Can you get a prepaid funeral plan if you're in your 50s, 60s or 70s?

Prepaid funeral plans are sometimes thought of as something to arrange later in life, but there’s no single “right age” to start planning. For some people, their 50s may be the right time to think ahead and spread the cost. Others may prefer to make arrangements in their 60s or 70s, when their priorities and circumstances have changed.

With a prepaid funeral plan from Celebration of Life, you can arrange your plan from the age of 18, so there’s no need to wait until a particular stage of life. The payment options available can vary depending on your age and the length of time you want to take to pay, giving you different ways to plan ahead.

In this guide, we’ll look at what arranging a prepaid funeral plan could mean in your 50s, 60s or 70s, including how you might choose to pay and what to consider when making your arrangements.

Can you get a prepaid funeral plan at any age?

If you’re wondering whether there’s a maximum age for taking out a prepaid funeral plan, the good news is that there isn’t an upper age limit if you pay in full or choose to spread the cost over up to two years.

Celebration of Life prepaid funeral plans are available to anyone aged 18 or over. So, whether you’re in your 50s and starting to think about planning ahead, in your 60s and considering your options, or in your 70s and ready to put your arrangements in place, you can take out a plan.

How does your age affect the payment options?

While there is no upper age limit when paying in full or by monthly instalments over a period of up to two years, the rules are slightly different if you want to spread the cost over longer.

Celebration of Life offers monthly instalment plans of up to five years. If you choose a 3-, 4- or 5-year payment term, the person the plan is for must be 80 or younger when the instalment plan finishes.

There is no single “right” age to arrange a prepaid funeral plan. The important thing is to consider what you want for funeral arrangements to be, and which payment option works best for you.

Getting a prepaid funeral plan in your 50s

Your 50s can be a good time to start thinking about future plans, including what you would like to happen when you die. For some people, arranging a funeral plan at this stage can be part of getting their affairs in order and taking some practical decisions off their family’s shoulders.

There are also a number of reasons why someone in their 50s might choose to arrange a plan:

• More flexibility when paying: You may have more options when it comes to choosing how you pay for your funeral plan, depending on your circumstances and the payment term you choose.
• Spread the cost over several years: If you don’t want to pay for your plan upfront, you may be able to spread the cost through monthly instalments over a longer period.
• Plan ahead: Arranging your funeral in advance means you can make decisions about your wishes now, rather than leaving your family to make them later.
• Choose what suits you: Being in your 50s doesn’t mean you need to take out a funeral plan. There’s no single “right” age to arrange one. It’s about deciding when it feels right for you and your circumstances.

For someone in their 50s, having more time to plan can also mean having greater flexibility over how the cost is managed. The important thing is to consider your circumstances and choose a payment option that works for you.

Getting a prepaid funeral plan in your 60s

For many people, their 60s can be a time when thinking about future plans becomes more important. You may be getting your finances in order, considering retirement or simply wanting to make sure your family knows your wishes. A prepaid funeral plan can be one way of making those arrangements in advance.

There are several things to consider when arranging a funeral plan in your 60s:

• Pay upfront or spread the cost: Depending on your circumstances, you can choose to pay your plan in full or spread the cost through monthly instalments. The payment term you can choose will depend on your age and when the instalments are due to finish.
• Make your own decisions: Arranging a funeral in advance means you can decide what you want, rather than leaving your family to make those decisions at an already difficult time.
• Plan ahead financially: Celebration of Life’s prepaid funeral plans fix the cost of the funeral at today’s price. This can give you reassurance that the cost covered by your plan won’t be affected by future increases in funeral prices.
• Choose a time that suits you: Being in your 60s doesn’t mean you have to arrange a funeral plan. It is about deciding when you feel ready and choosing an option that suits your circumstances.

Taking the time to make your arrangements now can give you greater control over your wishes and provide reassurance that your plans are already in place.

Getting a prepaid funeral plan in your 70s

If you’re in your 70s and have started thinking about arranging your funeral, it’s certainly not too late to put a plan in place. There’s no upper age limit if you choose to pay for your prepaid funeral plan in full or spread the cost over up to two years.

There are a few things to consider when choosing how to pay:

• Pay in full: You can pay for your plan upfront, with no upper age limit.
• Spread the cost over up to two years: There’s also no upper age limit when choosing an instalment period of up to two years.
• Choose a longer payment term: If you want to spread payments over 3,4 or 5 years, the person the plan is for must be 80 or younger when the instalment plan finishes.

Arranging a funeral plan in your 70s can also mean making your wishes known while you’re able to make those decisions yourself. Rather than leaving your family to decide what you would have wanted, you can put your arrangements in place in advance.

Ultimately, there is no age at which it is “too late” to start planning. The important thing is to understand the payment options available to you and choose the one that best fits your circumstances.

What should you consider when choosing a prepaid funeral plan?

Choosing a prepaid funeral plan is about finding an option that suits your wishes and circumstances. Start by thinking about the type of funeral you want and checking exactly what the plan includes and what isn’t covered.

It’s also important to consider how you want to pay. You may prefer to pay upfront or spread the cost through instalments, depending on what works for you. If you choose a longer payment term, age restrictions may apply.

Finally, check what happens if your circumstances change or if you die before completing your instalment payments. Understanding these details before taking out a plan can give you and your family greater peace of mind.

Is there a “right” age to take a prepaid funeral plan?

There is no single “right” age to take out a prepaid funeral plan. The best time depends on your circumstances, your wishes and how you would prefer to pay.

For someone in their 50s, having more time to plan may mean greater flexibility when it comes to spreading the cost. In your 60s, you may be more focused on getting your affairs in order and making your own funeral arrangements in advance. If you are in your 70s, it’s certainly not too late. You can still arrange a plan and choose from the payment options available to you.

Whatever your age, taking the time to plan ahead can give you greater control over your funeral arrangements and reassurance that your wishes are known.

If you’re considering a prepaid funeral plan, explore Celebration of Life’s plan to see how it works and whether it is right for you.