Planning your funeral, the Independent Way
At Ashley Edwards funeral directors we work closely with renowned independent plan provider Golden Charter, who work with independent, family run firms. We advocate their Independent Way plan, as we believe it give you the best the market has to offer in funeral planning.
With the independent way plan we will make sure that your loved ones will be spared much of the stress and uncertainty of organizing a funeral. You’ll have specified every detail in advance and taken care of all the costs that are within our control.
A guarantee that covers all our services
No matter how much our services may rise in cost in years to come, once your plan is fully in place, neither you nor your loved ones will be asked for a penny more for them. It’s a guarantee that gives you peace of mind. You can be assured that your family will be spared what could be a financial worry.
There are some costs that we are obliged to pay on your behalf. These third party costs include the charges of cemeteries or crematoria and the fees of clergy or officiants. The amount of this expenditure is not within our control and may require a further payment at the time of need.
A sound financial decision
When you take out an Independent Way plan, you have the reassurance that your money is protected. You select how you wish to pay for your plan and, your money is paid into the Golden Charter Trust.
Your money grows and, when the time comes, we receive the payment, including any growth, and use this money to provide the agreed services to your family. No matter how much costs have risen in the intervening period, your loved ones will not be asked for a penny more for the guaranteed services included within your plan.
The Golden Charter Trust
The Board of Trustees has appointed a wide panel of Fund Managers who invest the funds in a cautious and balanced manner. Barnett Waddingham of Glasgow, the consulting actuaries, appraise the fund performance regularly
Your wishes fulfilled by Ashley Edwards & Golden Charter a proven partnership
Most people don’t want to think about arranging their own funeral, which is only natural. But there is some quiet satisfaction to be gained from putting your affairs in order and reflecting on the most appropriate arrangements.
Many personal decisions have to be made. Your wishes are special – and you can be sure we will carry them out to the letter in association with Golden Charter, a British-owned and family run, local company.
Funeral directors’ services typically include:
• Professional charges. These represent a high proportion of a funeral director ‘s costs and include making all the arrangements for cremation or burial
• Conveyance of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral director’s premises, a chapel of rest or other suitable location
• Caring for the deceased and attending to the hygienic preparation necessary to allow viewing, if requested by family or friends
• Advice on the certification and registration of death and related documentation
• Provision of a hearse and other funeral vehicles
• Advice on bereavement counselling.
A balanced approach to third party costs
These expenses include the fees for the cemetery, crematorium and clergy or officiant, which will be costed at today’s prices in your plan.
Your payment is held with a view to maintaining a level of growth at least equivalent to the increases in inflation. However, if at the time of the funeral, the increase in the third party costs is greater than the growth.
Third party costs may include:
• Crematorium fee
• Clergy/officiant’s fee
• Purchase of grave
• Cemetery fee: the opening of an existing or new grave for burial or interment of cremated remains
• Hire of church or other venue
• Fees of organist
• Memorial, such as a headstone, entry in a book of remembrance, or the planting of a tree
• Catering, floral tributes and newspaper announcements.
Plan administration fee
It is necessary for a one-off plan administration fee to be applied to the cost of every plan. This fee covers all Golden Charter’s costs in setting up the plan, and the work involved in the preparation of the funeral arrangements.
Would you like to talk more about it?
We appreciate that the decision to buy a funeral plan is not something to be arrived at lightly. If you’d like to discuss it in more detail, we will gladly meet you at our premises or in the comfort of your home at any time you choose. Alternatively, you may prefer to talk about it over the phone. It doesn’t matter how often you call us, we’ll be delighted to help. Our sole aim is to help you arrive at a decision that will give you peace of mind.
Looking after you as a plan holder
Once you have arranged your plan, Golden Charter will send you a membership pack, which includes a summary of your plan and a personal membership card for you to keep safe.
We also hold full details of your funeral plan.
Choose how you would like to pay
Spread the cost or make a one-off payment. We offer a number of ways to pay for your funeral plan – simply choose the one that’s right for you.
Payment in full
You can make a one-off single payment for immediate cover.
You can pay by debit card, credit card or cheque. If paying by cheque, please remember to return it, made payable to ‘Golden Charter Trust’, with your application form.
12 monthly payments
If you would prefer to spread the cost, you can pay by 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit at no extra charge.
Just select this option and complete the Direct Debit Instruction on your application form. A small initial deposit is required. You will be fully covered once the plan is fully paid.
Low cost instalment option
If you would like lower monthly payments, we offer payment terms of between two and 30 years, making our plans even more affordable. Payable by Direct Debit, the monthly payment will depend on your choice of plan and the number of years over which you would like to pay. This option is available if you are aged 78 or under
at the time of application. You will be fully covered at the end of the payment term.