When a friend or loved one dies or death is expected to take place soon, there are many details to take care of. This can be a very stressful time. You are grieving and may have assumed a great responsibility by taking on the task of making funeral arrangements for someone you care about. The following information will make this difficult time easier for you.
Getting Started
1. Shop around. Compare prices from at least two funeral homes. Remember that you can supply your own casket or urn. Click here to print out a price comparison worksheet. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print this form.
2. Ask for a price list. The law requires funeral homes to give you written price lists for products and services.
3. Try to resist pressure to buy goods and services you don’t really want or need.
4. Avoid emotional overspending. It’s not necessary to have the fanciest casket or the most elaborate funeral to honor a loved one.
5. Recognize your rights. Laws regarding funerals and burials vary from state to state. It’s a smart move to know which goods or services the law requires that you purchase and which are optional.
6. Apply the same smart shopping techniques you use for other major purchases. You can cut costs by limiting the viewing to one day, or one hour before the funeral, and by dressing your loved one in a favorite outfit instead of costly burial clothing.
7. Plan ahead. It allows you to comparison shop without time constraints, creates an opportunity for family discussion, and lifts the burden from your family.
Source: Federal Trade Commission Pamphlet | FUNERALS: A Consumer Guide
www.ftc.gov | 1-877-FTC-HELP
Funeral arrangements often times take place within 24 hours of the loss of a loved one. Pre-planning for the funeral allows families that precious time needed to make decisions regarding funeral options without the emotional stress related to the loss. The act of pre-planning also allows for one to ease the burden regarding decisions and to make their personal wishes known.
Starting the pre-planning process can be as easy as your first phone call. Our funeral director will lead you through the pre-arrangement process. You can rest assured that our staff is attentive to your every need. We will answer any question that you might have and will never pressure you into any decisions.
The most important part of the planning process is just that, planning. You will be given the option of pre-paying, paying over time, or not paying and just making your wishes known.
Like the cost of everything, the cost of funeral services go up over time. By pre-paying the funeral, you will have the peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of and that your family will not have to worry about financial matters in their time of grief.
When you pre-pay your funeral expenses, the monies collected will be place into an irrevocable trust. You cannot change your mind and cash your money out at any time. However, the money is fully transferable to any funeral home. So if you move away, for example, the account can be transferred to funeral home in your area.
By pre-planning during the application process for SSI/Medicaid you will have the opportunity to plan and pay for a funeral out of your own funds, ensuring that the funeral services are to your exact wishes. If you wait until the funds are exhausted and you are relying on the Medicaid benefit to pay for your funeral, the Medicaid benefit is very limited and may not provide for the services you wish for.
Our funeral directors will accommodate you, whatever the need. Basic arrangements can be done at the funeral home, by phone and mail, and yes, we even make house calls.
