The best Expat funeral plans

A Guide to the Most Popular Funeral Plans for Expats

Preparing for the end of your life is an important aspect of financial and personal planning, and it’s especially important for expatriates (‘Expats’) who may be living abroad for an extended period of time or indefinitely. Funeral plans for expatriates can help ensure that your final wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are supported during this difficult time.

What is a funeral plan?

A funeral plan is a way of paying in advance for services that will be required after you pass away. You pay for the specific services agreed under the plan that you select and this guarantees you the service that you choose at today’s prices.

Why should you consider a funeral plan as an Expat?

Expat funeral plans are rising in popularity as the costs of funerals abroad rises across the European Union (‘EU’).

In Spain for example, according to figures from the Organisation of Consumers and Users, the average price of a traditional burial is €3,739. The cost of cremation is close behind at €3,617.

Is there any way around this? Some consumers are turning to pre-paid funeral plans, which have several benefits including:

Locking in funeral costs;
Removing any language barrier for your loved ones; and
Having representatives of the plan provider available to explain any differences in funeral customs (if you are not being repatriated).

Although there are a large number of options available, this article will focus on funeral plans available in some of the most popular countries for Expats.

What should you look for in an Expat funeral plan?

Here are some things to consider when planning how to finance your funeral as an Expat:

Location: If you are living abroad, it’s important to consider where you would like your funeral to take place. Some expatriates choose to have their funeral in their home country, while others opt for a local funeral in their host country.
Cost: Funerals can be expensive, especially if you are planning to have your funeral in a different country. It’s important to compare prices and consider purchasing a funeral plan to help cover the costs.
Cultural considerations: If you are living in a country with a different culture, you may wish to consider incorporating cultural traditions into your funeral plans. This could include specific religious or cultural rituals, or the use of certain types of music or flowers.

Funeral Inspirations recommendations

From 29 July 2022, it became a requirement that all UK funeral plan providers seek FCA regulation to continue operating.

At the time of writing there are only two UK companies that are authorised by the FCA, so this article will focus on those providers.

It is of course an option to look at funeral plan providers in the country you are residing in, but the benefit of opting for a UK company is that your relatives are provided with assistance after your passing by an English-speaking team.

1. Golden Leaves International Pre Paid Plans

Golden Leaves, the parent company of Golden Leaves International, was founded in 1984 and has grown to become a prominent and highly regarded provider of funeral plans both within the UK and abroad.

Golden Leaves Funeral Plans are a founding member of The National Association for Pre-paid Funeral Plans, an association which represents the majority of funeral plan companies in the UK, and has played a significant role in the establishment of the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA).

They have been shortlisted for a number of awards such as for the SME National Business of the Year Awards 2020 and for the UK Customer Experience awards 2020. The company has an average rating of 4.7/5 stars on Trustpilot (based on 3,155 reviews).

Funeral Plans on offer

For ease of comparison, the below prices given for each plan are relevant for those who pass away in Spain. Prices for other countries are listed below the table.

The majority of the above plans are also available in both Portugal and Cyprus. The costs are as follows:

Golden Leaves Funeral Plans in Portugal

– Direct Plan – €2320, 12-96 monthly payments available.
– Simple Plan – €3850, 12-96 monthly payments available.
– Traditional Plan – €4050, 12-96 monthly payments available.
– Repatriation Plan – €9000, 12-96 monthly payments available.

Golden Leaves Funeral Plans in Cyprus

– Simple Plan – €3110, 12-96 monthly payments available.
– Traditional Plan – €3420, 12-96 monthly payments available.
– Repatriation Plan – €7950, 12-96 monthly payments available.

With Golden Leaves International, you can cancel the plan within 30 days or within 7 days of telling the company who your preferred funeral director is to receive a full refund. After this, they will retain €274 or £239 as an administration charge.

2. Avalon Pre Paid Plans

Avalon Funeral Plans have over 25 years of experience in the market. Their products are multi award winning, with the company overall being voted the Best Funeral Plan Provider for three years running in The Personal Finance Awards. Avalon’s Premium Plan is also Defacto 5* rated.

As well as being partnered with over 1,800 funeral directors nationwide, Avalon offer expat funeral plans in Spain, Cyprus and Portugal.

They are established and are highly regarded by their customers, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot (based on 3,224 reviews).

Avalon Funeral Plans Available

For ease of comparison, the below prices given for each plan are relevant for those who pass away in Spain. Prices for other countries are listed below the table.

