When making funeral pre-arrangements, it's important to inform loved ones of this, and doing so makes the whole process easier on them—not just in terms of cost, but knowing exactly what you wanted. What information should be passed on?
Planning or Arranging
You need to specify the extent of your pre-arrangements. Some choose to plan their funeral in nothing more than a theoretical sense, leaving wishes with regards to the venue (church, funeral home, a business with the capacity to host, or a private home) and the order of service. However, many funeral pre-arrangements extend to paying for the service ahead of time.
Inclusions
Prepayment for a funeral can be made in a lump sum or in installments. Although the value of such a plan can vary, there are some core items that should be included. These include the handling of your remains (transportation to the funeral home, embalming if requested) as well as the ultimate disbursement of remains (whether via burial or cremation). The vessel for disbursement (coffin or casket) should also be included. A plan that only covers these core items may be perfectly sufficient for your needs, and you can be reassured that the essentials have been covered. Other aspects of a funeral typically provided by a third party may also be included in a prepayment plan—such as flowers, and even catering. The inclusion of these items will raise the cost of your plan, but it can be more cost effective to pay for these ahead of time.
Contingency
Before entering into such a plan with your chosen provider, it's necessary to ask what happens if the provider should no longer be in business by the time their services are required. This isn't a common occurrence, yet you must know their contingency plan for your own peace of mind. It's likely that their customer details and allowances will simply be handled by another provider. However, this is useful information to know so you can keep your loved ones informed.
Contact Person
When informing loved ones, you may wish to nominate a contact person to deal with the funeral provider and make the required arrangements. This simplifies what will undoubtedly be a very complicated time. Your nominated contact person can be your next of kin but doesn't have to be. Make sure the person in question is aware of what will be asked of them and has consented to it. Once confirmed, you can provide their details to your funeral provider.
By covering your bases and knowing that the core essential items for your funeral have been financially provided for, you'll know that your funeral pre-arrangements will meet your needs. But make sure you keep your loved ones updated. For more information on funeral pre-arrangements, contact a professional near you.
Share12 June 2023
When my father passed away a year ago, my mother didn't have any problems with the funeral or burial. My father planned his funeral in advance. He didn't want to burden my mom with any problems during her time of grieving. That hit me. I realized that I didn't have any plans for my own future, which would make it even harder on my wife and kids. So, I contacted a funeral home online and requested information about burial services. The funeral home provided me with many options that I could afford to pay over time or upfront. My wife also helped select burial plots for us because we didn't want to be separated — even after death. I encourage you to read through my blog. It offers great tips and advice on how to plan for your own future. Don't wait. You never know what life holds for you.