Avalon Funeral Plans

[Alan16322]

How do Avalon funeral plans work and are they secure?

[buildersmate]

They work because you pay now for the funeral at today's prices, the money is invested and it grows, so when the relatives call upon the plan, it pays out at the time for the full cost of an equivalent funeral plan.
I know nothing about Avalon, but having recently used a similar plan for a relative who set up their plan 20 years ago, it worked fine.
I have to say that this is not an organisation recommended by Help the Aged (and I don't know why).
They are only as secure as the independence of the Trustees of the scheme and the ability of the investors to maintain adequate growth in funds to cover increases in funeral inflation costs.

[Garethmorris]

Don't trust this company - they are a R.I.P. off company. I'm still waiting for re-dress from them miss-selling to my mother - she died in Sept 2008. Do not go anywhere near them. I can really understand why Help the Aged don't recommend them!!

[Jsmith1]

My mother passed away last year, dec 2010. My mother lived in Spain and Avalon dealt with everything. I don´t know what I would have done without the plan.

[walkerfunerals]

As an independant funeral director we've worked with this company for sometime. They don't pay their bills... or at least make you wait beyond any reasonable period of time. We also worry about their agressive sales techniques which pray on vulnerable older folks who think the plans will pay everything. It doesn't. In reality Avalon will try to low ball the funeral director with payment reduction and encourage us to go to the family for the difference. It is not a pretty sight and we've stopped representing them.

[walkerfunerals]

OK folks we're funeral directors so here's our opinion. Ordinarily these things might work well, and indeed may have for many Avalon customers in the past. But, of late we're worried by recent development. Firstly they don't pay funeral directors on time. Second they impose new charges on client accounts after they have passed away and a new family member will be dealing with it for the first time. Third, they try to low ball funeral costs at one side of the transaction with a funeral provider... and then go back to the family for more money. Fourth, we fear miss selling to vulnerable seniors who think they are doing the best for everyone by subscribing to a fully paid up plan - ultimately nothing can be fully paid up forever. Think about it, prices rise! Finally, when you call to question them, them make up rules on the spot and promise to call back. They don't call back.
Like anything we believe more honesty would be the best policy and they risk giving everyone a bad name. Bottomline, READ THE SMALL PRINT and don't sign anything without thinking about it carefully.
Thanks for your time.