How Do You Find a Lost Funeral Plan?

Losing a loved one is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and emotional experiences in life. During this time, the last thing you want to worry about is trying to locate a missing funeral plan. However, many families find themselves in this situation, and for several different reasons.

There are several ways to locate a missing plan. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to help you find a lost funeral plan, providing practical advice along the way.

Why You Might Need to Find a Funeral Plan

There are several reasons why you might need to locate a funeral plan:

The policyholder has passed away

If the person who arranged the funeral plan has passed away, it’s important to find out if they had made any arrangements ahead of time. Many people choose to take out a funeral plan to ease the burden on their family during a difficult time. Having a funeral plan ensures that certain costs are covered and can help the family avoid financial strain as well as the emotional toll of planning a funeral.

Unclear or forgotten details

Sometimes, family members may not be fully aware of whether a funeral plan was arranged, especially if the deceased did not share the details with others. It’s common for people to forget where they’ve placed important documents, or for them to keep such plans private. If your loved one was organised but never discussed the plan with you, the details may be hidden away in a drawer or tucked inside a file with their personal records.

Searching for peace of mind

For families and loved ones, knowing that a funeral plan is in place provides peace of mind. It ensures that arrangements can be made efficiently, without the added pressure of making financial decisions amid grief. Finding a funeral plan allows you to honour the wishes of your loved one and ensure that all the necessary steps are taken for a smooth and respectful process.

How Do You Find a Lost Funeral Plan?

There are several steps you can take to check if someone has a funeral plan:

1. Search for Documents and Records

The first step is to check any personal documents or records the deceased may have kept. Funeral plans often come with paperwork, including:

• Funeral plan certificates or receipts
• Letter or emails from the funeral provider confirming the plan
• Bank statements or insurance paperwork showing payments made to a funeral plan provider

If they used a solicitor, financial advisor or an executor managing their estate, these professionals may have copies of the funeral plan.

2. Contact the Funeral Provider

If you find any mention of a specific funeral provider, reach out to them directly as most funeral homes and plan providers maintain records of the plans they offer.

Funeral providers will likely ask for the following information:

• The name and date of birth of the deceased
• The policy number (if available)
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased (e.g. a death certificate)

Even if you don’t have all the details, funeral providers will often be able to assist with your search if you provide as much information as possible.

3. Ask Family and Friends

If you’re unable to locate any documents or contact providers directly, it’s a good idea to reach out to family and friends. They may have more information, remember details about the funeral plan that could help or might know where the plan is kept or have copies of the paperwork.

4. Search for Insurance or Financial Products

A funeral plan may have been bundled with life insurance or other financial products. If you find any life insurance policies or financial statements, it’s worth reviewing them to see if a funeral plan is mentioned. Insurance companies often work with funeral plan providers to offer prepaid plans, so these policies could offer valuable leads.

Banks often have records of financial transactions, including payments made to funeral plan providers. If your loved one had a prepaid funeral plan, they might have made one-off or regular payments directly from their bank account.

Contact the deceased person’s bank and request details of their account activity. You’ll likely need to provide:

• A copy of the death certificate
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased (if you are an executor or family member)

5. Explore Online Tools and Services

The National Association of Funeral Plan Providers (NAFPP) offers a free ‘Find My Plan’ service, which allows family members to trace any lost prepaid funeral plan. Simply fill out the online form with as much detail as possible and NAFPP will share your search request to its member providers who might hold the funeral plan.

If providers have matching records, they will contact you directly via email or letter. If no match is found, you won’t receive any response from NAFPP or the providers.

Should the original provider no longer be trading, NAFPP provides guidance on identifying the current operator of the plan.

Finding a lost funeral plan can seem like a challenging task. However, with the right approach and the steps outlined in this guide, you can navigate the process easily. Knowing that a funeral plan exists can bring peace of mind during an emotional and difficult period. By taking the time to follow these steps, you can ensure your loved ones’ wishes are honoured.

If you’re struggling to locate a lost funeral plan, get in touch with Golden Leaves today by calling 0800 85 44 48 or emailing info@goldenleaves.com to help you get started. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance or further guidance in locating a funeral plan for yourself or a loved one.