WHY PREARRANGE?

 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING ADVANCE

FUNERAL PLANNING AND FUNDING

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 Why should I consider advance funeral planning?

The most certain and least talked about major event in everyone’s life is death.  The major problem with funerals is that the person who should have made the decisions about the event didn’t.  Now family members are left to decide without knowing what the deceased would have wanted.  In addition, many people do not know what is involved in the process.

Being prepared eliminates the uncertainties for loved ones.  Trust me, they will appreciate it.  In addition, many families are unaware of the costs of funerals and what is necessary to arrange them.  Unfortunately, the decisions that must be made regarding numerous details come at a time when remaining family members may be emotionally too weak to cope adequately with the task. 

Being prepared is having peace of mind.  A recent survey showed that seventy-one percent of those who have pre-arranged their funeral did so to relieve their families of the burden of funeral arrangements and cost.  Many more said they liked the sense of personal independence it gave them.

Your own personal family record.  Every person and family should discuss their personal desires concerning death and burial.  These preferences and plans should be put in writing before the actual need occurs.  Awareness of practical considerations related to death and preparation ahead of time can make a big difference in the way our family emerges from the crisis.

Get all the facts and then decide.  We urge you to get all the facts and then decide.  We can help by providing you a Memorial Guide and full information on what is involved in pre-arrangement and how your costs can be frozen at today’s prices.

There is no obligation or charge for this valuable service.  You will have all the facts in advance so you are able to make decisions calmly and thoughtfully.  After all, it’s one thing you can do better than anyone else on earth.

The most thoughtful gift you can give your family takes no more than your time. 


What does pre-arrangement mean?

Pre-arrangement means that you make your funeral and cemetery arrangements yourself, while you are still alive, rather than leaving these arrangements to be made by someone else after your death.

 Why should I pre-arrange?

There are several reasons why all individuals should pre-arrange for all of their funeral and cemetery needs.

*First, if pre-arrangements are not made, the entire burden of making such arrangements will fall upon your family or friend following your death.

*Second, many people have strong feelings as to how they would like their funeral and cemetery arrangements to be handled.

*Third, the selection of funeral and cemetery arrangements is an important decision that cannot be reversed.


Who should I contact regarding pre-arrangements?

In order for pre-arrangements to be most beneficial, it is advisable to discuss your wishes with a family service counselor who represents funeral homes, a crematory and a cemetery.

What does pre-payment mean?

Pre-payment means paying for your funeral and cemetery pre-arrangements yourself, while you are alive, rather than having someone else or your estate pay for your arrangements after your death.

Why should I pre-pay?

There are several reasons why pre-payment should accompany pre-arrangement.  Most importantly, unless you pre-pay, in the form of a binding contract made in conjunction with your pre-arrangements, it is quite possible that none of the advantages of pre-arrangements will be realized.  If financial arrangements are made after death, the person making them will most likely be a grief-stricken widow or widower, who will make an emotional decision under severe time constraints.

Pre-payment also helps to ensure that funds will be available to provide for the specific goods and services that you prefer.

In addition, many individuals find that they have much greater peace of mind knowing that all aspects of their funeral and cemetery arrangements, including the financial aspects, have been finalized.

 What types of pre-payment options exist?

There are three major types of pre-payment options:  Payment in cash into an annuity for the mortuary or cash paid directly to the cemetery where the arrangements are made, insurance earmarked for these expenses, or placing your money aside in a separate bank account to be used only for funeral and cemetery expenses.

Keep in mind the following.  Money paid into an annuity for the mortuary or paid directly to the cemetery will normally eliminate the need for someone to make detailed financial arrangements with that establishment at the time of your death.  If insurance is purchased, the need to make such arrangements may or may not be eliminated, depending upon the manner in which you purchased the insurance.  If you place money aside yourself, a loved one will definitely have to make the necessary arrangements at the time of your death and many of the advantages associated with pre-payment will be lost.

Who should I contact regarding pre-payment?

Regardless of the pre-payment option you select, you should first consult a representative of the funeral home and cemetery whose services you plan to utilize in order to learn the approximate cost of the services and merchandise that you prefer.  This information will allow you to determine the approximate cost of your pre-payment, before you select a particular funding option.

How do I know if I am getting a fair price?

As is the case with most purchases, the only way to really know whether you are getting a fair price is to do some comparison shopping.  Here again lies one of the major advantages of pre-arrangement and pre-payment.  It is fairly easy to take the time to do some comparison shopping when you are making your own pre-arrangements and are not under any severe time constraints.  A great source for this information is a family service counselor.

*First, determine the exact services and merchandise that you want, and then be sure that you compare the prices from different establishments.  Your family service counselor can assist in this effort.

*Second, insist that all information be provided to you in an itemized format.  Again, the family service counselor is a terrific source.

*Third, compare the “bottom line.”

*Fourth, be sure to consider factors other than price, such as, reputation, facilities and relationship with the firm’s personnel.

What products and services are covered through pre-payment?

Virtually any funeral, cemetery or crematory merchandise or service can be pre-paid.

Is the price of merchandise and services that have been pre-purchased guaranteed against inflation?

The answer to this question depends on the funding option you select.  Money placed into an annuity will increase annually and therefore provide inflation coverage and will guarantee the future cost of the services selected to be fully covered in conjunction with a care agreement and a funeral home.  This is also true with an increasing value life insurance policy purchased in conjunction with a care agreement and a funeral home. 

Money placed into your own savings account for this eventuality does not have inflation protection.  Neither does the use of an existing life insurance policy that was not issued in conjunction with a care agreement and a funeral home.

Can I change my pre-arrangements once they are pre-paid?

Virtually all funeral homes and cemeteries will allow you to change the specific merchandise or services that you selected after you have pre-paid for them.