life, depending on your relationships, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, perhaps even godchildren or second marriages.

Estate Valuation

The value of your Estate is calculated by totalling everything that you possess, own or have an interest in at the date of your death (this will include property – residential, buy-to-lets, commercial and holiday homes), money, bank accounts, savings, ISAs, Stocks & Shares, Cars, Jewellery and personal possessions.

Any liabilities or debts will then be deducted from this total, including mortgages, loans, utility bills, credit cards plus any funeral expenses.

Inheritance Tax

If your Estate valuation totals more than £325,000 then you may have an Inheritance Tax Liability. However, there are other reliefs available including relief if you are leaving your residential property to direct descendants, if you have any business assets and if you are married or in a civil partnership and leaving your estate to your spouse or civil partner. It is worthwhile seeking advice from a professional in order to ensure you are taking advantage of all the reliefs that may be available to you.

There may also be other options available to you, depending on your Estate Valuation, your income and projected needs over your lifetime, in terms of Trusts and Financial planning to reduce any Inheritance Tax liability, again it is worthwhile seeking expert advice in relation to this.

Gifting

You may well benefit from making gifts during your lifetime, but this may not be possible for everyone.

Once you have a better idea of your Estate Valuation, who you want to benefit from your Estate upon your passing and whether you have any Inheritance Tax Liability, you may want to consider whether you could benefit from making gifts during your lifetime.

Each of us is able to make gifts of £3,000 each year without attracting any Inheritance Tax liability (and we can carry this over for one-year too!).

However, any gifts that exceed this may still be liable for Inheritance Tax if made within seven years of your death…again, we would recommend seeking professional advice if you are considering making gifts during your lifetime.

Wishes

Do your loved ones know what your plans are for the future, do you have certain expectations in relation to your later life care (this could be dealt with in a Lasting Power of Attorney) or perhaps even your funeral?

You may even want to give gifts in your Will with a condition attached (upon reaching a certain age, to be used for certain circumstances or only to be received upon meeting a condition).

Setting these out can be really helpful, not only in giving you peace of mind but also in preventing any unnecessary arguments or disputes when you are no longer around.

Charities

Another consideration that may be worth thinking about, is whether you would like to leave anything to Charity upon your passing.

If you are leaving 10% or more of your Estate to a Charity then your Inheritance Tax Liability will be reduced from 40% to 36%.

We are always happy to have a free chat to answer any questions that you may have, offer advice or help you to put something in place.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss putting a Will in place, call us on 01727 865 121 or email us at info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk for a free consultation

Leah Waller

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want to book a
FREE Consultation?

16th October 201923rd April 2020

What to consider when planning a Funeral

What to consider when planning a Funeral

Is there anyone that really wants to discuss planning their funeral…maybe a few but the majority of us avoid it like, well, the plague!

However, if we really think about it, there are probably a few things we would like and things we would definitely NOT want at our funeral but we won’t be there to help with the planning so it is important to get out wishes down whilst we can.

Putting a funeral plan in place allow you to not only get your funeral wishes document but also to pay for your funeral directors fees in advance removing that burden from your loved ones when the time comes.

After the death of a loved one the last thing our relatives need is the added stress, anxiety and arguments caused by deciding exactly what we would have wanted…a funeral plan can remove all of that. Unfortunately, arguments over what we may have wanted could cause divides within our family and this is something none of us want!

So, a funeral is a funeral right? What is there to think about?

Below we have listed a few things that you may want to consider when putting your funeral wishes in place:

Cremation or Burial?

Cremation

Following the ceremony and cremation itself the remaining ashes can be given to a loved one to keep or scatter as they wish or as you direct in your funeral wishes.

Direct Cremation

If you opt for a Direct Cremation then your body is taken from the funeral director to the crematorium and the cremation takes place without a service, this means that there will be no friends or family in attendance. The ashes can still be collected by a loved one to keep or scatter as they wish or as you direct in your funeral wishes.

Traditional Burial

A traditional burial will mean that your body and coffin will be buried in a grave, usually at a cemetery or churchyard. If you would prefer to be buried, enquiries into a burial plot and reserving your plot may be required and this is something that is best to look into beforehand.

