....to have no plans or money organised for my funeral?

[user1491724818]

My DH and I have nothing organised for our funerals when the time comes.

We are middle-aged and I have had health problems which have made me think a lot about my own mortality of late.

We have no savings, but no debt either. Nothing to pay for a funeral with if one of us died suddenly.

No ideas or arrangements either. We are not religious. No idea who we would call to do the whole thing for us if one of us went.

I suppose cremation over burial? We don't have any plots bought and don't live near a family plot.

We live far from our families and whoever is left will have little to no input/support when the time comes.

I'd just like to get as much organised as possible and then put it in a folder somewhere so that the person left to organise it all will have less stress and rushing about to do.

We have no life insurance - but I am guessing the funeral expenses and other arrangements should be put aside outside of insurance anyway?

The last thing I want is for any family/in-laws to be dumped on to pay for stuff. That is not my intention at all.

Pretty clueless about this stuff. As you've no doubt noticed!

Thanks all!

Not sure where you live OP but someone I know is donating her body to Leeds Medical School. Apparently they do a basic funeral afterwards. At no cost to your estate.

If you end up getting a pre paid one, please please don't go with the co op. Although the coop is brilliant generally, they are worst funeral directors I have ever dealt with (clergy, so have a lot of interactions with them)

caulk. I'm surprised to read that you don't recommend the co-op. They were brilliant when my brother died. Practical and very kind dealing with my elderly parents' grief. I suppose different branches vary.

I wondered if I needed to add area brackets to my post. IME and that of many colleagues, they aren't always great. However some branches may be brilliant.

My brother is a funeral director with the co-op, theyre fine as far as I know but their clients tend not to complain too much

Phone around all of them in your area and ask what they offer. You will get an idea whether you are comfortable using them or not.

Dignity was the company whose plans we offered, highly recommended by members whose families had used them.

We did find our interaction with the coop good. Parents died a year apart and it was the same branch both times, and the same office staff. We had to change something in the newspaper announcement at the last minute and she dealt with it. Mind you, we don't live near that branch so it wouldn't be them.

I don't want any service at all when I die, just cremated and my ashes interred in the plot where my daughter rests, I'll be glad to shuffle off this mortal coil. If you want to be cremated and nothing else, it's worth building up a wee nest egg for this purpose.

Dignity was the company whose plans we offered, highly recommended by members whose families had used them

Thanks you so much OvariesBeforeBrovaries - just been browsing their site and requested a brochure!

I am not 50 quite yet, my partner is over 50 - so we'll get started on this. It looks perfect IMO.

Thank you everyone for all taking the time to reply to me. You've all been so very helpful and I have taken into account everything you've all said. It's great to hear that others have taken this step too.

Very sobering to read about how families are sometimes left high and dry (I was myself with my father). I agree it's not right when a bit of organisation in advance would avoid making things worse for those who remain. It's an act of kindness and thoughtfulness towards your loved ones, isn't it?

Thank you!!!!!

I am the OP, in case I've caused confusion

Oooh goodie!!! My funeral packs have just arrived!!! Golden Charter and Dignity.

Mentioned it to DH and he said what an appropriate weekend for it to arrive. Told him that I am not sure the packs can guarantee resurrection