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| Preplanning funeral arrangements is not a new concept. Throughout history, people have prepared for death. In Roman times nearly 2,000 years ago, burial clubs held monthly meetings and collected dues to pay for members’ funerals. In spite of such historical accounts, thinking about your own demise and funeral is a subject that causes many people to feel a bit uneasy. However, once that initial reaction is overcome, personal funeral planning can be recognized as a wise decision that’s becoming increasingly accepted and appreciated. A preplanned or prepaid funeral is a legal agreement defining what will be paid now for funeral services needed sometime in the future. This contract may include a funeral, burial, cremation, other services, and/or merchandise. There are many reasons to preplan and/or prepay for a funeral. Such arrangements eliminate the guesswork for surviving family members. Loved ones can take comfort in knowing that the funeral will be conducted exactly according to the desires of the deceased. That comfort extends to the one who does the planning since well-meaning relatives cannot overrule your final wishes. When faced with decisions about financial matters while in the throes of grief, vulnerability can be a factor. Costly suggestions based on emotions rather than practicality can come into play. Disreputable business persons can take advantage of these traumatic times and financial burdens can be the outcome. A major financial benefit to preplanned/prepaid arrangements is often that current prices can be locked-in and not increased at a future date. Realistically, most of us don’t have a lot of practice making funeral arrangements. If death occurs suddenly and unexpectedly—as it often does—there is not much time to shop around. If you invest in a plan that allows interest to build, your heirs may receive a dividend after the funeral bill has been paid in full. There is no best time to preplan or no best list of details for planning ahead. It is a matter of individual preference. Decisions to be made can center around the type of visitation, service, and burial desired. Also of importance are the musical and floral selections; the type of casket; burial clothing; who will officiate; the headstone and engraving; and the actual burial site. You may even wish to write your own epitaph. Of course, a major consideration is the selection of a reputable mortuary that is financially stable and will provide the services you require. It is advised to allow at least one-and-a-half to two hours to sit down with a mortuary staff member. Should your will or other legal documentation contain information regarding your funeral, you might want to bring copies of that paperwork to the meeting. During this process, every minute detail does not need to be determined. Some people prefer to plan in a broad, general way rather than dealing with specifics. Your local funeral director is trained to be sensitive to your frame of mind and can provide the individualized advice you need. Which aspects of your funeral you choose to preplan are personally unique. Every family is different, and not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Funeral practices are influenced by religious and cultural traditions as well as personal preferences. A discussion of a complete list of goods and services the mortuary is prepared to provide is wise to consider. All services offered may not necessarily meet your needs or wishes. The cost of your contract could be reduced accordingly. For example, if you choose cremation you would not be charged for embalming. It is recommended that the responsibilities of the funeral home are clearly specified and that you are advised in plain language of your rights and obligations. It should be guaranteed that if any of the goods or services you have selected are not available when needed, goods and services of equal or greater value will be substituted at no additional cost. This locked-in agreement assures that you will receive the value you deserve. Any documentation you sign should define the circumstances under which you can transfer your contract to another funeral home should you relocate or your death happened to occur out of the area. Once your funeral arrangements are in place, keep a copy of the contract and any related paperwork in a safe place. It is also suggested that you inform a friend or relative of the plans you have made and where they can find this documentation. Most states require funeral homes to deposit the monies from prepaid contracts into special trust accounts that keep the funds separate from general accounts. This is intended to prevent embezzlement. It is also done to protect investments if the mortuary encounters financial difficulties or goes out of business. Today, it has become increasingly popular to utilize the preplanning services of a funeral home. These employees often have an array of other duties to perform, such as coordinating service plans with the cemetery, crematory, and/or other parties involved in the final disposition of the deceased; coordinating religious and other ceremonies; and securing and recording the death certificate and disposition permit. They must also prepare and file newspaper notices and obituaries; coordinate and direct the actual funeral ceremony; supervise the visitation and the arrangement of floral pieces and tributes; and respond to telephone calls regarding services, etc. Additionally, the mortuary staff may provide direction concerning financial planning, property disbursement, and/or insurance and legal information. Preplanning your funeral can be a freeing experience, allowing your final wishes to be honored while relieving your loved ones of burdensome arrangements at the time of your passing. Preplanning your funeral can be a proactive way to deal with the inevitable. Sources included: www.nfda.org, www.funeralplan.com, and www.funeralplanning101.com. |
Preplanning Your Funeral |
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