Natural or Woodland Burial

Having a burial at a Natural or Woodland burial grounds is becoming ever more popular. With a Natural or Woodland burial is allowed to decompose in an environmentally friendly manner and the coffins are biodegradable.

If I am cremated, what happens to the ashes?

Possible options for your ashes following a cremation include:

Scattering at a favourite or memorable place;
Scattering at a memorial garden
Scattering at sea
A loved one keeping them in an urn
Burying with passed loved ones
Having them made into a keepsake (jewellery, art etc.)

What about the type of Coffin?

The type of coffin may not be important to you but some may want to take a traditional approach or a much more environmentally friendly approach and so the choice of coffin may well be important. Some options include:

Wooden (traditional)
Cardboard (could be personalised with photographs)
Wicker
Wool (biodegradable)

Religious or Non-Religious Ceremony?

This will very much depend on you as an individual and your beliefs. This may also depend on whether you would like a loved one or friend to conduct the ceremony for you or whether you would like a Celebrant (Church Minister, Civil Celebrant or Humanist Officiant) to do this.

Religious Ceremony

If you are religious you may well choose a religious ceremony and can also include your favourite hymns, prayers or readings.

Humanist Ceremony

A humanist ceremony does not include any religious content and will be

focused on celebrating your life and experiences. These ceremonies can

include poems, music and readings and you can also choose to have loved one’s speak in addition to the Humanist Officiant.

Civil Service

A civil service is often seen as the compromise between a religious and

humanist ceremony, offering a service that looks at the life of the individual and includes some religious content.

These ceremonies can include poems, music and readings as well as hymns and prayers.

How will you be transported to the crematorium or place of burial?

Some options, whether opting for something traditional or a little different, include:

Hearse (traditional)
Eco-Hearse (electric and so environmentally friendly)
Vintage Hearse
Motorcycle
Trike
Horse-Drawn Hearse

Flowers

It is completely up to you whether you would like flowers at your funeral, and if

you do what flowers you would like.

If you would prefer that flowers were not used or instead donations were made to a preferred charity or cause then this could be included within your funeral plan and wishes.

This is by no means an exhaustive list but may give you a few things to think about if you are considering putting a funeral plan in place and removing all these decisions from your loved ones at what will already be a very difficult time for them.

If you would like more information or to discuss putting a funeral plan in place, call us on 01727 865 121 or email us at info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk for a free, relaxed and considerate discussion on how we can help

Leah Waller

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7th August 201923rd April 2020

Environmentally friendly funerals

Is it possible to have an environmentally friendly funeral?

With an increased concern (and quite rightly so!) on being environmentally friendly should we be considering how to plan an environmentally friendly funeral and is this possible?

In short…YES!

Now, to what extent you go to is entirely up to you, whether you take a few steps to be environmentally friendly or go the fully environmentally friendly.

Planning your funeral, and paying for it in advance, has so many benefits!

Not only does it mean that you get the funeral that YOU want but it also saves your loved ones a huge emotional burden as well as a financial one!

Having a funeral plan in place means that any unnecessary arguments are removed and your loved ones are content in the knowledge that they are giving you the send off that you wanted.

Here are just a few ideas for you to consider:

Coffins

If you are choosing a burial, you may want to consider a coffin that is made from biodegradable materials to minimise the impact that your arrangements have on the environment.

An important consideration, if you are planning on being environmentally friendly, is the distance that your coffin has travelled and whether you want to choose a manufacturer that is local to you, to reduce this.

Some biodegradable materials that you may consider are:

- Willow
- Bamboo
- Cardboard

An alternative option, if you would like a wooden coffin, is to choose a locally sourced wood such as:

Pine
Oak
Cherry

Another consideration may be to have no coffin at all. This (although this may be surprising to some!) is an option, if you would prefer to have a material shroud instead of a coffin, this is a great environmentally friendly alternative.

Burial or Cremation?

Burial is a more environmentally friendly choice, as opposed to cremation, as it avoids the emissions of carbon monoxide, mercury and dioxin.

Travelling

Considering the travelling arrangements of those attending your funeral may be important to you. Although, you may not have control over all those that attend, you can express your wishes (such as car sharing or electric cars to be used) and could also make arrangements for an electric hearse and funeral cars.

