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When it's important, we plan for it ahead of time. From college funds to weddings and home purchases, we are accustomed to putting money away for the pivotal and inevitable milestones in life. Setting aside money for your funeral is no different.
More and more people are pre-planning their funerals to save loved ones the stress of having to do it during such an emotional time. And when you make your own arrangements, it can also save money because you can specify which type of service you want and lock in today's prices.
But not all pre-paid funeral plans make sense financially, and regulations on prepaid funeral plans can vary by state and province. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons—what works, what doesn’t and what questions you need to ask to ensure you find the right plan for you.
In this article, you will learn about:
“It is very important, if at all possible to pre-plan and prepay for your funeral. This ensures that you are getting what you specifically want, and it makes it so much easier for the family to deal with the emotional side of grieving when funeral arrangements have already been taken care of.
—GARLAND DIEHL, WAYNESBORO, VAIt can be lot of money, but planning and paying for your funeral or cremation in advance can ease your family’s burden in so many ways.
A prepaid funeral plan allows you to outline your funeral or cremation, choose the products and services you'd like to include, specify the details, and then pay for the arrangements over time in installments that fit your budget. When choosing a prepaid funeral plan, it’s important to understand the different types to determine which is best for you and your family.
Prepaid funeral plans and final expense insurance both provide a way to plan ahead for the cost of your funeral. The difference is in the details.
Some people want not only to pay for their funeral or cremation in advance but also to pick the casket, cremation memorial, type of celebration, kinds of flowers and more. If that's you, then a prepaid funeral plan makes sense. It includes your detailed final wishes and the funds—paid right to the funeral home. Plus, it guards against inflation.
However, if you're less inclined to choose the specifics but want to know your family won’t face the financial burden of end-of-life expenses, final expense insurance may be the best choice. It pays a flat amount to your beneficiary for funeral and burial costs, as well as other expenses. The beneficiary decides how the money is spent, but there's no protection against inflation, so it's often recommended that you purchase a bigger benefit than the current funeral plan costs. It doesn't pay out immediately, though, and your family may have to handle funeral expenses out of pocket and wait for the policy to pay back later.
Our chart breaks it down.
Final expense insurance (aka burial insurance or funeral insurance) | Prepaid funeral plan | |
---|---|---|
Amount | Typically $5,000-$25,000 | You decide. The average funeral in 2019 was around $9,000, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, but can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. |
Benefit paid to | Your beneficiary (a person you designate) | The funeral home or cremation provider of your choice |
Benefit used for | Whatever your beneficiary chooses, typically funeral arrangements and medical bills | Goods and services you purchased ahead of time from your funeral home |
Requirements to qualify | Health questions, but no medical exam | None |
Final expenses are covered at the time of need | No | Yes |
Who makes the arrangements | Your beneficiary must choose the type of funeral service, casket or urn, etc. during a very difficult time. | You prearrange with the funeral home all the details for your funeral or cremation; loved ones do not have to plan anything. |
When you purchase a prepaid funeral plan, you choose the type of service you want, down to the smallest detail, and lock in today's prices on many items. Once you've made decisions such as burial or cremation, casket or urn, traditional service or celebration of life and sign a contract, your money is set aside with a third party, either via an insurance policy or in a trust account. That ensures your monthly payments are in one of the following safe places:
Pre-need insurance policy: you pay premiums for a set amount of time—usually three to 10 years. The policy is in effect as long as your payments are up to date, and the benefit is paid directly to the funeral home. Dignity Memorial® providers offer pre-need insurance through American Memorial Life Insurance, which has an Excellent rating from AM Best.
Revocable trust: money (a lump sum or payments) for funeral expenses is placed into a trust with a trustee or beneficiary that you can change. The trust can be cashed out or canceled whenever you'd like. The benefit is paid directly to the funeral home.
Irrevocable trust: money (a lump sum or payments) for funeral expenses is placed into a trust that cannot be canceled. The trust has no cash value, and the money in the trust cannot be removed. Changes to the trustee or beneficiary or dissolution of the trust cannot take place without the permission of the trustee. Families usually designate a trust as irrevocable only as a state requirement for Medicare or Medicaid assistance. The benefit is paid directly to the funeral home.
Read more about prepaid funeral plans.
When planning a funeral or memorial service, there are literally hundreds of details to consider and decisions to be made. Like any funeral or cremation, a prepaid plan can be personalized just for you.