Plan features	Expat Direct to Cremation Plan	Expat Simple Cremation Plan	Expat Plus Cremation Plan	Repatriation Cremation Plan	Repatriation Burial Plan
Cost	€2495.	€3995.	€4495.	€8950.	€8950.
Monthly Payment Options Available?	Instalments available from €32.62. Total payable: €3962.60.	Instalments available from €52.20 Total payable: €6344.	Instalments available from €58.60 Total payable: €7132.	Instalments available from €183.09. Total payable: €11485.	Instalments available from €183.09. Total payable: €11485.
Coffin included	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.
Constraints on date and time of funeral?	No funeral service included, this is a direct cremation plan.	No funeral service included. The costs associated with this would need to be met by the next of kin.	None specified.	None specified. This plan does specify that the service at the crematorium will be family-led. Minister or celebrant fees are not included.	None specified. This plan includes a minister or celebrant fee.
Access to a Chapel of Rest for family and friends to visit?	No.	No.	No.	No.	No.
Limosine included?	No.	No.	No.	No.	No.
Cortege included?	No.	No.	No.	No.	No.
Pallbearers Included?	No.	No.	Use of relevant staff to conduct the funeral service included.	No.	Use of relevant staff to conduct the funeral service included.
Hearse Included?	No.	No.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
Cremation or burial fees included?	Yes, cremation fees.	Yes, cremation fees.	Yes, cremation fees.	Yes, cremation fees.	Yes, burial fee.
Repatriation Included?	No.	No.	No.	Yes.	Yes.
Any Extras?	24 hour bereavement line with English Speaking operators based in Europe, national and international death certificate.	3 days of mortuary expenses, 24 hour bereavement line with English Speaking operators based in Europe, national and international death certificate, a simple urn, cremation certificate allowing ashes to be taken on board an aircraft, time to pay last respects.	Funeral director advice on the certification and registration of death, minister of celebrant made available for funeral service, relevant staff to provide the funeral service, cremation fees, 4 days of mortuary expenses, small spray of flowers, 24 hour bereavement line with English Speaking operators based in Europe, national and international death certificate, a simple urn, cremation certificate allowing ashes to be taken on board an aircraft, time to pay last respects.	Services of a funeral director in Spain and in mainland Great Britain, including advice on the certification and registration of death, 4 days of mortuary expenses in Spain, a high quality coffin, a medical certificate for cremation, transportation to the airport in Spain, contribution of up to €1000 for the flight for the deceased to Great Britain, transportation of the deceased to the crematorium, a family led service at the crematorium, 24 hour bereavement line with English Speaking operators based in Europe.	Services of a funeral director in Spain and in mainland Great Britain, including advice on the certification and registration of death, 4 days of mortuary expenses in Spain, a high quality coffin, transportation to the airport in Spain, a flight for the deceased to mainland Great Britain or Northern Ireland, a contribution of £250 for the collection and care of the deceased from the airport, supply of a simple coffin for burial, 24 hour bereavement line with English Speaking operators based in Europe, A disbursement allowance of up to £1000 which can be put towards a burial fee, a doctor’s fee for a medical certificate, a minister or celebrant fee.
What’s Not Included?	Face to face appointments with a funeral director, viewing of the deceased, dressing of the deceased in personal items, family attendance at the crematorium, embalming or removal of any pacemaker, choice of date, time or location of cremation, transportation of mourners, a wake, delivery of ashes, obituary notices, floral tributes, interment of ashes, a memorial, repatriation or transfer of the deceased.	Costs associated with a service, a wake, obituary notices, floral tributes, a burial plot, a memorial, transportation of funeral guests, list of funeral guests who sent flowers or donations, order of service, audio or visual equipment, interment of ashes, repatriation or transfer of deceased.	Venue costs for a church service, a wake, obituary notices, extra flowers of floral tributes, a burial plot, a memorial, transportation of funeral guests, list of funeral guests who sent flowers or donations, order of service, audio or visual equipment, interment of ashes, repatriation or transfer of deceased.	Venue costs for a church service, a wake, obituary notices, extra flowers of floral tributes, a burial plot, a memorial, transportation of funeral guests, list of funeral guests who sent flowers or donations, order of service, audio or visual equipment, interment of ashes, repatriation to or from any other country, delivery of ashes back to Spain.	Venue costs for a church service, a wake, obituary notices, extra flowers of floral tributes, a burial plot, a memorial, transportation of funeral guests, list of funeral guests who sent flowers or donations, order of service, audio or visual equipment, repatriation to or from any other country.

The majority of the above plans are also available in both Portugal and Cyprus. The costs are as follows:

Avalon Portugal Funeral Plans

Portugal
– Direct Plan – €2495, monthly payment options available.
– Simple Plan – €3995, monthly payment options available.
– Plus Plan – €4495, monthly payment options available.
– Repatriation Cremation Plan – €8950, monthly payment options available.

Avalon Cyprus Funeral Plans

Cyprus
– Repatriation Cremation Plan – €6950, monthly payment options available.
– Repatriation Burial Plan – €7450, monthly payment options available.

What alternatives are there?

