Preplanning a funeral offers family members the opportunity to leave nothing to chance and provides peace of mind in knowing that the funeral truly reflects the unique life of every individual. Today, people are increasingly choosing to preplan their own or a loved one’s funeral as an alternative to having others make the arrangements for you. To ensure that you have all the necessary information to plan accordingly, it is important to speak with experienced professionals and discuss any questions or issues you may have. In this way, you know that your wishes will be carried out and your family will not have to make funeral arrangements during an emotionally difficult time. Some rights and protections when preplanning a funeral are:
· A price list of goods and services before making your selections
· A written statement listing what you have purchased
· A written funeral contract explaining your rights and obligations
· Awareness that prepaying for your funeral can take many forms such as paying the funeral home directly, buying a dedicated life insurance policy or establishing an account specifically for that purpose.
· Additional financial assistance if you are a veteran
If your wishes are unknown regarding an open vs. closed casket, burial or cremation and how much to spend on the arrangements, the family may experience stress and unhappiness. Knowing beforehand what needs to be done can avoid any confusion or disagreements. Planning ahead enables you to make the financial arrangements to cover all the funeral expenses. Families benefit emotionally from a funeral that honors their deceased loved ones properly by complying with their wishes.
If you have specific preferences as to what you want at your funeral, you can express it in a funeral plan. Being dependent on others to provide the kind of funeral you want may not be the best idea, especially if your loved ones don’t have enough time to adequately do the planning. Providing for your own funeral arrangements is a thoughtful and caring thing to do for your family to ease their burden after your death. You never want to force your family to guess what your wishes are and make potentially expensive financial decisions while grieving your loss.
Planning or pre-funding a funeral in advance is an important part of estate planning and can impact applications for SSI and Medicaid benefits. Polchinski Memorials is ready to assist you in making the most appropriate decisions for your particular circumstances. Polchinski Memorials has been in business for several decades and will give you the necessary and valuable advice and guidance for making this important decision. Let us help you make the right choices. Please call us for more information at 914-984-4198 or 203-413-1345. You can also email us at info@www.polchinskimemorials.com.
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