Co-op Funeralcare said sales of online plans have increased by 60% in the last 12 months and people making their final wishes online are doing so earlier on.

The average age of putting plans in place online is now five years younger than those who make plans in one of their funeral homes, the Co-op said.

Pre-paid funeral plans help to put in place and pay for the essential elements of a funeral, including the costs of the cremation or burial, funeral director, doctor’s fees, minister’s fees, coffin, transportation and a range of other fees and charges. Costs vary from plan to plan.

David Collingwood, operations director for Co-op Funeralcare said: “Advances in technology coupled with life getting busier means that people can forget to make a funeral plan, potentially leaving loved ones with a legacy of financial worries. Whilst it’s common for people to feel uneasy thinking about their own mortality, taking the time to plan can help to safeguard loved ones financially, against the rising cost of funerals, as well as providing them with peace of mind.”

Are they worth it?

1) Shop around – plans vary considerably, and you don’t want to find that you aren’t covered for basic items.

2) Funeral costs have been increasing, so it can help protect you to some extent.

3) It allows individuals to cover the cost themselves, rather than leaving it to their loved ones.

4) It also allows individuals greater control over the type of burial they receive.

5) Remember, there are other options: you could just save up, you could be buried in your garden (subject to local authority permission), while costs may be covered by life insurance.