When you sit down with a planning professional, he or she will first get to know you and your cultural and religious traditions, family customs and how you would like to be remembered. Then he or she will explain your full range of options, including the goods and services typically included in a funeral or cremation, as well as specialty items like keepsakes, remembrance jewelry, cemetery or cremation property, or even burial in an underwater reef.
Services of a funeral director and funeral home staff. In addition to providing guidance and family care during planning and the day of the funeral, the funeral director and supporting staff are often on call around the clock. They make sure every detail is expertly handled, from scheduling flowers, clergy, speakers, music or catering, to obtaining permits and death certificate copies and more.
Transportation to the funeral home and care of loved one. When a loved one dies, the funeral home will transport that person from home or a medical facility to the funeral home and then prepare the loved one's body for burial or cremation. Leading funeral homes follow strict custody procedures to ensure that there are no mistakes or mix-ups.
Casket or cremation container. When choosing traditional burial or a traditional service prior to cremation, selecting a casket is an important step. Caskets are typically offered in wood or metal and can vary in quality and price. A cremation container is required by law and can take the form of an all-wood casket or a lower-price cardboard container.
Cremation services and a container. Simple cremations come with a standard plastic container. You may also choose a sumptuous wooden box, eco-friendly scattering tube or classic urn to hold the cremated remains. These containers vary in price and can be made of wood, bronze, metal, glass or another material.
Venue for the funeral and/or reception. Many funeral homes have beautiful chapels and modern reception areas designed especially for memorials. Some have spacious patios for outdoor gatherings or lawns for tented events.
Catering. Food and drink can be as simple as a commemorative brunch of tea and pastries, as unique as serving a loved one’s secret recipe, or as elaborate as a full six-course meal.
Transportation to the cemetery. A procession to the cemetery is part of some services. In those cases, a hearse may be needed as well as transportation for the family.
Burial vault. For in-ground casket burial, many cemeteries require a vault, or outer burial container, into which the casket is placed. The vault helps maintain the integrity of the cemetery grounds. When burying an urn, a smaller urn vault may be purchased and is required by many cemeteries.
Other items such as flowers, stationery, decor, keepsakes for family and mementos for friends may be planned and included in prepaid costs.
Why you Should Have a Memorial and How to Choose the Right OneLosing a loved one is never easy. It is a time of immense emotional pain and grief. During this period, it is important to find ways to honor and remember the person who has passed away. One way to do this is by creating a memorial in their honor. In this blog post, we will explore why you should have a memorial and how to choose the right one.Why Have a Memorial?A memorial is a physical reminder of the person who has passed away. It provides a place for loved ones to gather and pay their respects, and it can serve as a symbol of the person's life and legacy. Here are some additional reasons why you should consider creating a memorial:Provides Comfort: Having a memorial can provide comfort to family and friends who are grieving. It gives them a physical place to visit and remember their loved ones.Honors the Person's Life:A memorial is a way to honor the person's life and legacy. It can be personalized to reflect their personality, interests and achievements.Creates a Lasting Tribute: A memorial is a lasting tribute to the person who has passed away. It ensures that their memory will live on for generations to come.Choosing the Right MemorialWhen it comes to choosing the right memorial, there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:Consider the Person's Wishes: If the person who has passed away expressed any wishes regarding their memorial, be sure to take them into consideration. This can include things like their preferred location, type of memorial and any specific design elements.Choose the Type of Memorial: There are many different types of memorials to choose from, including headstones, plaques, benches and statues. Consider what type of memorial would best reflect the person's personality and interests.Personalize the Memorial: Personalizing the memorial can make it more meaningful and reflective of the person's life. Consider adding their name, birth and death dates, a favorite quote or an image that represents their personality or interests.At Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, we offer a wide range of memorial options to help you honor your loved one. From traditional headstones and mausoleums to cremation memorials and garden benches in a beautiful setting at 6100 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama. We have something to fit every need and budget. Our experienced staff can help guide you through the process of choosing the right memorial and personalizing it to reflect your loved one's life and legacy.In conclusion, creating a memorial is a meaningful way to honor and remember a loved one who has passed away. By taking the time to choose the right memorial and personalizing it to reflect the person's life, you can create a lasting tribute that will provide comfort and solace to family and friends for generations to come. At Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, we are here to help you through this difficult time and guide you through the process of creating a beautiful and meaningful memorial for your loved one. We offer services such as pre-need planning, ground burial, cremation burial, and memorial and monuments.Contact Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery's friendly staff today at 251-661-1333 to learn more about our services how we can help you.
The coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed how we live, but perhaps even more heartbreaking, how we are able to grieve. Social distancing has prevented holding funerals or otherwise gathering to mourn the loss of our loved ones, and even a comforting touch or hug isnt safe.Other rituals have been disrupted as well. Jewish and Muslim religions state that there must be a disposition of a persons remains within 24 hours after death, but in many places this is not possible; there are delays as funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories struggle to keep up with the high number of COVD-19 deaths.We mourn the loss of loved ones, and also our many ways of saying goodbye: the Jewish tradition of sitting shiva, the week-long period in which friends and family visit those in mourning to offer condolences and provide comfort that dates back to biblical times; the Irish wake, simultaneously joyful and sad, when people share songs, drinks, and stories about the departed; the Islamic ritual washing of the deceaseds body; and countless others.Not being able to perform rituals [is] devastating for people, said psychologist Noe Kasali, director of the Bethesda Counseling Center. It prolongs their suffering.One family member expressed how unsettling the inability to gather in mourning his fathers passing is: It feels unreal, like it didnt happen.In response, funeral providers, communities, and families are finding alternative ways to be together to honor loved ones who have died.Technology is playing a big part. Mourners are gathering virtually via Zoom and Skype, the free video/audio communications platforms. Families are filming funerals live on Facebook, which allows not only loved ones to take part virtually, but also opens the experience to condolences from many in the shared experience of isolation. Some funeral homes are livestreaming services, so friends and family far away can participate.In a first-person story on cheddar.com, Max Godnick described a funeral held on Zoom for his grandmother, who passed away after complications from COVID-19, as the most meaningful, spiritual, intimate, and inspiring funeral Ive ever been to. The moment encapsulated the best of social media playing out in real-time. I was provided a window into my familys global network of love and support separated by distance but brought together by a single purpose and Zoom grid view.Just like so many other families around the world right now, mine learned just how hard it is to lose a loved one without being able to see them, be with them, or say goodbye in their final days, Godnick said.Others are creating new ways of honoring those theyve lost. In County Kerry, Ireland, neighbors lined the mile-long road from the church to the graveyard to say goodbye to their friend Betty Ryan, careful to maintain safe distance between one another. A beautiful tribute and great example of community spirit, one observer said.Closer to home, in Louisville, KY, a family held a drive-by funeral procession. One by one, cars stopped in front of the home of John Renn Jr. and tossed flowers, held signs at the car windows, and smiled and waved at the family.What a time were living in right now, said Renns nephew, Rick Obst. Everybody needs a hug, but throwing tragedy on top of it? These kinds of celebrations have to be done and can be done. Were trying to set an example, hopefully, of how we can do this the best way and still stay safe from the coronavirus.Many families who may have been debating whether to choose burial or cremation for a loved one are now choosing cremation already the choice of more than half in the US. This gives the option of scheduling a memorial service at a later date; also, in a tightened economy, cost has become a bigger consideration, since cremation is about one-third the price of burial.Its important to find connection in whatever ways you can, said Megan Devine, a therapist, grief advocate, and author. Even starting a text thread with close friends to talk about the person youve lost can be helpful.Other alternative mourning rituals:Talk to people. Reach out to your social support network family and friends through phone calls, emails, and video platforms. While physically separated, staying connected, talking and sharing stories about your loved one, can help alleviate the feeling of being alone in your grief.Create and express. There are so many ways to pay a personal tribute to your loved one, and art is both healing and a release. Write about or to them, or journal about how youre feeling. Cook their favorite meal. Plant a tree or flowers in their memory. Read their favorite book, listen to their favorite music, or watch their favorite movie. On social media, you can create a Facebook or Instagram page dedicated to them, and invite others to contribute or share their memories as well. Do an art or music project that youll be able to share with loved ones when youre together.Plan a memorial service for later. In a time of uncertainty, it can be deeply healing to make plans for what youll do in the future, when youll again be surrounded by family and friends who will join you in honoring this special person. Rather than thinking of a tribute as being canceled, you can use this extra time to plan something special.Ask for help. If youre struggling, there are grief resources you can go to for support. The Dougy Center, Grief.com and Grief Resource Network offer groups and programs; you can also subscribe to the Neptune Societys free bereavement series, 12 Weeks of Peace.Most important, dont deny your grief. Even if, in the time following your loved ones death, you cant mourn and celebrate their life in the way you wish, acknowledge your feelings of loss and sadness. In the midst of this larger crisis, when you may be overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, its not healthy to minimize or dismiss how this personal loss is affecting you. Its okay to cry. We all grieve in different ways, so be true to your own feelings, and ask for the emotional support you need.______________________________________________________________________________________________The Neptune Society is the nations oldest and largest provider of affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan cremation services in advance, we are always available to assist you and your family.Call 1-800-NEPTUNE (800-637-8863) today or contact us online to learn more.
