Now Tesco helps at the final checkout

SHOPPERS are to be offered money off their funerals in a new Tesco loyalty card scheme. They will be able to use vouchers earned through supermarket purchases to help ease their way into the hereafter.

Tesco has signed a partnership with Dignity Funerals, which offers four standard cremation plans ranging from £1,725 to £2,475 depending on the lavishness of the arrangements and the location.

The new Tesco Clubcard 'Deals' brochure offers a £10 voucher towards a range of purchases, including the funeral plans, based on each 250 points collected by the customer.

Normally, shoppers get one point for each £1 spent, so spending £250 would generate 250 points, with vouchers worth £2.50. However, the 'Deals' brochure quadruples the number of points, so spending £250 generates 1,000 points, with a voucher for £10.

Using this equation, a shopper would need to spend some £43,125 in Tesco or buy some 98,011 cans of Heinz baked beans at 44p a time to qualify for the cheapest funeral.

Tesco Freetime Director, Steve McArdle, said: 'Sorting out funeral expenses and arrangements can be stressful and upsetting for grieving families. Many people prefer to make their own arrangements and a funeral plan can help do this. It is a big expenditure and customers have asked for our help, which is why we've now included funeral plans.'