More than eight in ten Britons have made no provision for their funeral costs, new research suggests.
It equates to 40 million people who would leave their families with an average £3,000 immediate bill for the cost of their funeral.
This is despite nearly half of those consumers questioned (45%) stating they are concerned about their own funerals, with their main worry being cost (18%).
The You Gov research also suggests 40% of Britons have experience of arranging a funeral for someone else, rising to 67% of over 55s.
When arranging funerals for others, people responded by saying costs (13%) and stress were the main issues (13%).
In response, CUNA Mutual Group is launching FuneralProtect+ -, a two in one funeral product designed to simplify the funeral process by combining insurance with funeral care.
The plan is available through the Co-operative and allows all those covered to record their funeral requirements, such as requesting a cremation or a burial, or asking for a favourite piece of music to be played, as and when they are ready.
Paul Walsh, CEO of CUNA Mutual says: "We will be offering a softer side of protection which allows people to consider all funeral aspects for themselves and remove emotional strain by allowing them to think about what they want for themselves and their family.
"Although attitudes are changing in the UK, there is still a long way to go to match our continental colleagues' openness to discussing funerals."
