Burial Trusts: Taking the financial burden from family

22 September 2026

Burial Trusts, sometimes referred to as funeral plans, pre-paid funerals or funeral trusts, can allow you to set money aside to cover the costs of funeral and burial services.

These legally binding financial arrangements can emotionally and financially relieve loved ones from burdens while they are mourning.

When choosing a Burial Trust, solicitors advise on the various options available, ensure the arrangement is appropriate for your circumstances and help you understand the terms, benefits and potential limitations of the trust before you make a commitment.

What types of funeral plan exist?

The main type of Burial Trust is a pre-paid funeral, which is normally set up with a specific funeral home.

Within the terms of the contract, you select and lay out the details for funeral and burial services and the funeral provider holds the trust until the funds need to be released.

Pre-paid funeral trusts often consider:

• Funeral director services: A coffin and hearse for the day and professional care of the deceased leading up to the funeral.
• Third-party costs: The costs of cremation, burial, and ministers present at services.
• Service types: Whether your loved one wants a cremation, which is unattended or attended, or a traditional attended burial.

It is important to consider that expenses such as wakes, catering, memorials and flowers may not be included in these plans.

Why do I need a Burial Trust?

Aside from the fact that a Burial Trust gives your family peace of mind once your life has come to an end, it also allows for financial peace of mind.

Since July 2022, all pre-paid funeral plan providers must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), meaning that your money is safe even if the provider fails.

Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can make the endeavour much cheaper when it comes time to exercise the plan. As funeral costs are always rising, pre-paying locks in the price of the funeral director’s services.

A Burial Trust can also form an important part of your wider estate planning. By setting aside funds specifically for funeral expenses and documenting your wishes in advance, you can help minimise uncertainty for your loved ones and reduce the risk of disagreements when the time comes.

When used alongside a Will, a Burial Trust can provide greater clarity about your intentions and help ensure your estate is administered in line with your wishes.

A Burial Trust also offers financial relief for loved ones. They will not have to scramble to find thousands of pounds to cover unexpected funeral expenses during an already tough time.

There are also considerations surrounding your exact wishes. As you are the one to plan your funeral, it ensures that your wishes are truly upheld for your funeral.

Contact a solicitor

Our solicitors can ensure the provisions in the Will match the funeral plans, so your loved ones’ plans for their ceremony are protected.

We can also help set up and manage personalised funeral trusts to keep money aside specifically for funeral costs, removing tough decisions during a period of grief.

For support with Burial Trusts, get in touch with our team.