Apologies in advance for morbid topic

A childless aunt of mine had arranged and prepaid hers with a local independent firm - all quite simple. We appreciated her consideration very much, since it was one less thing to have to think about, and there was no need to wonder what she’d have wanted.

Grannynannyw

It certainly isnt morbid at all, if anything it is sensible.

I am 55 yrs old.I have sorted my will out, written out detail for detail my funeral wishes and left money in the bank for it, with full intention of my children not having the worry and stress of it all .

My mum did the same and boy oh boy did it take a huge weight off my shoulders.

My mum used to say " I wont die any sooner if I sort it all out now."

At first I shuddered with the mere thought, but when the time came that my precious mum was no longer here, the relief and weight that instantly lifted was beyond explanation, and so I did the same.

Dundee University Medical School disposes of donated bodies and organise a memorial service in the university chapel for families. I have not heard of remains being returned to families.
However, as has been mentioned above not all proposed donations are accepted for various reasons.

Paddyanne Not completely true my two friends have both signed up for their bodies to go to medical science and they have signed something that says whether they want their bodies or not and whatever is left if they do use their bodies or bits can either be returned to family OR can be disposed of by the Medical organisation itself After discussing it with their children they have both signed for their bodies to be disposed of by the organisation
I m not sure whether this has changed since you got your information or whether it varies depending on the medical organisation but that’s what they were told this year when they both signed up

Thanks everyone for your replies. A prepaid funeral plan has now moved to near the top of my to do list!

My husband and I had prepaid plans. It was such a help when he died. Everything was covered except the ‘wake’ but, I would not have expected that.

We chose up front how many cars, the announcements and service sheets. There were family flowers only so there were no unexpected bills. I would say, go for it.

If you're hoping to leave your body to medical science, you do need to have a Plan B. Your body may not be accepted for any number of reasons. My mother had stipulated in her will that this was what she wanted, but the medical school were unable to accept as they already had their quota of bodies at the time. It's a great thing to do and wonderful if that wish can be fulfilled, but you do need to think of what you would want if it can't happen.

Years ago, Mum and her 3 friends attended the funeral of a friend who had a Co-op Funeral Plan in place. They were so impressed, not only by the Funeral but also by the price, which was held at the cost she had paid when she bought the Plan , that they organised a trip. First call, the Co-Op Funeral place, where they all bought their Plans, then over the road to the Co-op shop for a spot of shopping and lunch
On the back of this I, too, bought a Co-op Funeral Plan in 2000 when I had a C. dx., where it stays in my desk drawers ready.... my son, who lives in the US, knows this and knows where the Plan is.
Sorted!
Frees me and my money up to spend,spend,spend!
Now that's what I call a win/win situation

"Pinkcakes" Be aware if either of you have to undergo an Autopsy you will not be accepted by the University and you will have to convert to normal burial procedures,this happened with my lovely husband at the beginning of this year so always make sure you have the Undertakers costs put to one side.

My mum had one of these plans .It was such a great help I must say. She’d even chosen the music she wanted - she loved classical music - I would strongly recommend them from the beneficiary point of view. Sorry for not editing previous post !

My mum had one of thee plans . It was such Agra’s help I must say . She’s even chosen the music she wanted playing I’d strongly recommend them .

The best plan is, don't have a funeral. I've left firm instructions about this.

I am 67 years old and bought a funeral plan many years ago as I didn't want the costs of my funeral to fall on the shoulders of my sister and her family. Whatever money I do leave is there for them to enjoy themselves with. My funeral is not their responsibility, it's mine.

DH and I have funeral plans with the Co-op. He still works for them part so with the staff discount, we have a good deal.
DH has a family plot waiting for him at the cemetery, I wish to be cremated.

My mother passed away a few weeks ago. She had donated her body to medical science so had no plans for a funeral. However, in the event the university was unable to take her body due to COVID. As we would only been allowed 10 people at a funeral (her 5 children and partners made most of that number) and because she was determined that she did not want a funeral we decided on an unattended cremation which was not particularly expensive and in time when things are somewhat more normal we will arrange the spreading of her ashes.

Here, (Victoria Australia) the donated bodies are returned to the family after cremation by the university, however, not all of the body is necessarily cremated or returned at the same time.

i do not have a pre-paid funeral but have spoke to my son about what i want, i will have a no fuss cremation, so no funeral or service, he is happy for me to do that as he saw the problems i had at his dads funeral, my sil took over and nothing that my husband wanted was done, i felt for years that i had let him down and i do not want my son going through the same thing

Thank you all very much for your helpful and informative replies. I feel even more inclined now to arrange one.

Grannynannywanny, first, decide if you want a funeral or just an unattended cremation.

I have a prepaid cremation plan and my family can just scatter my ashes - or have a little memorial service if they really want to. It's nice to have it all arranged.

I have a prepaid plan as does my partner. Mine is with a local funeral director in the big city where I live & my partner's is with s well known national company because he lives elsewhere in the UK & might need to be transported "home" from staying with me. (We don't live full time together you see.)
I visited 4, yes four, different funeral directors & asked every question I could think of about their processes & practices including how my money is looked after etc. I went into every detail I could & was met with kindness & understanding from all. I even phoned the local crematorium to ask about the actual cost of a cremation just to make sure the funeral directors weren't loading their price, & emailed the appropriate person responsible for the area where I'd like my ashes interred. There will be an additional cost implication to that you see. Overall I was highly satisfied with everything I learned and went with the company I felt most at ease with. I suggest anyone planning on paying up front will benefit from doing likewise. You won't regret it.

I think the funeral business will be the last to fail.
Doodledog

Thanks for the reminder. I'm sure our DC would be pleased . My MiL has had her funeral plan lodged with all her DC for at least 30 years. She'll outlive us all.
It has the hymns and where she wants to be buried. It also has what she wants in the sandwiches at the wake. She's been to too many mean funerals in her time.

My siblings and I actually enjoyed the special time between our DMum's death and her funeral. Together we chose the music, the flowers, wrote a notice for the paper, let everyone know and looked through the old albums. She was in her 90s so it was sad but not depressing..

Pinkcakes when the lab is finished with you you'll be retuurned to your family to dispose of by cremation or burial.Theres no time limit on how long they can keep you though so your family will need to have money set aside for a basic funeral.Thats what we were told by the lawyer who wrote our will for us.He also said they sometimes get too many bodies and refuse some .Nothing is simple.It may be different where you are but I'd check if I were you

I've been thinking about this as we've just sorted wills and POAs. My husband is against the idea as he feels that you are gambling on the company staying in business.

My point of view is that if we end up going into care the government will take all our savings, so instead of being able to leave the children a modest inheritance we could leave them with debt.

We've only had a very cursory discussion, but it's something I want to discuss further at some point soon.

Friend of mines mother had hers booked and paid for....
However my friend was not happy and convinced her mother had paid for a lot more than was provided, when sadly she died .
I would say share copy of what is covered with family or whoever and have no surprises.

I'm so grateful to you for bringing this up as it left my mind completely.

I think that it's a really loving thing to do for family to take away the stress and expense, not that it's not loving not to, it's just not something many think about and knowing me it will leave my mind for a bit again... I will set myself a reminder.

Pinkcakes
Same here. My daughter loved the idea ?