People will be able to pay the cost of their own funeral up front through the Post Office under a new financial service it has launched.

The Post Office said its pre-paid funeral plans will allow customers to fix their costs in today's money, protecting against any future increases to such charges.

Available to customers aged over 50, the plans will help people to put in place and pay for "the essential elements of a funeral".

People will be able to choose the style of their send-off, with three types of funeral plan available - the "essential" policy at a cost of £3,275, the "standard" package at £3,565 or the "premium" policy at £3,899. Costs can be paid as a lump sum or in monthly instalments.

Customers can choose whether they would like a "simple, quality wood effect" or a "high quality veneer" coffin.

A plan could include guidance on all aspects of the funeral, the provision of a hearse, the availability of a limousine to transport mourners, 24-hour bereavement counselling and the provision of a funeral director and staff to attend the service.

Paul Havenhand, head of insurance at the Post Office said: "Most of us, understandably, would rather avoid thinking about our funerals.

"Our pre-paid funeral plans guarantee that customers will pay today's price for the funeral they have chosen, even if the average cost continues to increase."