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Funeral bond Q&A

1. Can funeral bond arrangements be altered?
   Yes, although we would charge for any alterations that incur additional expense.

2. Is there anything further to pay at the time of the funeral?
   No, as long as there are no changes in the arrangements.

3. Can I withdraw from the funeral bond?
   Yes, subject to an administration fee. Our terms and conditions can be fully explained by a member of staff.

4. Is Midlands Co-operative Funeral bond guaranteed?
   Yes. Once arranged and paid for, the Funeral Bond is guaranteed to the original agreement without further cost, irrespective of when the funeral takes place.

5. Can my age or health stop me from purchasing a bond?
   No. There are no age or health restrictions.

6. What if I die abroad?
   Your Midlands Co-operative Funeral Bond covers the cost of a funeral within the United Kingdom. If there is a possibility that you may die overseas, you should make provision for this through medical or holiday insurance.

7. What happens when death occurs?
   Your next of kin should contact the funeral home where the bond was arranged, and we ill then arrange for your funeral to be conducted in accordance with the bond.

8. Who will conduct the funeral?
   You have the assurance of knowing that as well as providing the bond your nominated funeral director will conduct the funeral. This means full control of quality, and high standards are maintained throughout, providing a service you know you can trust.

Terms and conditions

1. Definitions
   1. “The Society”. Midlands Co-operative Society Limited (and its successors in title) whose registered office is at Central House, Hermes Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6RH or its duly appointed agents.
   2. “Client”. A person including (where appropriate) his or her personal representatives who has arranged a funeral by acquiring a Co-operative Funeral Bond.
   3. “Co-operative Funeral Bond”. The document issued by the Society which contains the full agreement of the terms of the Funeral Services to be arranged by the Society.
   4. “Funeral Services”. The services for the funeral which is specified in the Co-operative Funeral Bond.

2. Payment
   1. Cost. The cost of the Co-operative Funeral Bond will depend upon the individual Funeral Services requirements specified therein. A detailed quotation of the arrangements made will be sent or given prior to the issue of the Co-operative Funeral Bond.
   2. How to pay. Payment may be made by cheque, cash, credit/debit card or standing order.
   3. When to pay. Payment may be made in one lump sum, by 12 monthly instalments or 24 and 36 month instalments which would include a financial charge. The Co-operative Funeral Bond Certificate will be issued upon receipt of either the full amount or the final instalment.
      An additional charge will be made for removal of any pacemaker fitted after the issue of the Co-operative Bond.

3. Alterations to the funeral services
   1. Alteration by the Client. Any alterations to the Funeral Services made prior to the funeral will be chargeable at the prices prevailing at the time of the alteration.
   2. Alteration by the Society. Whilst every effort will be made by the Society to carry out the Client’s wishes as detailed in the Co-operative Bond, the Society reserves the right to alter the specifications if circumstances so dictate.
   3. Where a plot has been reserved for a burial, should the client change residence which takes them out of the parish/district, the local authority reserve the right to charge double or triple fees when that plot is re-opened. This additional fee will have to be paid by the person arranging the funeral at the time of need.
   4. Alteration by the client or the Society. Refunds will NOT be issued for any items listed on the co-operative bond that are not required at the time of need.
   5. Alteration by the Client. Whilst every effort will be made by the society to carry out the wishes as detailed in the Co-operative Bond, the deceased next of kin reserves the right to alter the specifications if circumstances so dictate.

4. Death
   1. Death before all instalments have been paid. If the Client dies before payment of the final instalment, it shall be in the Society’s absolute discretion whether to:
      1. transfer the instalments paid towards the required services and invoice the Client’s personal representatives for the balance (NB: the right to pay by instalments does not extend to a Client’s personal representatives); or
      2. return the instalments already paid to the Client’s personal representatives less an administration charge of £50 or such sum as the Society shall from time to time deem necessary to cover its reasonable costs in connection therewith.

   2. Death outside the UK. If the person in respect of whom the funeral services are to be provided dies outside the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales, it shall be in the Society’s absolute discretion whether to:
      1. arrange the required services specified in the Co-operative Bond, and invoice the Client’s personal representatives for the additional expenses involved; or
      2. refund the cost of the Co-operative Bond less an administration charge of £50 or such sum as the Society shall from time to time deem necessary to cover its reasonable costs in connection therewith.

5. Cancellation
   In the event (each an “Event of Default”) that:
   1. a Client cancels a Co-operative Bond prior to death; or
   2. the funeral is performed by a funeral director unauthorised by the Society; or
   3. a Client has not completed or maintained instalment payments and the Society has cancelled the Co-operative Bond by written notice to the Client on the grounds that an instalment has been due and unpaid by the Client for a period in excess of fourteen days; or
   4. the death of the person in respect of whom the Co-operative Bond is to provide a funeral results from (or the Society cannot meet its obligations because of) war, invasion, act of foreign enemy hostilities (whether war declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution insurrection, terrorism, military or usurped power, riot or civil commotion
      the Society will return to the Client, or to his or her personal representatives such amount as the Society shall have received from the Client prior to the Event of Default, less an administrative charge of £50 or such sum as the Society shall from time to time deem necessary to cover its reasonable costs in connection therewith.

6. Miscellaneous
   No contractual relationship shall exist until such time as full payment for the Co-operative Bond shall have been received by the Society.

7. Data Protection Act 1998
   The information you provide when arranging a funeral is held by MCS Funeral Services Ltd (who is the data controller for the purpose of the Data Protection Act 1998). Please note, however, that MCS Funeral Services Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 and will freely make available such information to you on a written request made to the Society. This information will contain your personal details and details of the products and services provided through the funeral. We collect personal information (data) from clients at the time of making funeral arrangements. Information collected will be held on the computers (and in other ways) of MCS Funeral Services Ltd. The following explains how we handle your data and when we will disclose personal information. We need to process and pass information to third parties such as local authorities, cemetery and crematoria. We may pass sensitive personal information on to suppliers to cater for any special needs, for example wheelchair assistance. Your data may be processed within the United Kingdom or overseas where applicable. Data transferred outside the European Economic Area may not be subject to the same high standard of data protection legislation. We will never sell your details to third parties for marketing purposes. We may transfer information to businesses within our group to keep you informed about their products, for example monumental masonry. You may opt out of receiving marketing information by advising the funeral arranging staff. We may use the data you provide for the purposes of financial control and debt recovery through outside agencies. We may use the information you provide for the purposes of administration, customer service, business management, market research and analysis. We may monitor and/or record telephone conversations for security purposes and to improve customer service levels. We may provide your information to public authorities, such as the police, customs and immigration if required by them or as required by law. By continuing with this funeral arrangement or enquiry, you are confirming that you consent to the uses, transmission and disclosure of information as described, irrespective of the levels of data protection provided in any particular country, and understand that this is at your own risk.

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