To help relieve their families of some of these decisions, an increasing number of people are planning their own funerals, designating their funeral preferences, and sometimes even paying for them in advance. They see funeral planning as an extension of will and estate planning.

Planning
Thinking ahead can help you make informed and thoughtful decisions about funeral arrangements. It allows you to choose the specific items you want and need and compare the prices offered by several funeral providers. It also spares your survivors the stress of making these decisions under the pressure of time and strong emotions.

You can make arrangements directly with a funeral establishment or through a funeral planning or memorial society - a nonprofit organization that provides information about funerals and disposition but doesn't offer funeral services. If you choose to contact such a group, recognize that while some funeral homes may include the word "society" in their names, they are not nonprofit organizations.

One other important consideration when planning a funeral pre-need is where the remains will be buried, entombed or scattered. In the short time between the death and burial of a loved one, many family members find themselves rushing to buy a cemetery plot or grave - often without careful thought or a personal visit to the site. That's why it's in the family's best interest to buy cemetery plots before you need them.

We put your preferences in writing, give copies to family members and your attorney, and keep a copy in our establishment. Don't designate your preferences in your will, because a will often is not found or read until after the funeral. And avoid putting the only copy of your preferences in a safe deposit box. That's because your family may have to make arrangements on a weekend or holiday, before the box can be opened.

Prepaying
Millions of Americans have entered into contracts to prearrange their funerals and prepay some or all of the expenses involved. Laws of individual states govern the prepayment of funeral goods and services; various states have laws to help ensure that these advance payments are available to pay for the funeral products and services when they're needed.

If you're thinking about prepaying for funeral goods and services, it's important to consider these issues before putting down any money:

• What are you are paying for? Are you buying only merchandise, like a casket and vault, or are you purchasing funeral services as well?
• Are you protected if the firm you dealt with goes out of business?
• Can you cancel the contract and get a full refund if you change your mind?

Be sure to tell your family about the plans you've made; let them know where the documents are filed. If your family isn't aware that you've made plans, your wishes may not be carried out. And if family members don't know that you've prepaid the funeral costs, they could end up paying for the same arrangements.

Please contact us if you have questions regarding

• prearrangement of the entire service
• cemetery requirements
• veterans benefits     
• social security benefits
• how to handle an out-of-town death

  Transferring your Arrangements

  Finally, an important advantage to preplanning is that your decisions can be updated or changed at any time you wish. Our funding plans are transferable, should you decide to move later in life.

  You have the legal right to transfer your pre-arrangements to another funeral home.  We will be able to coordinate the transfer by making contact with the other funeral home on your behalf. We will process all the necessary legal paperwork. There is no charge for this service.

If you would like to contact us regarding your arrangements, please fill out as much information as you feel comfortable with on our PRE-PLANNING  form.

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