Avalon Funeral Plan Reviews 2019 – our verdict.
Funeral Plan Quotes
In reviewing Avalon funeral plans, we have been pretty critical of the administration in the past. We still wouldn’t recommend them except in unusual circumstances, but that is because there are better plans from other companies at much lower prices. Things do seem to be on a much more even keel administratively these days. But they are expensive and relatively high charging plans with a modest allowance for third-party costs. It has also not been easy to check prices without inviting a well-trained salesperson into your home. Whilst their client trust funds appear healthy, according to the Directors Annual Report, the company accounts are less so as at January 2019 showing substantial losses.
We believe that people should be able to read brochures, prices and terms and conditions quietly before making up their mind whether they wish to even discuss things with a salesperson. Saying no to a person sitting in your lounge is not easy, and you can hardly read pages of literature and terms and conditions while they watch! We believe everyone should read them, and in peace and quiet BEFORE they sign on the dotted line! That is why we always post the full recommendation pack out.
Summary
- Improving, expensive.
- Relatively low allowance for third-party costs in their normal plans, so shortfall highly likely.
- Still concerns on customer service and determination to send out salespeople – you may have trouble getting their prices without a salesperson visiting you at home UPDATE – prices are now shown on their site, we are pleased to say – see below.
- Accounts look negative but may well be OK – we are not accountants.
- Of interest where people spend substantial time abroad in one of the areas they cover (though there are others who do the same).
Avalon Funeral Plan Prices as at November 2018.
- Cremation only – their Direct Cremation plan costs £1,895 significantly more than our recommended “best buy.”
- The Avalon Balmoral Plan – a standard basic prepaid funeral plan costs £3,645 around £450 more than the current best buy which has significantly better terms and benefits.
- The Highgrove Plan priced at £3,995 adds a better coffin and a limo for the family. It still suffers from a lower allowance for third party costs despite being more than £400 more expensive than the plan we would recommend at the moment.
- The Avalon Windsor Way funeral plan costs £4,225 and adds a better coffin and an additional limo for the family. Again, it is substantially more expensive than the current best option, with a lower third-party cost allowance.
Looking at Avalon Trustee Company Ltd accounts, the company seems to have been trading at a massive loss, which is never a good thing. But we are not accountants, and apparently, the reason for it is the number of plans paid in instalments, so things should even out. According to their 2016 accounts, the fund intended to pay for funerals is in adequate shape and that is the main thing. The company seems to be owned primarily by Nirvana Holdings Ltd, which in turn seems to be owned by a company called Tamaflow Limited which we believe is Irish.
The fact that Avalon Funeral Plans have been accepted as members of the Funeral Planning Authority reflects the efforts of the new management to turn the company around. However, membership of the Funeral Planning Authority is not the same as being formally regulated. That is the impression given by FPA members. But the FPA is still a good thing!
We can still normally improve on any UK offer Avalon Funeral Planning may make. We will still add the bonus package should there be a better value alternative for you. But we really are pleased to note the improvements.
To find out if Avalon Funeral plans might be right for you, why not give the Prepaid Funeral Plan Review team a call on 0800 0588 240? Or use our Funeral Plan Enquiry Form.
If you have dealings with Avalon – good or bad – we would be pleased to hear from you.
One thing Avalon Funerals prepaid funerals do have is a very active sales force – we don’t have a sales force at all. We just offer Independent advice on what is best (for you) in the prepaid funeral plan market.
Avalon Funeral Plan Reviews: Complaints – just a passing phase?
It seems likely that the moans about Avalon are now consigned to history. Avalon are now one of the plans we consider, as opposed to one we avoid like the plague!
Avalon funeral plan best buy??
Avalon Prepaid Funeral Plans
Here is their own Press Release (their opinions, not ours!)
Avalon Funeral Plans According to Avalon!
“Providing Simple & Sorted Effective Funeral Services.
The trained consultants (i.e. sales people) proffer a courteous and sensitive advisory service that promises peace of mind for something that is not so easy to talk about.
About Avalon: Avalon Funeral Plans was founded in 1990 though it is now under different ownership. They also make arrangements in countries like Spain, Turkey and Cyprus apart from UK.
The Prepaid Funeral Review says If you would like independent advice on your choice of prepaid funeral plan, GO HERE and download our questionnaire. Or just give us a call on 0800 0588 240. It will help you consider which benefits are most important to you. All the plans on offer their own unique set of features. We will review your wishes against our features and benefits database and recommend what we believe to be the most suitable plan for you. All we ask is that if you decide to accept our advice, you buy the plan through us. In the unlikely event that you find the recommended funeral plan cheaper elsewhere, let us know and we’ll try to renegotiate the price for you.
For advice about which Funeral Plan is most suitable for your personal circumstance go here.
For those of you looking for a job selling Avalon funeral plans, why not have a look at our proposition which allows you to run your own business offering independent advice on prepaid funeral plans.
Avalon Prepaid Funeral Plans Reviewed.
We are not connected with Avalon, but here are their contact details:
What is the address for Avalon Funeral Plans head office? Brooke Court, Lower Meadow Road, Handforth Dean, Wilmslow, SK9 3ND. Their telephone number is 0161 486 2020 or 0800 014 9112. The company name is The Avalon Trustee Company Ltd. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02836336