Funeral Planning

We wish all seniors and caregivers a “Spirit of Life”
full of respect, dignity, love, and joy.

hands_on_casket

 

*Funeral Planning*

 

  

Funeral planning is something most of us will have to do at one point in our lives, but how do you do it? What do you really need?

 

The Federal Trade Commission

Funeral Rule and You

 

 

Note: There is a federal law that makes it easier for you to choose only those goods and services you want or need and to pay only for those you select, whether you are making arrangements preneed or at need.

The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal  Trade Commission:

  • requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the phone…
  • requires funeral directors to give you other information about their goods and services.

Many funeral providers offer various “packages” of commonly selected goods and services that make up a funeral.

Funeral Rules and You 

Note:    There is a federal law that makes it easier for you to choose only those goods and services you want or need and to pay only for those you select, whether you are making arrangements preneed or at need.

  

 The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal  Trade Commission:

  • requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the phone…

  • requires funeral directors to give you other information about their goods and services.

Note:  Many funeral providers offer various “packages” of commonly selected goods and services that make up a funeral.  You do not have to accept a package that may include items you do not want.

 

According to the Funeral Rule:

  • The funeral provider must state this right in writing on the general price list.

  • If state or local law requires you to buy any particular item, the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the specific law.

  • The funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere .

  • A funeral provider that offers cremations must make alternative containers available

 

The Funeral Rule allows funeral providers to charge a basic services fee that customers cannot decline to pay.

The basic services fee includes:

  • funeral planning

  • securing the necessary permits and copies of death certificates 

  • preparing the notices,

  • sheltering the remains

  • coordinating the arrangements with the cemetery, crematory or other third parties.

Note:  The fee does not include charges for optional services or merchandise.

 Charges for other services and merchandise are optional:

  • transporting the remains

  • embalming and other preparation

  • use of the funeral home for the viewing, ceremony or memorial service

  • use of equipment and staff for a graveside service

  • use of a hearse or limousine

  • a casket, outer burial container or alternate container 

  • cremation or interment

  •  

Cash advances. These are fees charged by the funeral home for goods and services it buys from outside vendors on your behalf:

  • flowers,

  • obituary notices,

  • pallbearers,

  • officiating clergy,

  • organists and soloists

* The Funeral Rule requires those who charge an extra fee to disclose that fact in writing, although it doesn’t require them to specify the amount of their markup.

* The Funeral Rule also requires funeral providers to tell you if there are refunds, discounts, or rebates from the supplier on any cash advance item.

Financing Funerals

There are a number of options for financing funerals, and when you pre-plan your funeral, you can take advantage of the best program for you.Options include:

  • preneed insurance policies
  • bank or funeral trusts,

  • life insurance, and annuities.

Paying for a Funeral

To beat the high cost of dying, more people are starting to consider preplanning and prepaying.When you prearrange, you have control of:

  • the decisions relating to your death–the disposition of your body,
  • the funeral or memorial services, what you want your obituary to say about your life
  • a reasonable budget which will ease the financial burden for your surviving members.

Preplanning is simply making arrangements ahead of time.Preneed means prepaying, and preneed programs are actively sold by mail, by telephone and in homes.

  • By pre-planning your funeral: you relieve your family of having to make important financial decisions during a period of great stress and grief.

  • Pre-planning, when done properly, can give you peace of mind because you know that your arrangements are ready and pre-funded.

  • By pre-planning your funeral, you can: make all the arrangements during a time of peace and not leave them to your family during their time of grief.

 

  

 

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