Only around 40% of UK adults have a will. Even fewer have made any plans for their funeral. This means millions of families face the difficult task of arranging a funeral while grieving — often without knowing what their loved one would have wanted, and frequently paying more than necessary.
Planning ahead — writing a will and setting out your funeral wishes — protects your family from financial stress and difficult decisions. This guide shows you exactly how to do both.
Why You Should Write a Will
### What Happens If You Die Without a Will (Intestacy)
If you die without a valid will in England and Wales, the Rules of Intestacy determine who inherits your estate. The outcome may not be what you expect:
| Situation | Who Inherits |
|---|---|
| Married with children | Spouse gets first £322,000 + personal belongings + half of remainder. Children split the other half equally |
| Married without children | Spouse gets everything (but only if no other relatives) |
| Unmarried partner | Nothing — no matter how long you've lived together |
| No spouse and no children | Parents, then siblings, then more distant relatives |
| No surviving relatives | The Crown inherits everything (Bona Vacantia) |
### Key Facts About Intestacy
- Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit, regardless of how long they've lived together
- Stepchildren are not automatically included unless legally adopted
- The process is slower and more expensive than dealing with a valid will
- The court appoints administrators, which can cause family disputes
### Cost of Not Having a Will
How to Write a Will
### Option 1: Use a Solicitor (£150-£400)
A solicitor ensures your will is legally valid and covers all necessary aspects:
1. Make an appointment with a local solicitor specialising in wills and probate
2. Bring a list of your assets (property, savings, investments, pensions, life insurance)
3. Decide who your executors and beneficiaries will be
4. The solicitor drafts the will and you sign it in their presence
### Option 2: Use an Online Will Writing Service (£30-£90)
Online services like Farewill, Which? Wills, and Beyond are increasingly popular:
1. Answer questions about your estate and wishes online
2. The service generates a legally valid will
3. Print and sign it with witnesses
4. Some services (like Farewill) offer telephone support
### Option 3: DIY Will Kit (£10-£50)
Available from WHSmith, Ryman, or online:
1. Fill in the template form
2. Follow the signing and witnessing instructions carefully
3. Store the will somewhere safe
### Legal Requirements for a Valid Will
For a will to be legally valid in England and Wales:
- Must be in writing (handwritten, typed, or printed)
- Must be signed by you (the testator) in the presence of two witnesses
- Both witnesses must sign in your presence (and each other's)
- Witnesses and their spouses cannot benefit from the will
- Must be dated
Important: Your will is invalid if not properly witnessed. A DIY will that fails for technical reasons is worse than no will at all — it gives false confidence.
Including Funeral Wishes in Your Will
You can include instructions about your funeral in your will, but most legal experts recommend a separate letter of wishes instead:
### Why a Separate Letter Works Better
- Your will might not be read until weeks after the funeral
- A letter of wishes can be found and read immediately
- It can be updated easily without changing your will
- It can include more detail (specific songs, readings, people to contact)
### What to Include in Your Funeral Wishes Letter
1. Burial or cremation — and where you'd like ashes scattered or interred
2. Type of ceremony — religious, humanist, natural burial, direct cremation
3. Preferred funeral director — name a specific provider if you have one
4. Music and readings — specific songs, hymns, poems, or readings
5. Flowers or donations — preferred charity for donations in lieu of flowers
6. Who should be notified — names and contact details of people to inform
7. Budget — an indication of what you'd like to spend (or how to pay for it)
8. Clothing — what you'd like to be dressed in
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
A pre-paid funeral plan lets you pay for your funeral in advance at today's prices, protecting your family from future price increases.
### How Pre-Paid Plans Work
1. You choose a funeral director and service type
2. You pay a lump sum or monthly instalments
3. The plan provider guarantees the price at today's rates
4. When you die, the plan covers the agreed services
5. Your family has no funeral bill to pay
### Pre-Paid Plan Costs
| Plan Type | Typical Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation plan | £1,500 - £3,000 | Cremation, coffin, collection, paperwork |
| Standard attended plan | £3,000 - £5,000 | Full attended service, hearse, coffin |
| Premium attended plan | £5,000 - £8,000 | Additional cars, premium coffin, extras |
### Pre-Paid Plan Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Locks in today's prices (funeral costs rise 5-8% annually)
- Spares family from arranging and paying
- Can be paid in instalments (typically 12-60 months)
- Government-backed protection under FCA regulation since July 2022
Cons:
- Not all plans cover everything (check what's excluded)
- If you move area, the plan may not transfer
- Some plans restrict which funeral director you can use
- If the plan provider goes under, protection depends on the scheme
### FCA Regulation Since July 2022
Since 29 July 2022, all pre-paid funeral plans must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means:
- Plans are protected under Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
- Plan providers must follow strict rules about transparency
- You have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if things go wrong
Only buy from FCA-authorised providers. Check the FCA register before purchasing.
Life Insurance and Funeral Costs
### Over-50s Life Insurance
Over-50s plans are guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies that pay out a lump sum when you die, intended to cover funeral costs.
Typical costs: £10-£50 per month
Typical payout: £1,000-£10,000
Important considerations:
- Most policies require you to pay premiums for 2 years before full cover applies
- If you die within the first 1-2 years, only your premiums are returned (no payout)
- Payouts are fixed — they don't increase with inflation
- Premiums stop at age 90 in most policies
- If you stop paying, you lose the cover and get nothing back
### Alternative: Savings or a Funeral Plan
For most people, saving the same amount in a dedicated funeral savings account or buying a pre-paid funeral plan offers better value than an Over-50s plan, because:
- There's no qualifying period
- The money isn't lost if premiums stop
- Total contributions often equal or exceed the payout
The Cost of Not Planning Ahead
| Scenario | Financial Impact |
|---|---|
| No will | £2,000-£5,000 extra legal fees, 6-12 month delays |
| No funeral plan | Family pays market rate (£3,000-£5,000 on the day) |
| No funeral wishes | Family makes difficult decisions under pressure |
| No life insurance | Family must find funds at short notice |
Total potential extra cost: £5,000-£10,000+
Your Action Plan
### This Week
1. [ ] Write down your funeral wishes in a letter (start simple)
2. [ ] Tell a trusted family member where to find it
### This Month
3. [ ] Check if you have a valid will — and when it was last updated
4. [ ] Research pre-paid funeral plans (compare FCA-authorised providers)
5. [ ] Get a will written (solicitor or online service)
### This Year
6. [ ] Review your will and funeral plan annually
7. [ ] Update your funeral wishes if circumstances change
Start comparing funeral costs now. Use our free comparison tool to see real CMA-standardised prices from funeral directors in your area — and know exactly what to expect before making any plans.