Avalon Funeral Plan Reviews 2021 – our verdict.
We are pleased to report that Avalon funeral plans are much more open and approachable than they used to be, and they no longer rely pretty much exclusively on their direct sales force to insulate them from the competition, reflecting their increasing competitiveness, We have been pretty critical of the administration in the past, but are now on an even keel administratively. They have been established over 25 years, and are regulated by the Funeral Planning Authority, which ensures that all members abide by a set of rules and a Code of Practice. We certainly find they are worth considering, though our final recommendation depends on many factors.
We are especially pleased that Avalon is one of the increasing number of firms offering a guarantee on instalment plans over 2 years that the funeral will be paid for even if the client dies after as little as 2 years. This is subject to some terms and conditions to prevent abuse but is most welcome. The Avalon Promise is backed with healthy funds, and not all similar promises are.
Avalon has recently added two new plans for those looking for a simple cremation:
- CREMATION WITH SERVICE: which includes a simple family-led service at your local crematorium. This is a new and welcome concept.
- CREMATION ONLY PLAN: for a low cost, fuss-free cremation with no facility for family to attend. This is their Direct Cremation plan.
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. I am glad that Avalon endorses this view, and offer the opportunity to be sent a brochure, discuss matters on the phone or have a home visit. Clearly, you should talk to us to get an independent view!
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We believe everyone should read the full terms and conditions of ANY funeral plan, and in peace and quiet BEFORE they sign on the dotted line! That is why we always post the full recommendation pack out. Avalons are provided online and in paper format with a brochure.
Summary Review of Avalon Funeral Plans.
- Offer a range of funeral plans that guarantee to fix key Funeral Director costs at today’s prices. They do allow for doctors fees however, which many don’t and also collection from any part of the UK – more than 25 miles is often an added extra with other plans. Many plans don’t cover doctors fees or embalming.
- They are happy to update your plan if you should move to a different area.
- Acceptance is guaranteed irrespective of age and healt, no medicals or intrusive questionnaires..
- Flexible payments – if you buy in instalments, you can increase payments to pay it off quicker, or pay off the balance anytime you wish, without penalty. Plus the Avalon Promise.
- Of interest where people spend substantial time abroad in one of the areas they cover (though there are others who do the same).
- They work exclusively with over 1800 local independent funeral directors a larger network that the two biggest providers.
- The Avalon Promise means that folk paying on instalments over more than 2 years will be covered fully if they die after the 12th monthly payment has been made – subject to terms and conditions. We are pleased to see that more companies are starting to offer this valuable extra.
- Plans are transferable, but the Avalon Promise is not.
- Lifelocker is an interesting concept, where you can upload copies of important documents, photos, and write your own life story. You can also create video messages for your family and share your information with your loved ones.
Avalon Funeral Plan Prices as at January 2021.
- Cremation only – their Direct Cremation plan costs £1,895
- Cremation with Ceremony £2,645
- The Standard Plan – a NORMAL prepaid funeral plan costs £3,645.
- The Plus 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 Premium Funeral Plan funeral plan costs £4,245 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. It has, however, won a Defacto 5 Star rating.
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!
To find out if Avalons plans might be right for you, why not give the Prepaid Funeral Plan Review team a call on 0800 0588 240? Or use our Enquiry Form. If you have dealings with Avalon Prepaid Plans – 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!
Here is their own Press Release (their opinions, not ours!)
Avalon Funeral Plans According to them!
“Providing Simple & Sorted Effective Funeral Services.
The trained consultants proffer a courteous and sensitive advisory service that promises peace of mind for something that is not so easy to talk about.
About Avalon: 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 plans, why not have a look at our proposition which helps you to run your own business offering independent advice on prepaid funeral plans.
Avalon Prepaid Funeral Plan Reviews.
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
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