65% of adults don’t have a funeral plan, L&G finds
The research also revealed that over a third of Brits avoid discussing end of life preparations altogether
Some 65% of UK adults do not have a funeral plan in place, suggesting greater measures need to be taken to protect their loved ones, new research by L&G has revealed. Among those who have taken measures, 34% were male and 27% were female.
The research, which surveyed over 2,000 individuals aged 16 and over access the UK, also revealed that over a third of Brits avoid discussing end of life preparations altogether.
However, it also revealed a trend in the attitudes of young people; 63% of respondents between the ages of 16 and 24 disclosed that they have discussed death and end of life preparations with their loved ones – the highest percentage across all age groups.
While 63% of respondents reported having had conversations with their loved ones about end-of-life preparations, a substantial 34% admitted to having avoided these discussions entirely.
When asked why they avoid having these conversations, the primary reasons given were “not feeling the urgency to talk about it yet” (43%) and “being uncomfortable discussing death” (42%). Additionally, 26% respondents chose “fear of the topic” as the main reason they avoid discussions about death.
Meanwhile, 37% said they’d encountered legal or logistical difficulties at least once when handling the affairs of a deceased family member or loved one.
Looking at different regions, the North-East displayed the most significant proportion of individuals who have proactively made a funeral plan, with 43% having done so, followed by Greater London at 37%. Wales had the smallest percentage of individuals who reported having made preparations for their funeral, with only 21% saying they had planned ahead.
Paula Llewellyn, CMO and MD of direct L&G retail, said: “Open and honest conversations about death are a crucial step towards securing your loved ones’ financial wellbeing. Our survey underscores the shifting attitudes of younger generations, who are leading the charge in embracing these discussions.
“For those open to having these conversations, it’s never too early to communicate and a clear plan of action can make a world of difference in times of need.”
