Co-op Funeralcare for children
For the last 30 years, Co-Op Funeralcare has assisted families who have lost a child under the age of 16 by not making any charge for its funeral director services. This has now been extended to 16 and 17 year olds, so covering all children. In addition, the Co-Op has iincreased the options available to families as part of its free child funerals service and committed to online transparency on its free child funerals policy, providing families who are concerned about cost, with peace of mind.
The free service includes the necessary provision of funeral colleagues, transportation and collection, a hearse and limousine as appropriate, optional embalming, a range of coffin choice, option to use a Co-op Funeralcare chapel for the service where available and no charge for weekend funerals.
The policy does not cover associated funeral costs set by third parties and local authorities, such as burial and cremation fees, clergy costs, and doctor certification fee (England and Wales).
Co-Op says that in addition to the charge for funeral director services, approximately a third of the average cost of a funeral is made up by third party charges, such as burial or cremation charges. These vary regionally but on average across the UK amount to £1,055.
In some locations such as the Wirral, Harrogate and Cheshire West and Chester, local authorities are also waiving burial and cremation fees up to the age of 18.
Comment: Co-Op estimates that over 5,000 families a year are impacted by the loss of a child. As well as having to deal with the emotional aspects, the financial costs can be significant too. Co-Op is therefore to be commended for having extended its practice of offering free funeral s for children so that all children are now covered. As the funeral director says, funeral directors’ costs make up only part of the total cost, but this is a significant help for the parents.
Of course, the Co-Op is doing this partly because it’s good business – but it also supports its business ethic and will be valued even by those it does not affect.
For insurance intermediaries, it is useful to know of such help when taking to any family about protection needs. But the move also highlights the fact that, whilst many critical illness policies include child cover, life insurance policies typically do not. We wonder whether insurers should look at offering free life cover on children’s lives as part of their parents’ policies too? The sum insured need not be large - £5,000 comes to mind as a possibility – but the positive PR should outweigh the cost and would help further engender trust in the industry.
Plus points: A positive gesture from the Co-Op that will encourage parents to look at a possible funeral plan for themselves too; Useful service for intermediaries to be aware of when having protection discussions with parents; Completely free and now covers all children.
Not so plus points: Highlights that life insurers don’t usually automatically help parents financially too; The funeral directors’ costs are only part of the total cost of a child funeral and not all local authorities provide financial help; The practice won’t cover any additional services the parents may want.
Website: www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk.
Rating (max 10): Innovation: 8. Overall: 9. Platinum
Tags: Other; Co-Operative