Co-op Funeralcare 1844 - 2018

We All Have Something In Common “In this world, nothing can ever be said to be certain, except death and taxes” Benjamin Franklin

Funeral Planning – Nothing New The Great Pyramid of Giza, built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu around 2,560 BC took some 10-20 years to build during the lifetime of the Pharaoh

Funeral Planning – Nothing New The Greeks knew about how to bury their dead. The body of the deceased was prepared to lie in state, followed by a procession to the resting place, either a single grave or a family tomb. The Romans were the first to bury ashes in glass urns which coincided with the introduction of glass.

Funeral Planning – Nothing New During Medieval times, the lifespan of people was rather short and you were lucky if you made it into your early 30’s. They practised both burials and cremations during this time. Mass graves were used for poorer burials (predominantly due to the Plague). During Victorian times, mourning dress was introduced with fabrics and colours changing over time marking how long it had been since the death of a loved one. They also introduced the role of the Funeral Director, where funerals had previously been arranged by the Family and Church, the increasing pomp of funerals required some serious stage management.

Funerals Vary According To Faith/Belief

Funerals Today Can Be Very Different

What Is A Funeral Plan Key Points A funeral plan allows you to pay for your funeral in advance at today’s prices. Plan holders can plan everything just they way they want it – the type of service, music, words, flowers or donations which can be recorded as part of their funeral requests. Funeral plans provide emotional and financial peace of mind, reassurance and security for you and your family. Funeral plans may vary from provider to provider in terms of their cost and the level of services that they will provide when the time comes. Funeral plans can be purchased from 18 – 80 YOA.

Why Plan For A Funeral? Financial reasons Protect against increasing cost of funerals Have spare capital to spend. Savings bond matured? Want to reduce their capital threshold (for care costs) To take away the financial burden of their next of kin having to pay for a funeral Emotional reasons Want to put their affairs in order – for peace of mind Want to avoid placing the burden of arranging for a funeral on their loved ones Want to plan their funeral in accordance with their wishes Want to avoid uncertainties with their next of kin, as to what funeral they wanted.

Annual Electricity Bill Facts & Stats Rising Costs In The Past Decade Approximately 550,000 people die in the UK Per year (i.e. 13,000 per week) Avg. life expectancy: Male – 79 Female – 83 The average cost of a funeral service today is £6,000 Including the wake, flowers etc. this is nearer to £9,000 The average short-fall in funding a funeral is £2,356 Approximately every 10 years the cost of a funeral doubles 2 in 5 people who pass away leave nothing to their next of kin Petrol Prices 19.6% Bread 15.7% Annual Electricity Bill 42.2% House Prices 19.8% Weekly Wages 20.0% Funeral 70.6%

Paying For A Funeral The average shortfall of a funeral is £2,334*, which the bereaved will have to fund, whilst grieving for their loved one *Source: SunLife Cost of Dying report 2015/2016

But It’s Not Just About Costs … The Emotional Position There is still a significant proportion of individuals in the UK who do not wish to talk about dying – believing it to be a ‘taboo’ subject or do not want to ‘tempt fate’ by having a discussion on later life arrangements. 1% People who knew exactly what the deceased would have wanted for their funeral. 31% know if their loved ones would want to be buried or cremated. 53% Do not know whether to hold a religious or non-religious service 70% Number of people who don’t know if the deceased wanted their ashes scattered, interred or disposed. *Source: SunLife Cost of Dying Report - 2016

Co-op Fully Guaranteed Funeral Plans Purchase a Plan and carry on Living – knowing that everything is taken care of

The Co-op 150 years serving local communities - the UK’s leading Funeral Director Nationwide network of more than 1,000 Co-op owned Funeral homes Conduct 1 in 5 Funerals – c100k PA , for all faiths/cultures/religions Independent Customer Satisfaction rating of 98% All Co-op Funeral Plans are fully guaranteed, with no hidden extras Provide the ‘Co-op Commitment’ on our Plans which guarantee’s there’s nothing more for the next of kin to pay, If the Plan holder passes away mid-term Invest funeral premiums in Independent Trust - protecting capital for when it is needed. Provide funeral plans with flexible payment options up to 25 years

Co-op Funeral Plan Awards

Co-op Funeral Plan Standards ‘Setting and upholding the highest industry standards to provide Customers with the best possible service’ We are regularly monitored to ensure that the services we provide for our customers abide by strict codes of practice.

Consequences Of Not Having A Funeral Plan Family and loved ones may have to find the money for the funeral Family and loved ones may not know what type of funeral your client would have wanted If the client has their funeral details contained within a will this may not be read until the funeral has taken place If the client has savings to pay for the funeral their family may not be able to access them until after the funeral Savings may not cover the cost of the funeral - the cost of an average funeral has almost doubled in the last decade.

Co-op Fully Guaranteed Funeral Plans Relieve your family of much of their worry and uncertainty, by specifying the funeral arrangements you would like Protect yourself from rising funeral costs in the future, by securing the cost of your funeral at today’s prices. Reduce the financial burden on those you leave behind by taking care of your affairs in advance QUOTE REFERENCE: LCS150 TO RECEIVE £150 DISCOUNT