Pre-Planning F.A.Q.
Why Pre-Plan & Pre-Pay Your Funeral
Planning a funeral can be a overwhelming and an emotional task. Clear and rational decisions are difficult to make and there are over 50 decisions that will have to be made. By planning your funeral in advance, you will spare your family the added burden, both emotional and financial.
To ease the burden, the best thing to do is plan ahead and make these decisions.
What can be pre-planned?
You decide what to pre-plan. Most of the time, an individual will make the complete arrangements. This includes recording vital statistics needed for the death certificate and obituary, selecting the type of funeral service and merchandise. Also, any special requests that one has concerning the funeral service are recorded. The pre-arrangement process comes with no financial obligation, but there are benefits to prepaying your arrangements.
What about pre-paying funeral expenses?
Once you have selected the type of funeral service, merchandise and other expenses, you can pay the full amount at today's prices and the expenses are guaranteed for future need. If you are not able to pay the expenses if full, you can make payments into a burial account at any time and any amount. However, the funeral expenses are not guaranteed until the account has sufficient funds to cover all expenses.
What happens if payments are being made to the burial trust account and death occurs before the full amount is paid?
The amount in the account will be applied towards the funeral expenses. The unpaid balance will have to be paid by your survivors.
Will my account earn interest over the years?
Yes. The interest earned will stay in your account. The interest will help cover the cost of inflation. The Pre-Need Contract you sign, and receive a copy of, will state who will receive any unused interest.
Will the cost of my funeral service increase as the years go by?
Yes. Over the years, funeral expenses will increase just like other expenses. However, by pre-paying your expenses as listed on the Pre-Need Contract, you are assured in writing that your family will never pay more for the services and merchadise that you selected. Since we have no control over cash advance expenses (expenses paid to a third party), such as cemetery, obituary notices, flowers, these cannot be guaranteed.
Will there be any additional charges at the time of death?
Only if your family requests additional services or merchandise and the burial account is not sufficient to cover all the expenses. Also, if death occurs away from home, the services of an out of town funeral director may be needed. These charges will be billed to your family at cost.
What if I move out of the area?
If you move and decide to be buried elsewhere, please contact the funeral home. Your burial account can be transferred.
What happens to my pre-paid account should the funeral home go out of business?
Your money is protected. You would be able to transfer your account to another funeral home.
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