Why Should I Prearrange And Prefinance My Funeral?

There are several advantages to you and to your family. First, you can arrange for a meaningful type of funeral service. You can select the casket and other merchandise that you want. This relieves your family of the burden of making those decisions at a time when they are emotionally distressed. They will not have to guess about your wishes. They will know because you have taken the time and the consideration to plan ahead.


How can I personalize my funeral?

You can personalize your funeral service by making prearrangements. By making prearrangements, you can select a funeral service which has great personal meaning to YOU. The service can celebrate your individual, unique life. It can provide comfort for your loved ones as it commemorates your life. They will know that you have personally arranged this final farewell.

What are the benefits of prearranging my funeral?

When you make funeral pre-arrangements, you have the peace of mind knowing that you have selected a meaningful service that will comfort you and your family.  You have also spared your family the difficult task of making funeral arrangements at the time of need.

If I make prearrangements and prefinance them, how do I know my deposit will be safe?

To be sure your funds are handled as required by the Act, we suggest you:

Make arrangements only with licensed firms.
Be certain your preneed funds are placed in a trust.
Read the preneed trust contract.
Let your family know about your wishes.


When you make funeral prearrangements, the funeral home will prepare a preneed trust contract which states the amount of money you have paid, the services which you have selected, and the funeral home's responsibilities. Read the contract carefully to be certain that you have arranged everything just as you want it. Should your circumstances change, you can obtain a refund of both principal and earned interest in accordance with the contract you sign.

Be sure to inform your family or a close friend or your legal representative about your prearrangements. Place a copy of your prearrangement contract along with your other wishes regarding your final disposition in a place where they will be available when needed.


Can I guarantee the price of my funeral when prearrangements are made?

Many funeral homes offer guaranteed prefinanced arrangements. This means if you select your service and pay for it in full now, the funeral home will guarantee to provide the service in the future for today's price. Funds invested on a selection made at this time (prearranged) are expected to be protected by the interest earned on the account. Prefinancing allows an individual to pay for their funeral at today's prices rather than the inflated prices of the future.


Should I seek out a funeral director?

Yes, select a funeral director of your choice who is licensed to accept preneed funds. He or she is a stable figure in your community and has succeeded by always responding to the trust of his or her clients. Further, you should go to him or her only because you want to.


What about those organizations which do contact consumers door-to-door or by telephone?

Many may be ethical and very professional. They, too, may be licensed to accept funds. Before making a purchase decision, be sure the contract allows you to withdraw your principal and interest should you move away or have other extenuating circumstances.

Shipping a vault elsewhere, for example, is too expensive in most instances. Ask yourself and check the contract to find the answer to this question . . . "If I move to another state, can I get my money back?" If the answer is "no," carefully evaluate your decision. Preneed decisions can be very beneficial-- if they can be reversed when circumstances demand.


Is the concept of prefinanced funerals relatively new?

Today, over two hundred million dollars is held in trust for clients who wish to preplan and prefinance their funeral or the funeral of a loved one.


If I just want to learn more about funeral prearrangements from the funeral director of my choice, am I obligated in any way?

Information is always available from your funeral director without cost or obligation. He or she wants you to feel totally comfortable in making any inquiries you may have and helping you implement any decision which you may eventually make.