Many people see and know the importance of Wills.

However what most people fail to consider is that it is immediately after passing away that most people have a gap in their forward planning.

Issue 1 - Money -The Problems:

1. Funeral directors these days insist that expenses are paid up front. This can equate to £700-£800. In most cases the immediate family have to find this at short notice. If you have a life policy in place to cover funeral expenses this will take time to get paid out.
   
2. For the last 15-20 years funerals have increased by on average 10%. The average cost of a funeral today is £2700. So in just 14 years from now funerals will cost in excess of £10,000
   
3. Money in a bank/building society only grows on average at 5% so if you keep money aside for funeral costs you will have to keep topping it up.
   
4. Cremation/Burial costs increase every year
   
5. If you paid the money in advance to a Funeral Director they could go out of business or do a runner and your money would be lost.

The Solution:

1. With a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan in place you have paid for the funeral in advance so your family do not need to worry about the money
   
2. It does not matter the cost of your funeral at the time of death as the Plan guarantees to cover the cost of the services puchased in the plan regardless of the cost at the time of death.
   
3. With a plan in place you can spend the money you would need to use to keep topping up your account safe in the knowledge all your funeral costs for the services purchased through the plan are covered.
   
4. The plans we offer include £700-£750 of disbursements towards paying for crematorium burial fees. The plan increases the amount of the disbursement each year by an amount equivalent to he retail price index at no further cost to you
   
5. All monies for our plans are held and ring fenced in a Trust account within the HSBC ensuring the money is safe and secure

Issue 2 - Your Family  - The Problems:

1. Most people have not discussed or told their immediate family their funeral requests
   
2. Any requests in a Will are NOT legally binding - your executors can do as they please
   
3. This is a very emotional time and the thought of having to arrange the funeral is very daunting

The Solution:

1. You can have your requests noted down on your plan so the family do not have to second guess what they are
   
2. Any requests in a plan must be carried out by the funeral director as it is a contractual obligation
   
3. Family really appreciate having this all taken care of in advance and it makes what is a very difficult time much easier to handle. Family & friends will really appreciate your forward planning as it shows that you have carefully considered their feelings at a very emotional time.

To speak to a consultant or for more information call our Lo-Call number 0845 450 6067 or visit our website at http://www.will-scotland.co.uk