This article first appeared on Mortgage Introducer on 07 February 2017
Independent funeral provider Golden Charter has collaborated with Julian Harris to become an approved provider to its network of mortgage and protection brokers.
The funeral plans, which are now available to the network’s 125 firms, allow plan holders to pay with the guarantee that once fully paid, there is nothing further to pay for a funeral director’s services included in the plan.
Mark Moran, director of intermediary sales at Golden Charter, said: “This collaboration is a real example of how important funeral plans are becoming in the financial advice process.
“We are delighted that Julian Harris recognises the benefit the products will bring to their advisers and their clients.
“Financial planning shouldn’t just end at death and with the average cost of a funeral continuing to rise it is important that advisers consider all options available for their clients.
“A pre-paid funeral plan, which freezes the cost of the funeral director’s services included in the plan at today’s prices, will help advisers with later life planning and may be exactly what their clients need.”
Golden Charter has access to over 3,000 independent funeral directors across the UK, allowing financial advisers and their clients to plan ahead with confidence.
Funeral costs have risen sharply in the past decade, with the average funeral costing £4,078, up 70% in a decade.
As part of the relationship, it will offer Julian Harris advisers full product and sales training, along with marketing materials and ongoing regional support.
Julian Harris, managing director at Julian Harris, added: “We pride ourselves on the strong relationships we have secured with the top providers in the market, and this relationship with Golden Charter is no different.
“Funeral plans offer our advisers an opportunity to open up a new revenue stream and help their clients plan for any costs that may be incurred after death.
“Funeral costs are continually rising, and they show no sign of abating. Comprehensive and trustworthy solutions are needed more than ever, so we think it makes perfect sense to offer funeral plans through Golden Charter to provide our network with a holistic proposition.”