Flowers

You may want to consider asking for flowers to be locally sourced and/or handpicked and to refrain from the use of packaging (or at least packaging that is not biodegradable).

Memorial Location

Choosing a Memorial Location that is close to your loved ones could reduce travelling when your loved ones wants to visit.

Funeral Stationery

Asking that minimal funeral stationery is used and using only recyclable paper is another environmentally friendly consideration.

Carbon Offset Contribution

You may want to consider leaving a gift in your Will to the Woodland Trust or another Carbon Offset Scheme as a contribution towards offsetting your lifetime carbon footprint (this is currently estimated at £8,000). Of course, you can leave a donation of any amount that you feel is appropriate.

If you would like a FREE chat to discuss putting a
funeral plan in place, get in touch on
info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk
or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

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Have a Question or
want to book a
FREE Consultation?

12th June 201922nd April 2020

A WELCOME CHANGE: FCA to regulate prepaid Funeral Plans

A WELCOME CHANGE:
FCA to regulate prepaid Funeral Plans

The Government has recently announced their intention to regulate the prepaid Funeral Planning market and we could not be happier!

This is a great step for the public as a whole.

This is a result of enquiries by HM Treasury that have found some customers are being caused a detriment when dealing with the Funeral Planning sector. Although, it is clear that most of these examples given by HM Treasury, occurred in the section of the Funeral Planning market that is not regulated by the Funeral Planning Authority.

We would like to take this opportunity to reassure all of our lovely clients, that we have only ever used providers that ARE supervised by the Funeral Planning Authority when advising and arranging prepaid Funeral Plans.

We are pleased that the Funeral Planning market is going to be regulated and think that this will not only provide certainty and security for clients and customers but is also a step forward for all of us that work within this sector. Knowing that the products we advise upon and arrange are the right fit for our clients and they are fully informed is always a priority of ours and so nothing will change in terms of our practice but it will be good to know that others will have to follow suit and uphold a level of expertise in the area, ensuring security for all clients and customers.

It is not yet clear exactly how such regulation will take place but we will of course embrace the changes that we are keen to see take place in the near future and are looking forward to the market reputation increase.

If you have any questions about an existing Funeral Plan or want a chat about putting one in place, get in touch for a FREE consultation on
Info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

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want to book a
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8th May 201923rd April 2020

What to do when a loved one dies…

What to do when a loved one dies...

Making the necessary arrangements after the death of a loved one is somewhat overwhelming and far from what we want to be doing. Below we have set out a few tips to set you in the right direction and always remember…you don’t need to do this alone!

Register the death

Registering the death must be done within five days and in order to do so, you will need the Medical Certificate (stating the cause of death).

You should consider how many certified copies of the Death Certificate you may need, as these may be needed to close accounts, to access funds, liaise with companies, collect in the assets and to complete probate.

When registering the death you will also receive a Certificate for Burial or Cremation.

Look for the Will

The Will, if there is one, is a very important document and may well contain the funeral wishes of the deceased.

Look for documents in relation to medical research and organ donation

These wishes may be contained in the Will but may be elsewhere.

Arrange the funeral

As said above, the Will or a Letter of Wishes (often stored with the Will) may include the funeral wishes or the deceased may well have had a funeral plan (that may also have been pre-paid) in place.

A prearranged funeral can save a lot of emotional (not to mention, financial) burden, when the time comes!

Ensure the deceased’s home is secure

This is important but may not be necessary if the deceased was not living alone and, of course, will not be necessary, if the deceased lived in a residential, care or nursing home.

Ensure their possessions safe

Just as important as the home, is the deceased’s personal possessions. It may also be apt to consider whether the deceased had a gun licence, that needs attention (as well as the weapons themselves) and whether there are any pets that need taking care of.

Find insurance documentation and inform the insurer of the death

You will need to notify the insurance companies of the death and ensure that adequate home and contents insurance is in place

Inform the DWP Bereavement Service of the death

Inform the necessary government departments of the death (“Tell us once” service)

This service will save you from providing the same information to many authorities. You will also need to return the deceased’s Passport and Driving Licence.