When you experience a loss, people from all periods of your life will be there to help. Whether its old friends, family friends, or anybody else you didnt quite expect, youll want to write them a Thank you note for their assistance. The same goes for those that you knew would be there, like friends that are still around, or other family members. But, it goes without saying, if youve never written a note like this before, it can be tough to put your words to paper. Neptune Society is here to help you in your time of need by providing you with some tips on what to include in a sympathy thank you note, or funeral thank you card. What To Include In A Sympathy Or Funeral Thank You Card Writing a sympathy thank you note, or a funeral thank you card, may be easier than you think. The card and messaging doesnt have to be long its more ideal that its concise. Short and to the point is always more effective than long thank you notes. With all that youre currently experiencing, the last thing you should need to worry about is writing the perfect thank you card for someone whos assisted in the funeral of a loved one. Whats more important is to make this note or card personal. There are a number of reasons you may want to thank someone for help at a funeral. Whether this person provided food for the guests, sent flowers, or was simply there for you, its best to personalize the message accordingly. Not every card need to be personalized. Since most of the cards will be for simply attending the funeral or memorial serve, its fine to include similar phrases for each one. View some of the ideas below, and personalize where applicable. Thank you for attending (I, We) appreciate you attending (loved ones) funeral. Thank you for taking the time to come to (loved ones) funeral. It meant a lot to (us, me) to see you at (loved ones) funeral Thank you for sharing the celebration of (loved ones) life with (me, us). Follow-up (I, we) appreciate the effort you took in traveling such a distance to attend the funeral. The stories and memories you shared about (loved one) were one-of-a-kind. Your presence and words were a comfort for (me, the family) in this time. Your stories about (loved one) were special to us. You lifted our spirits with your words about (loved one). It meant a lot to us to hear how (loved one) touched the lives of others. You meant so much to (loved one) and I can tell (he/she/they) meant a lot to you. Celebrating the life of (loved one) would not have been completed without you. Closing line Your presence meant the world to (me/the family). Your support made a huge difference during this difficult time. Thank you for your words of support. Your kindness/support means more than words can possibly express. (I, the family) will always remember your kindness. You were a true friend to (loved one) and will always be an important part of the family. Now that youve got a few ideas about what to write in your thank you note, you can choose the best way to express your gratitude in just a few lines. Remember, the people on your list for thank you notes are there for a reason. They supported you and your family during a tough time, and they care. Before you go, check out some more general tips on writing your thank you notes.Dont Worry If Time Has Passed Since The Funeral: While its best to get your notes in the mail as soon as possible, people will totally understand if it takes a couple of months. Ask For Help If You Need It: After the funeral, there may be more people to thank than you initially thought. Dont be afraid to ask friends or family members for help. Include Other Family Members In The Signature: If youre sending a thank you note on behalf of the family, signing the card as The family of (loved one) allows the sender to express the gratitude of the whole family. If youre the only one whos been assisted, just sign your own name. Break Up Your List to Make it Manageable: Tackling the entire list at once can be overwhelming. Breaking the work up into manageable chunks or pieces can make it easier to get started, and get it done. Include Your Full Name And The Name Of Your Loved One In The Letter: Be sure to include your last name when thanking those who arent a close friend (for example, the office or workplace of your loved one). This is especially important if youre a bit late on sending out your acknowledgements. Short but Meaningful is the Goal: Creating a simple 1-3 sentence thank you note is the main goal here, and you want to make sure it comes from the heart. Additionally, if you choose to print your notes as opposed to hand-writing them, make sure to include a bit of personalization with a brief note and a signature. Writing A Sympathy Note Doesnt Have To Be Hard Youve dealt with enough turmoil in the past couple of months if youve recently experienced the death of a loved one. This blog post is intended to assist those that are writing a sympathy note for attendance of a funeral and have never done it before. At Neptune Society, we aim to be as helpful as possible, in all aspects, when you experience the death of a loved one. We hope this blog post was of assistance to you in your time of need. ______________________________________________________________________________________________The Neptune Society is the nations oldest and largest provider of affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan cremation services in advance, we are always available to assist you and your family.Call 1-800-NEPTUNE (800-637-8863) today or contact us online to learn more.