Pre-Planning Options
Many people plan for life events such as weddings and vacations well in advance, but many people do not plan for something that is certain to happen, their funeral. While most people do not want to think about their own morality, the time to pre-plan your funeral is now. The primary advantages of pre-arranging your funeral is to relieve the burden on your loved ones in an already emotional time, and to ensure your funeral is carried out according to your wishes, eliminating the task of second-guessing what you would have wanted. Taking the time now to arrange your funeral is one less thing your loved ones will need to worry about once you’ve passed. Pre-planning and pre-paying your funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give to your family.
Pre-Payment Options
Pre-paying your funeral reduces stress and financial burden on your loved ones after your passing. We can co-ordinate a payment plans that suits your needs, from a single payment plan to monthly payments. By pre-paying your funeral you eliminate your family second guessing on if they have spent too much or too little on your funeral. Pre-payment also helps to protect you and your family from inflation since your money will generate interest income. Depending on your Medicaid status, if your funeral costs less than the amount you have put aside, those funds will be refunded back to your beneficiaries. For more information on what is applicable in your region, simply speak to your funeral director. Each year thousands of people decide to pre-plan and pre-pay their funeral, these plans are designed to be flexible and can accommodate the many changes that often occur in people’s lives.
What you can do in advance…
- Decide on Burial or Cremation and your casket or urn type.
- Pick what type of service you want (religious, military, non-traditional)
- Choose which funeral home to use.
- Designate your pallbearers, pick any music or readings you want at your service.
Benefits of Pre-Planning
- Between 70 and 75 decisions are made within the first 24-48 hours of death. It’s difficult to think rationally while making so many decisions within days of losing someone, pre-planning gives yourself, family and friends peace of mind. Pre-planning gives your loved ones direction of your wants and desires.
- It’s easy. Anyone can do it, and you can change your mind at any time.
“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Doing things now is always easier because we can never predict the future. Pre-planning funeral arrangements relieves your family from the burden of having to make decisions at a difficult time. At the time of an actual funeral, most decisions need to be made within a few hours. But by pre-planning the funeral, you can take your time and make decisions in an unhurried and thoughtful way. You will relieve your family the stress and it offers you the opportunity to let your family know of your wishes. For the same reasons you write a will, make retirement plans, or buy life insurance, people feel that it is a good idea to plan for the future and make their funeral plans.
We believe the best way to help is to listen and provide the choices you need. Our years of experience will help to guide you in deciding your choices and needs. Whether you have questions regarding- prearranging your funeral- cremation- cemetery requirements- Veteran’s benefits- social security benefits- and Medicaid, we are always available to discuss those important issues with you.
We can arrange a convenient appointment either at your home or in our office. We can explain the decisions which are necessary parts of funeral arrangements. We take a great sense of pride in providing the special services you want for your loved ones. During this very sensitive time we at French Funeral Home Inc. feel it is our responsibility to bring comfort to the people we serve when they need it the most.
Helpful preplanning links:
-A Consumers Guide to Arranging a Funeral
http:/www.nysfda.org/guide.htm
-Before Prepaying Your Funeral, Know Your Rights
http:/www.nysfda.org/rights.htm
-Personal and Financial Affairs Checklist for End-of-Life Planning
http:/www.nysfda.org/checklist.htm
-Pre-Plan Consumer Information Brochure
http:/www.nysfda.org/people.htm
-SSI/Medicaid Information
http:/www.nysfda.org/ssimed.htm