Inform other companies / organisations of the death

This may well include the following:

- Employer (if applicable)

- Dentist / Podiatrist / Chiropodist / Health care etc.

- Carers / Domestic or Residential Help / Cleaners etc.

- Banks

- Building Societies

- National Savings

- Insurance companies (Buildings / Contents / Car / Life etc.)

- Pension providers

- Credit card providers

- Store card providers

- Mortgage company / Landlord / Local Authority / Housing Association

- Utility providers (Electric, Gas, Water, Telephone, TV, Internet, Broadband etc.)

Administer the Estate

After the above has been dealt with and the funeral has taken place will begin the process of administering the estate (often referred to as Probate) and this will include:

- Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

- Collecting in and valuing assets

- Distribution of possessions (in accordance with any Will)

- Dealing with shares and investments

- Selling property

- Selling assets

- Consideration and payment of debts and liabilities

- Closing bank / building society accounts

- Rehoming pets

- Dealing with Inheritance Tax and Income Tax forms

As we have said, there is so much to consider and think about at such a difficult time but it is important to remember that you do not need to do it all alone!

If you would like to have a free chat about putting plans in place for yourself, or dealing with the loss of a loved one, please contact us on

info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

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Have a Question or
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12th February 201923rd April 2020

PLANNING…Checklist for Executors

PLANNING...

Checklist for Executors

This week we are focusing on Probate and the important role of Executors within the probate process.

So, let’s address a couple of questions first shall we…

What is probate?

Strictly speaking, Probate is proving the Will and showing that it is valid but many use the term to refer to the legal process following someone’s death. This is when someone with legal authority (the Executors, if there is a Will, or Administrators, if there is no Will) obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, and can then collect in and distribute the Estate of the deceased.

Probate is usually required where an Estate (all the property, cash, savings, ISAs, investments and any other valuables) of the deceased have a combined total of £5,000 or more.

What is an Executor?

An Executor is appointed in your Will and is responsible for collecting in and protecting your estate, including any property and assets that you own, and carry out the distribution of such items in accordance with your wishes.

Now for the tough part…an Executor is legally responsible for everything that they do, or fail to do, when administering the Estate and they are financially liable for any loss that results as a breach of their duty, even if the breach was a mistake

To make things a little easier (as we know that being an Executor, although a privilege to be asked, can be a massive burden!) we have set out a brief checklist of some of the things that an Executor should consider first when dealing with probate:

Obtain the Death Certificate

As the Executor you will be responsible for notifying certain people, companies and authorities of the death and so the Death Certificate will be required.

Find the original Will

As the Executor you will need the Will in order to apply for Probate.

Applying for the Grant of Probate

This is the official document giving you authority to administer the Estate of the deceased, collect in and deal with their assets and then distribute them accordingly.

Collect in assets of the Estate

The Will and any accompanying documents that the deceased may have left may well give specific instructions as to what the deceased has and, importantly, where it can be located, however such specifics may not be given.

As the Executor you will need to ensure that you collect in and account for all of the deceased’s assets including property, stocks, shares, bank accounts, ISAs, personal items etc.

This will also include searching for any missing assets.

Put insurance in place

The Executor will be responsible for ensuring that relevant insurance is in place for the assets of the deceased until they can be distributed in accordance with the Will.

Complete Inheritance Tax Forms

The Executor is responsible for completing and submitting the Inheritance Tax Forms.

The Estate is responsible for paying the Inheritance Tax due on the Estate and the Executor is responsible for ensuring this happens.

Complete

The Executor is responsible for completing and submitting the necessary Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax returns and paying, from the Estate, any tax that is due.

Pay debts and liabilities

The Executor is not responsible for paying these personally however, the Executor is responsible for ensuring that any debts and liabilities, including funeral costs, are paid from the estate.

The Executor should also put a notice to debtors in the London Gazette.

Preparing Estate Accounts

The Executor is responsible for the preparation of Estate Accounts and ensuring that the Accounts are distributed to the relevant parties.

Distribution of the Estate to the Beneficiaries

The Executor will then be responsible for distributing the Estate assets, following the payment of all debts and taxes, in accordance with the deceased’s wishes as set out in their Will.

