I know some independent funeral firms had bad press in recent years when their funeral plans went bust. The Cop-operative Funeral Service have 2 plans, both underwritten by a major bank. The first one is where you arrange the funeral, pay for it...and that's it. Even if you don't die for another 50 years there is still nothing more to pay. Their 2nd plan is where you pay a lump sum (as a one off or you can keep adding to it.) Say you paid �500 - they keep it towards the cost of a funeral but immediately give you half back in Co-op vouchers, to be spent in either a non food shop or at their travel agencies. With this one you can pay any amount (in multiples of �100) you like. If you're reasonably young & healthy then their 1st plan would be more suitable. If you're on deaths door, then their 2nd plan would suit you best.