Five questions to ask a funeral director about preplanning

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Preplanning your funeral is a true symbol of love to your family. If someone dies without a plan in place, their family can be overwhelmed by the decisions that need to be made.

We have found that many people don’t know that they can plan ahead of time for this kind of thing. When we start the conversation, several common questions tend to come up.

1. Why should I preplan? I’m going to be gone; I don’t care what you do.

While it is true that you won’t be around to worry about your arrangements, at the time of your death, your family members are going to be going through a lot. Shock, grief and confusion are very common at this time, even when a death is expected.

When you sit down with our staff ahead of time and make a written plan of your wishes, you can greatly reduce the amount of decisions that need to be made by your family members. You will work with our staff to design a personalized plan and tribute that reflect your interests and wishes about merchandise, types of services or gatherings, and any personal touches that you would like such as an officiant, music and flowers. Your plan will be ready for your family to carry out when the time comes.

2. Can I prepay for my services? Where does the money go?

Even though it is not required, you can choose to pay for your funeral ahead of time. This is very helpful to your surviving family members who will not have to worry about financial concerns related to your services at a time when they are handling many other financial matters.

Advance payment can take several forms. Some families assign a pre-existing life insurance policy to our funeral home. Any funds from the policy that are not spent on the funeral expenses would be returned to your survivors. Many choose to purchase a funeral insurance policy which can include a growth benefit over time. Other families also choose to set up a trust fund for these expenses. All funds are held within the financial instrument and not by our funeral home.

3. What if I have already arranged a funeral somewhere else?

You can always transfer your funeral plans from another funeral home to ours. We can help you with this process.

4. I have life insurance already, so why would I need to preplan?

The purpose of life insurance is to ease the financial burden to family members when someone passes away, and it is a wonderful gift to your family. However, it is still important to make advance funeral arrangements so all of the details are taken care of.

Pre-paid funeral plans are designated to pay for funeral expenses. By prepaying for your funeral, your family doesn’t have to worry about the financial responsibility. And they will still have life insurance policy to take care of your affairs.

5. What if I want to make changes to my plan later?

You may make changes to your preplanned funeral arrangements any time as the need arises. We will be in touch periodically to make sure that we have your current information, and whether you want to change service details like music selections or pallbearers, or go an entirely different direction with your arrangements, we will be here to help.

We take pride in taking care of every family that walks through our doors, and make sure to provide the highest quality of customer service. Give us a call today to get started on your plan.

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Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, and navigating the funeral process can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time making funeral arrangements or you’re unsure about certain aspects of the process, it’s natural to have many questions. Understanding the typical procedures and options available can help ease the burden during this difficult time. Here are some of the most frequently asked funeral questions and their answers to guide you through the process. 1. What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral typically involves a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present, either before or during burial or cremation. It often includes a viewing or wake, where family and friends can pay their respects. A memorial service , on the other hand, takes place after the body has been buried or cremated and does not involve the presence of the body. 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There are options to help manage funeral expenses, such as cremation (which can be less expensive than burial), choosing a less elaborate service, or purchasing a funeral plan in advance. 4. What is cremation, and how does it differ from burial? Cremation involves the process of reducing the body to ashes. Many people choose cremation for its simplicity, lower cost, and flexibility in how the ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred. Some people opt for a cremation memorial service, where the ashes are present but there is no body. Burial , on the other hand, involves placing the body in a casket and then burying it in a cemetery. This option may include the purchase of a grave plot, headstone, and other related services. The choice between cremation and burial depends on personal, cultural, and religious preferences. 5. What are the steps in planning a funeral? Planning a funeral typically involves the following steps: Notify family and friends : Reach out to close family and friends and inform them of the passing. Choose a funeral home : Select a funeral home to help with arrangements, including embalming (if applicable), obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating transportation. Select the type of service : Decide on whether you want a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. You’ll also need to choose the location and any religious or cultural elements to incorporate. Choose a casket or urn : Select a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from. Plan the ceremony : Work with the funeral director to plan the service, including music, readings, eulogies, and floral arrangements. Arrange for transportation : The funeral home will coordinate the transportation of the body to the service and burial or cremation site. 6. Should I pre-plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral is a personal choice. Many people choose to pre-plan to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to specify your wishes for the service, casket, burial, and other aspects of the funeral, ensuring your desires are respected. Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can help protect your family from rising costs in the future. However, it’s important to carefully consider pre-planning options, as funeral costs can vary, and you’ll want to ensure that the plan is flexible and fully understood by the family members who will carry out your wishes. 7. What are the options for scattering ashes? If you choose cremation, there are many options for what to do with the ashes: Scattering : Many people choose to scatter the ashes in a location that had significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park, beach, or nature spot. Keepsake urns : Some families choose to keep a portion of the ashes in a special urn or piece of jewelry. Interment : Ashes can be interred in a family plot or at a cemetery, either in a niche or within a memorial garden. Other creative options : There are many creative options for commemorating the deceased, including turning ashes into diamonds or using them to create a memorial reef. 8. What is a death certificate, and why is it important? A death certificate is an official document issued by a governmental authority that confirms the death of a person. It is essential for handling legal and financial matters, such as settling the deceased’s estate, claiming life insurance, and closing accounts. The funeral home typically assists in obtaining several copies of the death certificate. 9. Can I personalize a funeral service? Absolutely! Many families choose to personalize the funeral service to reflect the deceased's personality, passions, or hobbies. You can incorporate meaningful music, photos, special readings, or even display personal items that were important to the deceased. The funeral director can help guide you through creative options for personalization. 10. What should I do if I can’t attend the funeral? If you’re unable to attend the funeral in person, consider sending flowers, a sympathy card, or making a charitable donation in the deceased’s honor. If the family holds a memorial service, they may also offer the option to participate virtually, such as through a livestream. It’s always thoughtful to express your condolences in any way possible. Funeral planning can be complex, but understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions can help make the process easier to navigate. Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one or pre-planning your own, it’s important to take the time to make informed decisions. By doing so, you can create a meaningful, respectful ceremony that honors the life and memory of the deceased, while providing comfort to those who are grieving.