A detailed record of this, and all the steps taken by the Executor, should be kept throughout the process.

REMEMBER…You don’t have to do everything alone, ask for help as and when you need it!

You may need to ask for professional help from solicitors, probate specialists and/or tax advisers. If the estate is relatively small and doesn’t have any complexities, the Executor may well decide that they can carry out the process by themselves and this is also fine.

If you would like to have a free chat, please contact us on info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

Got a Question or want to book a FREE Consultation?

16th January 201923rd April 2020

Why I put a Funeral Plan in place…

Why I put a Funeral Plan
in place...

This week, in an attempt to get planning the ‘grown-up’ things from the ever-growing to-do list, we are focusing on Funeral Plans. So, I thought it may be easier for me to share with you, why I have decided to put my Funeral Plan in place…

I’ve recently turned 40 and have no plans to go anywhere any time soon, but we never know when our time is up. I have two sons and adore them both equally, but they are still young and both, in the nicest way possible, useless at organising anything (if it’s not for their benefit ;))

When my time is up, one of my boys will need to take control and plan my funeral. There are so many considerations when arranging a funeral, such as:

which Funeral Directors to use?
burial or cremation?
location?
transport?
viewings of the body?
Religious or humanist service?
what hymns and/or songs would you like played?
order of service?
obituary / readings?
flowers?
charitable donations?

Not only is this quite overwhelming, it may well be the case that they are unaware of what my wishes are and why would they?

This is not a conversation that most of us have, especially with our children, so they may be left guessing at what I would have wanted and this could cause disagreements between them that could have lasting effects.

I don’t want to put that emotional burden on my boys

So, who pays for it all too?

“Surely we’ll just go to dad’s bank and get the money out from there?”

It may not be that simple. Depending on the bank they may not release any funds until probate has been carried out – this could take anywhere between 6-12 months. There also may not be enough money in my bank at the time, so how do they pay for it? My children, or a loved one will need to stump up the money themselves, and unfortunately, the cost of a funeral runs into the thousands (£££!!!) (with funeral costs having risen 122% since 2004! – Cost of Dying Report – 2018 ).

I don’t want to put that financial burden on my boys

So, this is why I put a funeral plan in place.

We are linked to one of the most reputable pre-paid funeral providers in the country, so I knew everything I needed to know already. I took the option of the low cost monthly instalments and I barely notice it coming out of my bank account. All my wishes are listed, including my preferred funeral director and now, when the time comes, all my sons need to do is make one phone call to activate the plan.

The plan is locked in at the price of when I took the plan out as the money I pay is invested in unit trusts and bonds and is guaranteed to cover the cost of the funeral directors services.

For me personally, it’s one of the most valuable services we provide as we often plan for the future with Life Insurance, Wills and planning for Inheritance Tax but when the time comes, the funeral is the first thing that needs to be sorted and paid for.

We offer free consultations, lots of free information in articles, FAQs and videos on our website, so if you would like to chat more about saving your loved ones form the emotional and financial burden, please do get in touch.

Neil Barras-Smith

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Funeral Plans:The Basics

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What is a Funeral Plan?

Why do I need a Funeral Plan?

Can’t the money that I leave be used to pay for my funeral?

Why is a Funeral Plan important?

Direct Cremation

Starting a conversation about the ‘Elephant in the Room’

What to consider when planning a Funeral

Cremation or Burial?

If I am cremated, what happens to the ashes?

What about the type of Coffin?

Religious or Non-Religious Ceremony?

How will you be transported to the crematorium or place of burial?

Flowers

Is it possible to have an environmentally friendly funeral?

Coffins

Burial or Cremation?

Travelling

Flowers

Memorial Location

Funeral Stationery

Carbon Offset Contribution

A WELCOME CHANGE: FCA to regulate prepaid Funeral Plans

What to do when a loved one dies...

PLANNING...Checklist for Executors

Why I put a Funeral Plan in place...

Funeral Plans:
The Basics

A WELCOME CHANGE:
FCA to regulate prepaid Funeral Plans

PLANNING...

Checklist for Executors

Why I put a Funeral Plan
in place...