1. Introduction

Variety Funerals Limited is a company registered in England and Wales (company number 14615251). Our registered address is Plum Park Estate, Paulerspury, South Northamptonshire, NN12 6LQ. We operate throughout mainland England and Wales.

These Terms and Conditions govern how Variety Funerals Limited (“Variety”) provides funeral plans to you (the “Policyholder”). Please read these conditions carefully before purchasing a plan. Your purchase confirms your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

Variety Funerals Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with Firm Reference Number 1011776. You can view our registration details at: https://register.fca.org.uk/.

2. Definitions

  • Administration Charge: Applies if you choose to cancel your pre-paid funeral plan after the 30-day cooling-off period to cover administrative expenses.
  • Business Charge: A one-time fee, included in the funeral plan price and detailed on your funeral plan invoice, that covers the costs associated with establishing and managing your pre-paid funeral plan throughout its lifetime.
  • Policyholder: The person who pays for the funeral plan.
  • Beneficiary: The deceased individual covered by the funeral plan. (Often, the Policyholder and Beneficiary are the same person.)
  • Nominated Representative: The person chosen by the Policyholder (usually the next of kin of the Beneficiary).
  • You/Your: Refers to the Policyholder.
  • We/Us/Our/Variety: Refers to Variety Funerals Limited.
  • Variety Premium: This includes 24/7 collection of the deceased from anywhere in mainland England and Wales.

3. Qualifying Criteria

Both the Policyholder and the Beneficiary must be over 18 years old. The Beneficiary must reside in England or Wales and their cremation must take place there.

4. Repatriation

Variety Funeral plans do not cover repatriation costs. We recommend the Beneficiary has adequate travel insurance to cover these expenses. In the event of repatriation, Variety will collect the deceased from the port upon arrival in England or Wales.

5. Plan Options

  • Variety Solo: Unattended cremation at a crematorium chosen by Us.
  • Variety Plus: Attended cremation at a crematorium chosen by the Policyholder.

Details of what is included and excluded in each plan are provided in your Funeral Plan Summary document and are available before purchase. All cremations take place on weekdays; we work closely with crematoriums to find a suitable date that accommodates your family’s needs.

6. Payment and Pricing

Policyholders can pay for their plan in full using:

  • Visa debit card
  • Visa credit card
  • MasterCard debit card
  • MasterCard credit card
  • Bank transfer
  • One-off direct debit payment

The plan invoice details the total price paid, including any additional items chosen.

  • Variety Solo: The price includes cremation fees.
  • Variety Plus: Cremation fees are included based on the crematorium chosen at purchase. To account for potential future price increases in cremation costs, a charge of 10% is added to the published cremation fee, included in the funeral plan price. Any change in crematorium after purchase may incur additional charges.

The price of a Variety funeral plan includes a Business Charge to cover the costs associated with the setup and managing of the plan. Currently, funeral plans are exempt from VAT and other taxes. However, if future laws change and taxes are applied to funeral costs, any such tax would be payable when the plan is used (at the time of need).

All Variety funeral plans include Variety Premium at no additional cost.

7. Whole of Life Policy and Business Charge

All monies paid towards Variety Funerals funeral plans (excluding the Business Charge to cover the costs associated with the setup and managing of the plan) are invested in a regulated whole of life insurance policy in accordance with our statutory obligations. When you buy a plan from Variety Funerals, we buy a whole of life insurance policy with The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited (Royal London). Royal London is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

This policy pays out a lump sum upon the Beneficiary’s death to Variety Funerals Limited to cover the funeral arrangements specified in the plan.

8. Cooling-Off Period and Cancellations

Policyholders have a 30-day cooling-off period from the plan setup date. Cancellations during this period result in a full refund. Cancellations after the cooling-off period incur a £300 administration charge deducted from the refund amount. A cancelled plan cannot be used. Refunds are issued within 14 days of the cancellation request.

9. Documentation and Communication

Policyholders receive all plan documents by email on the setup day, followed by a physical copy posted within 3 business days. Your plan agreement includes:

  • These Terms and Conditions
  • Funeral Plan Summary Document
  • Invoice
  • Demands and Needs Statement

Variety communicates with Policyholders regarding plan details, updates, and changes via phone, email, and post. Duplicate copies of documents cost £25 (mailed) but are free via email.

With the Policyholder’s consent, a letter informing the Nominated Representative about the Beneficiary’s plan is sent within 3 business days of the setup date.

  • An annual plan statement summarising the plan coverage and relevant information is sent to the Policyholder on each anniversary of the plan setup date.

10. How to Use the Funeral Plan

  • The plan can be used once full payment is received by Variety.
  • Contact Variety immediately on 0800 774 7804 (24/7) to notify them of the Beneficiary’s death.
  • Variety requires a copy of the Beneficiary’s death certificate or equivalent document (electronic certified copy accepted) before the cremation can take place.

11. Additional Items and Non-Refundable Services

  • Policyholders can choose to add optional items to their plan, such as the removal of battery operated implants.
  • These additional items are included for peace of mind and are therefore non-refundable if not used.

12. Funeral Director

  • Variety will manage all funeral arrangements and act as both the Funeral Director and Funeral Plan Provider.

13. Changes to Your Funeral Plan

  • Contact Variety to make changes to your plan. Additional items may incur a fee payable at the time of change.
  • The Nominated Representative can be changed free of charge at any time and must always be different from the Beneficiary.
  • The plan Beneficiary cannot be changed.

14. Items Not Included in Your Funeral Plan

Please note that the following items and services are not included as standard in Variety Funerals’ pre-paid funeral plans:

  • Plus-size coffin (required for individuals exceeding 16 stone or 6 feet 1 inch)
  • Removal of battery-operated implants (e.g. pacemakers)
  • Return of cremated remains by private driver

Your funeral plan invoice will clearly state whether any of these items or services have been purchased as part of your plan. If you require any of these excluded items or services, and they have not been purchased, then they must be paid for separately before the cremation can proceed.

Viewing of the deceased: Variety Funerals’ plans do not include a viewing. If you wish to view the deceased, this must be arranged privately before Variety Funerals collects the deceased.

15. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

  • Policyholders have the right to raise complaints with Variety Funerals Limited. If unresolved internally, complaints can be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
  • Further information about our complaints procedure can be found here: https://varietyfunerals.com/variety-support/variety-feedback/

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

  • These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed following the laws of England and Wales.
  • English courts have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising under these Terms and Conditions.

17. Data Protection

  • Variety will process Policyholder data according to its Privacy Policy. Policyholders have the right to access and modify their personal data held by Variety.

18. Amendments

  • Variety reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Policyholders will be notified of any changes.

19. Force Majeure

  • Variety will not be liable for delays or failure to perform obligations due to uncontrollable circumstances like natural disasters, acts of God, or war.

20. Severability

  • If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.

21. Financial Services Compensation Scheme

  • As an FCA authorised and regulated firm, your plan is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
  • FCA rules allow transferring your plan to another provider if Variety goes out of business. If no other provider is found, the FSCS will intervene.
  • The FSCS protects policyholders of authorised funeral plan providers that fail. They offer options to replace your plan with similar terms or receive compensation. Policyholders are protected up to £85,000 per eligible person, per firm.

22. Contact Us

For any questions or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions or your funeral plan, please contact Variety Funerals Limited:

  • Phone: 0800 774 7804
  • Email: service@varietyfunerals.com
  • Post: Variety Funerals, Plum Park Estate, Paulerspury, South Northamptonshire, NN12 6LQ