If you aren’t sure if a funeral plan is the solution for you, then here are two other options that may be a better fit for your circumstances:

International funeral insurance: This type of insurance provides coverage for funeral expenses, and can often be customized to meet your specific needs.
Funeral trusts: A funeral trust is a legal agreement that allows you to set aside funds specifically for your funeral arrangements.

Plan Features	Direct	Simple	Traditional	Repatriation
Cost	€2320	€3850	€4250	€9000
Monthly Payment Options available?	Yes. 12 monthly payments: €185 p/m (€2320 total) 24 monthly payments €98.05 p/m (€2453.20 total) 36 monthly payments €69.29 p/m (€2594.39 total) 48 monthly payments €55.08 p/m (€2744.06 total) 60 monthly payments €46.72 p/m (€2902.70 total) 72 monthly payments €41.26 p/m (€3070.86 total) 84 monthly payments €37.49 p/m (€3249.11 total) 96 monthly payments €34.77 p/m (€3438.06 total)	Yes. 12 monthly payments: €312.50 p/m (€3850 total) 24 monthly payments €165.63 p/m (€4075 total) 36 monthly payments €117.04 p/m (€4313.50 total) 48 monthly payments €93.05 p/m (€4566.31 total) 60 monthly payments €78.90 p/m (€4834.29 total) 72 monthly payments €69.70 p/m (€5118.35 total) 84 monthly payments €63.33 p/m (€5419.45 total) 96 monthly payments €58.74 p/m (€5738.61 total)	Yes. 12 monthly payments: €345.83 p/m (€4250 total) 24 monthly payments €183.29 p/m (€4499 total) 36 monthly payments €129.53 p/m (€4762.94 total) 48 monthly payments €102.97 p/m (€5042.72 total) 60 monthly payments €87.32 p/m (€5339.28 total) 72 monthly payments €77.13 p/m (€5653.64 total) 84 monthly payments €70.08 p/m (€5986.85 total) 96 monthly payments €65 p/m (€6340.07 total)	Yes. 12 monthly payments: €741.67 p/m (€9000 total) 24 monthly payments €393.08 p/m (€9534 total) 36 monthly payments €277.78 p/m (€10100.04 total) 48 monthly payments €220.83 p/m (€10700.04 total) 60 monthly payments €187.27(€11336.04 total) 72 monthly payments €165.42 p/m (€12010.21 total) 84 monthly payments €150.30 p/m (€12742.82 total) 96 monthly payments €139.40 p/m (€13482.31 total)
Coffin included	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.	Yes, a simple coffin conforming to international travel requirements.
Constraints on date and time of funeral?	No funeral service included, this is a direct cremation plan.	No funeral service included. Family and friends can attend the cremation but there is no service.	No.	None mentioned. A contribution of up to £2,000 towards a UK funeral service is included.
Access to a Chapel of Rest for family and friends to visit?	No.	Yes.	Yes.	Not applicable.
Cortege included?	Not applicable.	Not applicable.	No.	Not applicable.
Limosine included?	Not applicable.	Not applicable.	No.	Not applicable.
Hearse included?	Not applicable.	Yes, for a journey to the local crematorium.	Yes, for a journey to the local crematorium.	Not applicable.
Cremation and/or burial fees included?	Yes, cremation fee.	Yes, cremation fee.	Yes, cremation or burial fees.	Not applicable.
Repatriation Included?	Not applicable, but a certificate is provided to allow ashes to be taken on board an aircraft.	Not applicable, but a certificate is provided to allow ashes to be taken on board an aircraft.	Not applicable, but a certificate is provided to allow ashes to be taken on board an aircraft.	Yes. All legal requirements for repatriation will be attended to. Delivery of the deceased to the airport in Spain and from the UK airport to a funeral directors (within 100km of the airport) is included.
Any extras?	Supply of a simple urn. Ashes returned to family within mainland Spain. Death Certificate in language of country of residence and translated to English. Dual plan cover with UK. 24-hour English speaking emergency helpline.	Supply of an urn. Death Certificate in language of country of residence and translated to English. Dual plan cover with UK. 24-hour English speaking emergency helpline.	Supply of an urn or a burial plot in Spain (cost of plot limited to €660).Death Certificate in language of country of residence and translated to English.Dual plan cover with UK. 24-hour English speaking emergency helpline.	Advice to executors relating to registration and documentation. 24-hour English speaking emergency helpline.£1000 disbursement allowance towards the costs of repatriating the deceased by air.
What’s not included?	Mortuary expenses for longer than one day. Burial costs. A funeral service.Viewing of the deceased. Contribution to repatriation of ashes.	Mortuary expenses for longer than three days. Burial costs. Embalming. A funeral service.Contribution to repatriation of ashes.	Mortuary expenses longer than five days. Contribution to repatriation of the ashes.	An additional funeral service in Spain.