74 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2022 As a national provider of pre-paid funeral plans, Ecclesiastical Planning Services enables customers to prearrange and make financial provision for funeral costs, reducing the worry for those they leave behind. Its plans provide exceptional financial security. Every penny of the pre-payment is held securely in a whole of life insurance policy and ring-fenced for the funeral when the time comes. It cannot be used for anything else, for the customer’s peace of mind. Customers tend to be adults aged 50+, and it is also common for children, grandchildren and carers to purchase plans on their behalf. Some customers are at greater risk of being vulnerable, and Ecclesiastical Planning Services recognises its responsibility to protect such clients from harm and exploitation. In addition, Ecclesiastical Planning Services is passionate about treating customers fairly, and strives to be the most ethical and trusted pre-payment provider in the UK. It fully supports the Financial Conduct Authority’s regulation of the funeral plan market, which came into effect in July 2022, and the protection this gives both funeral directors and customers. Ecclesiastical Planning Services is part of the Benefact Group, which is the fourth-largest corporate donor in the 2021-22 UK Directory of Social Change Guide to Company Giving. Its charitable giving means it is driven by something far greater than the need to satisfy shareholders; instead, a motivation to make a real difference to the lives of real people. With an outstanding reputation for first class customer service and a transparent and secure financial model, Ecclesiastical Planning Services proudly believes that it is industry leading. Being voted ‘most trusted funeral plan provider’ by 100% of the funeral directors it works with1, certainly supports this belief. And with the Benefact Group‘s ambitious plans to give £250 million to even more good causes in the coming years2, it is certainly a company to take notice of. Sources *Correct as of August 2022. 1. 2021 funeral director opinion survey, based on Aug22099 Funeral Plan Experts of the Year 2022 - Southwest With its Head Office based in Gloucester, Ecclesiastical Planning Services is proudly part of the Benefact Group, a specialist financial services group, part of which has been protecting people, property and funds since 1887. Since 2006, Ecclesiastical Planning Services has provided a safe and secure home for pre-paid funeral plans. Initially via a relationship with the National Association of Funeral Directors, Ecclesiastical Planning Services now works with over 800 funeral directing outlets* in the South-West and across the UK. Its model is based on honesty, transparency and “doing the right thing” for funeral directors and the families they serve, upheld by its team of 52 staff*. 52 responses from funeral directors Ecclesiastical Planning Services works with. 2. 2021 Group Report & Accounts. Company: Ecclesiastical Planning Services Contact: info@epsfunerals.com Website: funeralplans.co.uk Chris Clark, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Planning Services
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