Talking about death can feel difficult but ultimately, it’s caring. Here’s why making funeral plans early may save your family from unnecessary worries, money, and heartache.
Advertisement written in collaboration with Co-op Funeralcare
£10 sign up bonus: Earn easy cash by watching videos, playing games, and entering surveys.
Get a £10 sign up bonus when you join today.
Join Swagbucks here >>
We plan weddings, holidays and retirements like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Even budgeting, health, and mental well-being are no longer the hush-hush subjects they used to be.
But death? That’s the topic that tends to stop the room, as it can feel awkward, a bit too real, and sometimes no one’s quite sure what to say.
The problem is, death still happens, whether we talk about it or not. If we avoid the subject, the people left behind may face the costs, stress, decisions, and paperwork, right at the point they are grieving.
Unfortunately, when the time comes, some families may be left to arrange and pay for the funeral, which leaves some dipping into savings, borrowing money or even crowdfunding to cover it all.
This can leave your loved ones with a lot to arrange, and asimple conversation and a bit of planning can help to ease decisions around your funeral for the people you love.
Why death can feel like a difficult topic of conversation
A big reason some people avoid talking about death is fear. It feels too soon, too sad, or could feel a bit like tempting fate.
Research suggests that almost 18 million people in the UK feel uncomfortable talking about death. Many of us put it off, even if we know deep down it would help our families.
On top of that, many people may not have arranged a funeral before, so they often don’t know what things cost or what needs doing. It feels easier to ignore it and hope it all works out.
The trouble is, ignoring the subject does not protect our loved ones, and might leave them with additional responsibilities
How to start the chat
It’s not about being gloomy. It’s about making sure your family aren’t left to guess what you’d want, or how to pay for it, as well as giving them vital peace of mind.
Bringing it up for the first time may feel awkward, so you can always start small. You could mention an article you’ve read or even a news story about a public figure’s funeral, then say something like, “I’ve been thinking it might be helpful if we talked about what we’d want one day.”
Choose a relaxed time, when no one’s distracted or stressed. Keep the chat short and honest. You don’t need to cover everything at once, as you can build on it later.
Simple ways to record your wishes
Once you’ve had the chat, make a quick note of your thoughts.
You might include:
- Whether you’d prefer cremation or burial
- What sort of service you’d like: quiet, traditional, or a celebration of life
- Any songs, readings or personal touches you’d want
- Who you’d like to speak or attend
- How you’d prefer to cover the costs
Even a few notes in a notebook, phone, or Will can save your family a lot of uncertainty.
Some people also decide to take out a pre-paid funeral plan, which lets you arrange and pay for your funeral in advance.
One option is through Co-op Funeralcare, which offers the option to pay in one go or spread the cost over time, and right now they’re offering up to £250 off selected funeral plans until 28 November 2025 (with extra savings for Co-op members). *
Taking care of things early can help give your family peace of mind that the main arrangements have been handled.
What could happen when there’s no plan
When no one knows what you wanted, families are often left to make decisions in a hurry. People can disagree over what feels right and can often worry if they have made the right choices when it comes to a funeral arrangement.
Having a plan doesn’t remove the sadness, but it does remove a lot of the stress at an already difficult time. Your loved ones can focus on remembering you, rather than worrying about money or arrangements.
Why planning early is an act of care
Making plans for your own funeral can sound strange at first, but it’s really an act of kindness, and depending on your circumstances may make good money sense.
It means your family won’t have to make difficult choices at the worst possible time, and they won’t be left wondering if they got it wrong.
It’s not about expecting the worst, but about considering how you can make things easier when the time comes.
Skint Dad says:
“We spend so much time trying to make ends meet while we’re alive, but planning ahead for what happens after we’re gone might be one of the kindest things we ever do. It’s one less thing for them to worry about when they’ll need comfort the most.”
You can find out more about Co-op Funeralcare’s pre-paid funeral plans and the current offer at coop.co.uk/funeralcare.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Funeral plan Offer terms and conditions see: Funeral Plans Promotion – Co-op Funeralcare
To become a member £1 joining fee applies, for full membership terms and conditions see: Membership terms and conditions – Co-op
- One of the kindest gifts you can leave to your family is a plan - 7 November 2025
- Why we need to stop being awkward about money - 4 November 2025
- How to find lost money, bank accounts and missing cash - 2 November 2025
Leave a Reply