Record your funeral wishes clearly without paying upfront. Keep full control of your money while planning ahead with calm, local guidance from Tony Clarke Funeral Directors.
Record your funeral wishes clearly without paying upfront. Keep full control of your money while planning ahead with calm, local guidance from Tony Clarke Funeral Directors.
Plan Your Funeral Wishes in Sunderland – Without Locking Money Away
To discuss recording your funeral wishes without paying upfront, call Tony Clarke Funeral Directors on 0191 565 6055.
With The Funeral Planning Promise®, you can record your wishes in writing without paying money upfront. You keep your money in your own account and remain free to change your mind at any time.
A regulated prepaid funeral plan is different because money is paid into a plan with an authorised provider. If you would like to discuss that option, we can arrange for you to speak with an authorised IFPS adviser.
This page is reviewed and maintained by Marek Clarke, Company Director at Tony Clarke Funeral Directors.
Last updated: 2 August 2026
This page explains The Funeral Planning Promise®, a non-financial funeral planning arrangement offered by Tony Clarke Funeral Directors in Sunderland.
The Funeral Planning Promise® is not a prepaid funeral plan, insurance policy, savings product or investment. No money is paid to us, held by us or invested by us under this arrangement.
Families who want a regulated prepaid funeral plan can ask us about speaking with an authorised IFPS adviser.
But not everyone feels comfortable paying for a funeral years in advance.
If you are looking for a way to plan your funeral in Sunderland without paying upfront, The Funeral Planning Promise® offers a simple and flexible alternative to a prepaid funeral plan.
At Tony Clarke Funeral Directors, we understand that some people want clarity about their wishes — but prefer to keep full control of their own money.
The Funeral Planning Promise® allows you to record your funeral wishes in writing, without making any payment today.
There is:
No money taken
No funds held
No financial contract
No pressure
Just clarity, reassurance, and a goodwill discount if you choose us in the future.
The Funeral Planning Promise® may be completed by the individual themselves, or where appropriate, by an Attorney or close family member acting in their best interests.
We meet with you and write down your funeral wishes clearly.
No money is paid to us or locked away.
If we carry out the funeral in the future, your agreed goodwill discount applies.
The Funeral Planning Promise® is a voluntary, non-financial planning agreement.
It allows you to:
Record your funeral wishes clearly in writing
Keep full control of your own finances
Change your wishes at any time
Receive a goodwill discount on our professional fees if your funeral is carried out by us
It is designed for people who want to plan ahead — but do not wish to purchase a regulated prepaid funeral plan.
You remain completely in control at all times.
It is important to explain clearly what this arrangement is not.
The Funeral Planning Promise®:
Is not a prepaid funeral plan
Is not insurance
Is not a savings or investment product
Is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Does not involve any money being paid, held, or invested
You do not transfer funds to us.
You do not lock money away.
You do not enter into a financial agreement.
The Promise is simply a written record of your wishes, combined with a goodwill discount applied in the future if we carry out the funeral.
When planning ahead, there are generally three options available:
This involves paying in advance through an FCA-regulated provider.
Funds are held and managed under financial regulations.
Tony Clarke Funeral Directors act as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Independent Funeral Planning Services Limited (IFPS), authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to regulated funeral plan activity.
No payment is made in advance.
Your wishes are recorded in writing.
If your funeral is carried out by us in the future, a goodwill discount is applied to our professional fees.
Some people simply tell family their wishes informally, without anything written down.
The Promise provides more clarity than informal planning — without requiring upfront payment.
We meet with you at our Sunderland funeral home.
We discuss and record your funeral wishes.
You receive a signed copy of your The Funeral Planning Promise® document.
You keep your money in your own bank account.
If your funeral is carried out by Tony Clarke Funeral Directors in the future, a goodwill discount is applied to our professional fees under the current schedule at the time of signing.
Current Goodwill Discount Schedule:
Traditional funeral – £250 discount on professional fees
Direct cremation – £75 discount
Bronze funeral package – £100 discount
The discount applies only to our professional fees and has no cash value.
Third-party costs (such as cremation, burial, cemetery, minister or celebrant fees) are charged at the rates in force at the time the funeral takes place.
The Funeral Planning Promise® may suit you if you:
Want to plan ahead but avoid paying upfront
Prefer to keep savings accessible
Want flexibility to change your wishes
Would like a written record for your family
Do not want to lock money into a financial product
It may not be suitable for those who specifically want to fix third-party costs in advance through a regulated prepaid plan.
We are happy to explain both options so you can make an informed decision.
The Promise is a goodwill agreement.
It does not create a financial obligation.
It does not require you to use Tony Clarke Funeral Directors.
You remain free to choose any funeral provider at the time of need.
If the Promise is not used, it simply expires.
Many families tell us they want peace of mind — but also flexibility.
A simple way to think about it:
Prepaid funeral plans lock money away.
The Funeral Planning Promise® keeps money with the family.
For some people, that flexibility matters.
Who Can Complete The Funeral Planning Promise®?
The document may be signed by:
The individual themselves, if they have capacity.
An Attorney under a valid Lasting Power of Attorney.
A Court-appointed Deputy.
A close family member acting in the individual’s best interests under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
We will explain this carefully before anything is completed.
Prepaid Funeral Plans in Sunderland
For families who want to understand regulated prepaid funeral plan options through IFPS.
Funeral Packages and Prices in Sunderland
Clear information about funeral packages, direct cremation and third-party fees.
Support After a Death in Sunderland
Practical guidance on what to do first when someone has died.
Personalised Funeral Options in Sunderland
Ideas for music, flowers, service sheets, memory tables and personal touches.
Legal Support After a Death in Sunderland
Guidance on probate, wills, estate paperwork and practical legal matters.
No. The Funeral Planning Promise® is not a prepaid funeral plan. It is a written record of your funeral wishes, with no money paid upfront and no money held by Tony Clarke Funeral Directors.
No. No payment is taken when completing The Funeral Planning Promise®.
Yes. You can change your wishes at any time.
No. We do not hold, invest or manage any money under The Funeral Planning Promise®.
No. It is a goodwill planning agreement and a written record of your wishes. It does not create a financial obligation.
Your family remains free to choose any funeral director at the time of need.
In some cases, a registered Attorney, Court-appointed Deputy or close family member acting in the person’s best interests may help record wishes. We will explain this carefully at the time.
A prepaid funeral plan involves paying money into a regulated plan with an authorised provider. The Funeral Planning Promise® does not involve paying money upfront. It records your wishes while keeping your money under your control.
Yes. If you want to discuss a regulated prepaid funeral plan, we can arrange for you to speak with an authorised IFPS adviser.
Planning Ahead Without Paying Upfront
The Funeral Planning Promise® can help you record your funeral wishes clearly while keeping full control of your money.
We can explain how it works, what it is, what it is not, and whether it may be suitable for your situation.
Call Tony Clarke Funeral Directors on 0191 565 6055 to arrange a quiet funeral planning conversation in Sunderland.