If you’re a new funeral plan provider or intermediary, find out when you need to apply to us for authorisation and how to apply.
Before carrying out any business, you must either:
- be directly authorised by us, which means applying to us for authorisation, or
- be an appointed representative (AR) of a principal firm, which means your principal firm must apply to us on your behalf
Other pages in this section explain how to:
- appoint intermediaries as ARs if you’re a funeral plan provider
- become an AR if you’re a funeral plan intermediary
- apply for a variation of permission if you’re already authorised by us
What to read first
The application process
Our how to apply page explains:
- our expectations of all firms
- the application process
- how to avoid delays with your application
You must read this page in full before submitting your application through our Connect system, so make sure you register.
Policy and guidance
Read our policy statement and consultation paper to understand how we regulate funeral plans and the rules for firms undertaking funeral plans.
Threshold conditions
Our threshold conditions are our minimum standards for authorised firms.
You'll need to explain how you'll continue to meet each threshold condition.
Perimeter guidance
Consider which permissions you need to apply for.
You'll need to explain how the permissions and investment types in our perimeter guidance match up with your business model, and how you intend to hold and/or safeguard any client money or assets.
Don’t apply for permissions you don’t need or intend to use – this will delay your application.
Prepare your application
You must submit your application through Connect.
Make sure you include:
- your regulatory business plan
- all the required forms and supporting material
The sections below have more information about what we expect to see in your application.
Prudential requirements
Whether you’re applying to be a funeral plan provider or an intermediary (whether directly authorised or as an AR), you must meet our prudential requirements.
You can read about this in our policy statement.
Providers – to help us assess your financials, if your company’s statutory accounts are prepared on a consolidated basis with your trust accounts, you must be able to provide a stripped-out version of the company accounts that outlines the company’s standalone financial position.
Intermediaries – please prepare your business to make sure you have the financial resources to meet these requirements. If you apply for direct authorisation, you must demonstrate in your application how you’ll meet these requirements.
Application fee
You have to pay a fee to submit your application. The fee is non-refundable.
The fee for funeral plan:
- providers falls into pricing category 5
- intermediaries falls into pricing category 4
Find out more about our authorisation fees, including our pricing categories and how to pay.
Final check and submit
Before you submit everything on Connect, give it one more check to be sure you’ve included everything.
Our how to apply page has 3 top tips to ensure your application goes smoothly, and explains what happens after you’ve submitted it.
If you need more help
Please contact us on 0300 500 0597. We’re open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, and Thursday 9.45am to 5pm.
