Pre-Planning

“An act of love, a tender and affectionate consideration for the needs of your family”.

The death of a loved one is clinically documented as one of the most difficult and stressful of life’s experiences.

Immediately following a death, there can be as many as 50 important decisions to be made in the planning of a meaningful funeral service. Therefore, a suitable funeral service should be planned long before the time of need when decisions can be made without extra complications caused by the psychological and emotional effects of grief.

What is a Pre-Arranged Funeral?

•     A written funeral plan filed with the funeral director
•     A practical way of determining and recording an individual’s wishes regarding funeral services in advance
•     It is not a difficult or complicated task
•     It is simply an opportunity to carefully plan your arrangements
•     It serves as a guide to family and friends
•     Any type of funeral, whether simple or elaborate, can be pre-arranged

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Why Pre-Arrange?

There are advantages! Most people plan for an orderly conclusion to life with a Will, adequate life insurance benefits and pension plans. The prearranged funeral is also an important part of your estate planning. Decisions can be made, with your own desires in mind, regarding the professional services required, the type of casket, suggestions for the funeral itself and preferences for earth burial, entombment or cremation. 

When you discuss a prearranged funeral with a funeral director, it is your chance to ask questions and get clear, concise answers. It is the time to be sure you fully understand what services are performed and why. This is also the time to determine what costs are involved. With this information in hand, intelligent, informed decisions can be made.  A red flag is when you are dealing with a planning counsellor who pressures you for a decision or just seems too concerned with money.

When a death occurs, a period of adjustment begins for family and friends. The prearranged funeral saves them from having to make important decisions pertaining to final arrangements during a time of emotional stress. It is a practical idea that makes sense.

What are the “Benefits” of Pre-Planning?

EMOTIONAL

Most people attain a sense of relief knowing that “everything” is taken care of. At the time of death, most decision-making will have been done thus leaving your family the essential and less complicated time to grieve together by focusing on memories rather than business.

PRACTICAL

Planning helps to ensure that your wishes are fulfilled. Unlike arrangements made once a death has occurred, with pre-planning you have the option of making future changes or adjustments if a decision is reconsidered. For those with little or no family, family who do not live locally, or family who travel, a pre-planned funeral can eliminate unnecessary delays at the time of death. For those who travel, pre-planning could once again save unnecessary delays at the point of death as well as unnecessary expenses.

FINANCIAL

Make decisions with a clear mind and without emotional stress and pressure. Exercising the option of prepayment can result in substantial saving as you receive inflation-proof protection. It is estimated that the cost of funerals is doubling approximately every 10 years. If prepaid at today’s cost, neither your family nor your estate will be affected when our prices change. Your cost is locked in.

Can’t I just include my funeral preferences in my Will?

No. Although an up-to-date Will is a vital part of estate planning, it is important to have your funeral preferences recorded separately with a funeral home. Often a Will is not even opened until after the funeral services have taken place.

My next column will address who should be considering a pre-planned funeral and the information that is asked of the planner.