Our commitment has always been to support families with compassion, dignity, and clarity. While much of our work involves helping people in the immediate aftermath of a loss, we are increasingly asked about planning ahead. More families are seeing the benefits of making arrangements in advance, not only to give themselves peace of mind but also to spare their loved ones unnecessary worry in the future.
That’s why we are proud to work in partnership with Golden Charter to offer pre-paid funeral plans. As one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers, Golden Charter has helped over 1 million people to plan ahead. Their experience and strong reputation give us complete confidence in offering their plans to you. Rest assured a plan from Golden Charter is available to all UK residents regardless of age or state of health.
Why More People Are Planning Ahead
It may feel unusual to think about your own funeral in advance, but there are good reasons why so many people are now choosing to do just that. For many, the decision is about peace of mind. A pre-paid funeral plan allows you to decide what you want in advance, whether that’s a traditional service, a quiet and simple cremation, or a farewell with personal touches such as music, readings, or flowers. By making those choices yourself, you remove any uncertainty for your family.
Planning ahead also lifts a heavy weight from your loved ones. At a time when emotions run high, having everything already arranged is a comfort. Instead of facing a series of quick decisions and unexpected costs, your family can simply follow the plan you’ve put in place.
There’s also the financial reassurance. Funeral costs, like many other expenses, tend to rise over time. A pre-paid plan fixes the cost of our funeral director services at today’s prices. That means that once your plan is fully paid, there will be nothing more to pay for those services — guaranteed — no matter how much time passes before it is needed.
What’s Included in a Pre Paid Funeral Plan
When you choose a Golden Charter plan with Hadaway & Denton, our funeral director’s services are fully covered. These services typically include all the essentials you would expect: arranging the funeral, transportation of the deceased to our premises, professional care and preparation, and guidance on the necessary documents and registration. We also provide funeral vehicles, a coffin or casket of your choice, and advice on bereavement support if needed.
Because these are our services as funeral directors, they are guaranteed within your plan. Once the plan is fully paid, there will be nothing more to pay for these parts, no matter how many years pass. That guarantee can give great comfort to both you and your family.
Understanding Third-Party Costs
It is worth knowing that there are some costs we, as funeral directors, cannot control. These are known as third-party costs and include things such as crematorium or cemetery fees, the fee for a minister or celebrant, or costs associated with interring ashes.
A Golden Charter plan can include an allowance towards these third-party costs, depending on the type of plan you choose. In some cases, the allowance may cover them in full. In others, if costs rise faster than expected, there may be a small balance to pay at the time of the funeral.
Other optional costs, such as purchasing a new grave, hiring a venue, arranging music, floral tributes, memorials, or newspaper announcements, are also considered third-party expenses. Whether you wish to include some of these elements in your plan is entirely up to you. What matters most is that you and your family are fully informed, so there are no surprises later.
The important point is that our funeral director services remain guaranteed. Even if third-party costs increase, you can be assured that once your plan is fully paid, there will be nothing further to pay for the services we provide.
How Your Payments Are Protected
We understand that choosing a funeral plan involves trust, and it’s natural to want reassurance about how your money will be kept safe. With Golden Charter, that reassurance is built in.
The retail price of your funeral plan is representative of the equivalent cost of a funeral today plus an arrangement fee of £350 which is retained by Golden Charter to help cover the costs of setting up your plan. All other payments are held within the Golden Charter Trust, which has almost £1.21 billion under management.
The Trust is overseen by an independent Board of Trustees whose sole responsibility is to safeguard your money. Their role is to make sure that whenever your plan is needed, the funeral director services included can be paid for in full, no matter how many years have passed. For added transparency, Golden Charter provides regular updates, and you can read more about how your payments are protected at goldencharter.co.uk/faqs.
Looking After You as a Customer
Once you’ve chosen a plan, you’ll receive personalised documents summarising all the details, including your plan holder certificate and a membership card to keep in your wallet or purse. If you wish, you can nominate a representative to be informed of your plan. They will receive confirmation of the details, giving them reassurance, but they will not have the authority to make changes without your consent.
Every three years, Golden Charter will also send you a statement by post, helping you keep track of your plan. Meanwhile, we will hold full details here at Hadaway & Denton. When the time comes, all it takes is one phone call to put everything into motion.
A Simple Process, Tailored to You
Arranging a pre-paid funeral plan with us is a straightforward process, designed to be reassuring rather than overwhelming.The first step is simply to have a conversation. This can take place at our office, in your own home, or even over the phone or by email if you prefer. We’ll take time to listen to your wishes, explain your options, and answer any questions you may have.
From there, we’ll put together a plan that reflects what’s important to you. You might want to specify every detail, from music and readings to transport and flowers, or you might prefer to keep it simple. Either way, the choice is entirely yours.
When it comes to payment, you can choose to pay in one single amount or spread the cost over manageable instalments. Once everything is arranged, you’ll receive documentation setting out the details of your plan and a membership certificate to keep safe. You can even nominate a representative to be informed about your plan, so they know exactly what to do when the time comes.
And if your circumstances or wishes change, don’t worry — your plan can be reviewed and updated, ensuring it always reflects what you want.
Why Choose Hadaway & Denton
As a family-run, independent business, we pride ourselves on our personal approach. We are here to listen, guide, and support — not to push or pressure. When you sit down with us to discuss a funeral plan, we’ll talk you through every detail carefully, making sure you feel comfortable and informed.
Our long-standing relationship with the community in Ashford means that we understand local needs and expectations, and our partnership with Golden Charter ensures that your money is protected and your plan is secure. Most importantly, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing that when the time comes, your funeral will be in the hands of people who genuinely care.
The Next Step
If you’re considering a pre-paid funeral plan, we invite you to get in touch with us for a friendly, no-obligation chat. We can answer your questions, talk through your options, and help you decide whether a Golden Charter plan is right for you.
You can reach us on 01233 421852, or visit us in person if you’d prefer to sit down face-to-face. We’re always here to listen, and to help you plan with confidence.
At Hadaway & Denton, your trusted funeral directors in Ashford, we believe that pre-planning a funeral is not just about financial security — it’s about giving yourself and your family the gift of peace of mind. For full details about our Pre Paid Funerals with Golden Charter, please
click here.
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