Funeral planning in the UK...what next?

Transcription

1 Funeral planning in the UK...what next?

2 Funerals don t have to be sombre affairs At the request of his family, the late Willie M. (Wimp) Stokes Jr. goes in style Miriam "Mae-Mae" Burbank, who died of cancer in early June 2014, is pictured seated at a table at the Charbonnet Funeral Home in New Orleans, Louisiana Motorbike-loving David Morales was embalmed sitting on his beloved Honda

3 Unusual funeral traditions Hanging of Coffins - China Mass scavenging Pacific Northwest Coast of North America Exposing Dead to Vultures Strangulation

4 Agenda What is a funeral plan? Current market and distribution Funeral costs and trends What does the future hold? The funeral funding gap What next?

5 What is a funeral plan?

6 What is a funeral plan In essence, a funeral plan is a contract under which one party to the contract (the plan provider) agrees to provide a funeral, as specified in the contract, for the other party to the contract (the customer) on the death of the customer. The legislation defining a funeral plan is contained in Articles 59 & 60 of The Financial Services & Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 this is referred to as the Regulated Activities Order or the RAO. In Article 59 of the RAO, a provider contracts with the customer (or planholder) to ensure that another person (referred to as a designated funeral director ) agrees to perform the funeral of the planholder (or another specified person). The planholder pays for this by making one payment, or a series of instalments. In short, offers opportunity to cover elements of funeral cost at today s prices

7 Emotional benefits Consideration for family and friends Peace of mind that affairs are in order Specific wishes carried out Loved ones spared much of the burden of bereavement. *Source: The Sun Life Cost of Dying Survey

8 Financial benefits Purchase at today s prices The cost of at-need funerals continues to rise with the average cost rising by 88% since 2004 (source Mintel 2014) The average cost for a funeral now stands at 3,590* A Funeral Plan guarantees that funeral director services included in the plan will be met and in some cases guarantees cremation, doctor s and clergy fees An alternative use of savings in low interest rate environment *Source Sunlife Cost of Dying 2014

9 Current Market & Distribution

10 Funeral Planning Companies Three main providers:

11 Funeral Planning Market Key Statistics 160, , , ,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20, * Annual Plan Sales 1,200,000 1,000, , , , , Live Plans Source: Funeral Planning Authority FPA statistics include plan sales from FPA regulated providers only

12 Funeral Planning Market Key Statistics 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10, Annual Plan Maturities* * Percentage of funerals in UK funded by funeral plan** Source: *Funeral Planning Authority FPA statistics include plan sales from FPA regulated providers only Source: **Funeral Planning Authority & Office for National Statistics, National Records of Scotland & Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency

13 The Funeral Market view from Mintel August 2014 Market Size and Performance The funeral market has been particularly resilient throughout the recession and beyond and Mintel predict continuing buoyancy The greying population is the main catalyst of growth for funerals with the numbers of over-50 s in excess of 22m in 2012 and predicted to rise to 28m by 2030 Increased target market for guaranteed acceptance plans and prepaid funeral plans as funeral costs continue to rise Annualised deaths c. 560,000 per annum over last 3-4 years but predicted to rise

14 The Funeral Market view from Mintel August 2014 Change The market remains rooted in strict adherence to tradition but for customers personalisation has become a right, not a privilege. People more willing to depart from tradition and commemorate their loved ones with mementos 19% of ABs are interested in personalising aspects of their funeral, however pre-planning still largely CD s People apply their ideals about sustainable living to their funeral wishes with biodegradable options widely available Discretionary spend reducing (flowers, death notices, catering etc)

15 Distribution Traditionally plans are sold through funeral directors, recent bereavement being key reason for purchase Additional channels include: Direct Mail Field Sales Intermediaries IFA s Will Writers Insurance Brokerages Charities Age UK Insurance Companies Friendly Societies Post Office Online/ Affiliate Marketing

16 Distribution Future distribution opportunities Banks Retailers they sell guaranteed over 50 s so why not? Asda Sainsburys Life insurers manufacturing capability exists already Aggregators 88% of year olds use the internet, 71% of and 37% of 75+ Others?

17 Funeral Costs and Trends

18 Cost of Dying *Source: The Sun Life Cost of Dying Survey

19 Cost of Dying in 2014 *Source: The Sun Life Cost of Dying Survey

20 Funeral Costs on the rise *Source: The Sun Life Cost of Dying Survey

21 Why are funeral costs rising? Funeral Director s Fees Increasing competition Bad debt Increased overheads Cremation and Burial Fees In 2014, average burial fee was 1,746 Average cremation fee 662 Installation of filtration equipment, 45 increase in cremation costs (7-10% increase) Doctor s Fees 1.9% increase Minister s Fees Average fee for religious or secular service rose from 133 in 2013 to 141 in 2014 *Source: The Sun Life Cost of Dying Survey

22 Funeral Funding Gap

23 The Funeral Market - View from Mintel Aug 2014 Financial Hardship 1 in 7 people reported that paying for funeral caused notable financial concerns, average shortfall of 2,371 4,100 were cremated anonymously or buried with no headstone in 2013, up 37% from 3,000 in 2009 Government received 66,000 applications for support in 2012/13. Only 35,000 (53%) were successful illustrating a continuing need to raise awareness of pre-paid funeral plans to those on modest incomes Average Social Fund payment in 2013 was 1,225 Growing ageing population will increase pressure on Social Fund Source: Mintel 2014

24 What next?

25 Opportunities and Challenges Opportunities Large, untapped market for funeral products and services Only 5% of Over 55 s have a funeral plan Funeral plans open door to additional Later Life services Pension Freedoms product innovation opportunity Making planning towards funeral expenses as affordable as possible How we do address funding gap?

26 Opportunities and Challenges Challenges FCA regulation Welcome or a threat? Distribution New entrants/ increased competition

27 And finally. The Top Ten at the Crem! 10. Test Match TV theme 5. My Way 9. You ll Never Walk Alone 4. Match of the Day Theme 8. Enigma Variations 3. Abide With Me 7. Angels 2. The Lord is my Shepherd 6. All Things Bright and Beautiful 1. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life