Avalon Funeral Plans Review September 2026
- 4 funeral plans to choose from
- Prices range from £1,675 to £4,495
- Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Instalments with full cover after 12 months*
Avalon Funeral Plans is now part of Golden Leaves Funeral Plans, creating one of the UK's largest independent funeral plan providers.
Existing Avalon customers continue to be supported, but new funeral plans are now provided through Golden Leaves rather than Avalon itself.
That means if you're researching Avalon today, you're really deciding whether the Golden Leaves group is the right provider for you.
Quick Summary of Avalon Funeral Plans
Feature | Avalon Funeral Plans |
Current status | Legacy brand (now part of Golden Leaves) |
FCA regulated | Yes (through Golden Leaves) |
Trustpilot rating | 4.9★ (4,400+ reviews)* |
Plan types | Existing Avalon plans; new plans now sold by Golden Leaves |
Payment options | Upfront and monthly options available |
Best for | Existing customers and those wanting to understand the transition to Golden Leaves |
*Rating correct at the time of writing. Most reviews relate to purchasing and customer service rather than the funeral itself.
What Happened to Avalon Funeral Plans?
Avalon built its reputation over more than two decades by offering flexible prepaid funeral plans, particularly for customers who divided their time between the UK and Europe.
In 2026, Avalon became part of Golden Leaves Funeral Plans.
The merger means:
Existing Avalon funeral plans remain valid.
Existing customers continue to receive support.
New customers now purchase funeral plans through Golden Leaves.
The combined business now serves more than 150,000 customers across the UK and Europe.
For most existing customers, the transition should make little practical difference, while benefiting from the financial strength and scale of the wider Golden Leaves group
What Funeral Plans Did Avalon Offer?
Before joining Golden Leaves, Avalon offered a choice of prepaid funeral plans with increasing levels of cover.
Plans typically included:
Direct cremation options
Traditional attended funerals
Different levels of service depending on budget
Single payment options
Interest-free short-term payment plans
Longer monthly instalment options
Customers could also personalise many aspects of their funeral arrangements.
Although these plans are no longer sold under the Avalon name, many of their features continue within the Golden Leaves range.
If you're considering purchasing a funeral plan today, it's worth reviewing the latest Golden Leaves plans rather than relying on historic Avalon information.
What Was Included?
Avalon's plans generally covered the core services required for arranging a funeral, including:
Professional funeral director services
Collection and care of the deceased
A coffin
Funeral arrangements
A hearse for attended funerals
A contribution towards cremation or burial costs
Support for the family throughout the process
These inclusions helped remove much of the organisation and cost from families during an already difficult time.
What Wasn't Included?
One of the biggest limitations of Avalon plans was that not all third-party funeral costs were fully guaranteed.
Typically excluded or only partially covered were:
Burial plots
Memorials and headstones
Flowers
Catering
Newspaper notices
Additional limousines
Ministers or celebrants
Optional upgrades requested by the family
Avalon's plans included a £1,000 contribution towards third-party costs, but if cremation fees or other disbursements exceeded this amount, families would need to find the funds to pay the difference.
The level of contribution is one of the most important factors to compare when choosing any prepaid funeral plan.
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How Much Did Avalon Funeral Plans Cost?
When Avalon sold funeral plans directly, customers could choose between:
Paying in full
Interest-free payments over six or twelve months
Longer monthly instalment plans spread over up to 15 years
As with all funeral plan providers, prices varied depending on the level of cover selected.
Because Avalon no longer sells new plans directly, prospective customers should check the latest pricing from Golden Leaves before making a decision.
Paying for a funeral in advance can help protect against future increases in the provider's own funeral costs, although it's always important to understand exactly which costs are guaranteed and which may still be payable later.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Established funeral plan brand | No longer sells new plans directly |
FCA regulated through Golden Leaves | Third-party costs not fully guaranteed |
Strong customer satisfaction | Families may still face additional costs |
Flexible payment options | Plan features have changed following integration |
European expertise | Worth comparing against other providers |
Customer Reviews & Satisfaction
Avalon has an excellent Trustpilot rating of 4.9★ from more than 4,400 reviews.
Customers frequently praise:
Helpful advisers
Friendly customer service
Straightforward explanations
A pressure-free sales process
N.B. Most reviews relate to buying the funeral plan rather than the experience of using it when a funeral takes place.
Avalon vs Other Funeral Plan Providers
Provider | Best For | Direct Cremation | Monthly Payments | FCA Regulated |
Golden Leaves | Former Avalon customers and traditional funerals | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ |
Co-op | Nationwide funeral homes | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ |
Pure Cremation | Direct cremation specialists | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ |
Aura | Family-led planning | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ | Yes. ✓ |
If you're choosing a funeral plan today, it's worth comparing providers based on:
Overall cost
What's guaranteed
Payment flexibility
Customer service
Funeral director network
Third-party cost cover
The cheapest plan isn't always the best value if high additional costs could still be payable later. Funerals are a deeply personal decision. It is worth taking some time to consider what type of funeral you would like before committing to a provider.
The right choice depends on your budget, the type of funeral you want, how much flexibility you need and, importantly, how comprehensively the plan covers third-party costs.
Comparing several providers before making a decision remains one of the best ways to find a funeral plan that meets your needs.
Final Verdict
Avalon Funeral Plans built a strong reputation over many years, particularly among customers looking for flexible prepaid funeral planning in the UK and Europe. Today, however, Avalon is best viewed as a legacy brand within the Golden Leaves group, rather than a standalone provider.
Existing customers can be reassured that their plans continue to be supported, while new customers should evaluate the current Golden Leaves offering alongside other FCA-regulated funeral plan providers.
Taking the time to compare what's included, how third-party costs are handled, and the level of customer support available can help ensure you choose the funeral plan that's right for you
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What should I do now?
My review of Avalon Funeral Plans is designed to help you compare plans and find the best option for you. I would always recommend that you review all of your options to ensure you’re getting the best deal that suits your budget and needs.
Now you have read the Avalon funeral plan review, you may want:
- Compare FCA regulated plans
- See how other companies compare with our funeral plan reviews
- Find out more about direct cremation by reading our guide and company reviews
Avalon continues to exist as part of the Golden Leaves group, but new funeral plans are now sold through Golden Leaves rather than under the Avalon brand.
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