What to Look For in a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan
Entrusted Legacy Law
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Mar 17, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
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Prepaying for your funeral is one way to ease the burden on
your family following your death and make sure your wishes are carried out. But
pre-paid funeral plans come with risks, so you need to exercise care when
purchasing a plan.
Funerals are expensive and can take a lot of effort to plan.
To help relieve your family of some of this expense and effort, you can pay for
your funeral in advance with a pre-paid funeral plan purchased through a
funeral home. In addition to making things easier for your family during a
difficult time, pre-paid funeral plans can also be a good way to spend down
money in order to qualify for Medicaid.
However, consumers lose money every year when funeral homes
go out of business before the need for the funeral arises. If the funeral home
mismanages your funds, there may be no way to recover them. In addition,
customers aren’t always entitled to refunds if they change their minds, and
some funeral homes sell policies that require additional payments or that can’t
be transferred if the customer moves.
If you decide to go ahead with a pre-paid funeral plan, the
following are things to consider:
- Shop
around. Prices among funeral homes can vary greatly, so it’s a good
idea to check with a few different ones before settling on the one you
want. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires all
funeral homes to supply customers with a general price list that details
prices for all possible goods or services. The rule also stipulates what
kinds of misrepresentations are prohibited and explains what items consumers
cannot be required to purchase, among other things.
- Make
sure you have a reputable funeral home. There have been cases of
unscrupulous funeral providers taking advantage of customers, so make sure
you choose a funeral home with a solid reputation.
- Read
the contract carefully. Before signing, it’s important to know what you’re
agreeing to. Can you cancel the plan and get a refund? Is the plan
transferrable if you move to another area? Are you paying just for
merchandise or for funeral services as well? If prices for funeral
merchandise and services rise, will your estate be responsible for paying
additional costs?
- Find
out where your money goes. The pre-paid plan should provide
information on what the funeral home will do with the money you pay them.
Some states have protections in place to make sure the money is
safeguarded, but other states offer no protections. Is the money put into
a trust account? What happens to the interest income? Is there a plan if
the funeral home goes out of business? What happens to any money left
over?
- Make
sure the plan won’t affect Medicaid benefits. If you’re buying the
policy as part of Medicaid Planning, you must purchase an irrevocable
plan, which means you can’t cancel or change it once it’s bought.
Once you’ve purchased a plan, be sure to tell your family
about the plan you’ve made and let them know where the documents are filed. If
your family isn’t aware that you’ve obtained a plan, then the plan is useless.
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These gatherings might include: A favorite location (a garden, beach, restaurant, or family home) instead of a funeral home Music the person loved rather than traditional hymns Slideshow tributes, memory tables, or guest memory books A more casual dress code Food and drinks that reflect the person's tastes or heritage Personalized ThemesModern services increasingly reflect a person's hobbies, career, or passions. Examples include military honors for veterans, motorcycle-themed processions for riders, or gatherings decorated around a favorite sports team, garden, or artistic pursuit.Cremation and Alternative OptionsCremation rates have risen steadily over the past few decades, offering families more flexibility. 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Understanding Pre-Planning: Benefits of Arranging Services in Advance
Talking about death isn't easy. It's a topic many families avoid until they're forced to confront it often in the middle of grief, when emotions are high and time feels short. But there's a growing shift toward a different approach: pre-planning. More families are choosing to arrange funeral or memorial services in advance, and for good reasons. Pre-planning isn't about dwelling on death it's about giving yourself and your loved ones peace of mind.Here's what pre-planning involves, and why so many people are choosing to do it.What Is Pre-Planning?Pre-planning is the process of making funeral or memorial arrangements before they're needed. This can be as simple as documenting your wishes the type of service, burial or cremation preference, music, readings or as comprehensive as pre-paying for the entire service at today's prices.Pre-planning can be done independently or with the guidance of a funeral home professional, who can walk you through all available options and help ensure nothing is overlooked.The Benefits of Planning Ahead1. Relieves the Emotional Burden on Your FamilyWhen a loved one passes away without any plans in place, grieving family members are suddenly faced with dozens of decisions often within just a day or two. What type of service should we have? Burial or cremation? What casket? What should the obituary say? These decisions, made under emotional stress, can be overwhelming and can even create tension between family members with differing opinions.Pre-planning removes this burden. Your family won't have to guess what you would have wanted they'll already know, because you told them.2. Ensures Your Wishes Are HonoredPre-planning gives you the opportunity to make your own choices about how you want to be remembered whether that's a traditional funeral, a celebration of life, a religious ceremony, or something entirely unique to you. You can specify details like: Burial vs. cremation Location and type of service Music, readings, or scripture Who you'd like to be involved (officiant, pallbearers, speakers) Special requests for flowers, charitable donations, or memorial gestures 3. Can Lock in Today's PricesFuneral costs tend to rise over time, just like most other expenses. Many pre-planning arrangements allow you to pay at current prices, potentially saving your family significant money in the future. Some funeral homes offer payment plans, making it easier to budget over time rather than facing a large expense all at once.4. Reduces Financial Stress on Loved OnesFunerals can be a significant unplanned expense often costing several thousand dollars. Without preparation, families may need to make quick financial decisions during an already difficult time, sometimes going into debt to cover costs. Pre-paid or pre-funded plans can prevent this, ensuring the financial responsibility doesn't fall unexpectedly on your family.5. Provides Clarity and Peace of MindThere is real comfort in knowing that your affairs are in order. Many people who pre-plan describe a sense of relief once the process is complete one less thing to worry about, and the confidence that their loved ones won't be left scrambling for answers.Common Misconceptions About Pre-Planning"It's morbid to think about." Most people who pre-plan say the process helped them feel more at peace, not less. It's an act of love and consideration for the people you'll leave behind."I'm too young to think about this." Unexpected events can happen at any age. Pre-planning isn't about assuming the worst thing, it's about being prepared, just as you might with life insurance or a will."It's too expensive." Pre-planning doesn't have to mean pre-paying in full. Many people start by simply documenting their wishes, with no cost involved. Payment plans and flexible options are often available if you do choose to get a pre-fund.How to Get Started Reflect on your wishes Consider your preferences for burial or cremation, type of service, and any specific requests. Talk to your family Let them know your intentions so there's no confusion later. Meet with a funeral home A funeral director can help you document your wishes formally and explain your options, including pre-funding if you're interested. Review periodically Life circumstances change. It's a good idea to revisit your plan every few years to ensure it still reflects your wishes. A Gift to Your FamilyAt its core, pre-planning is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give the people you love. It spares them from difficult decisions during a painful time, ensures your wishes are respected, and can ease the financial impact of final arrangements. If you're considering pre-planning, our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the process with no pressure, and at your own pace.
What to Bring to a Funeral Home Meeting
Meeting at a funeral home for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially in the days following the loss of a loved one. Knowing what to bring ahead of time can make the process smoother, reduce stress, and help your funeral director serve your family more efficiently. Below is a helpful guide to prepare for your meeting.1. Personal Identification DocumentsBring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport) for the person making funeral arrangements. This is typically needed to sign legal documents and authorize services.2. Information About the DeceasedFuneral homes need specific details to complete the death certificate and other paperwork. Try to have the following on hand: Full legal name (and any former names) Date and place of birth Social Security number Date and place of death Home address Marital status and spouse's name (if applicable) Highest level of education completed Occupation and employer (past or current) Parents' full names, including mother's maiden name Military service information, if applicable (DD-214 form is helpful) 3. Legal and Financial DocumentsIf available, bring these items to help streamline the process: The deceased's Social Security card Birth certificate Marriage certificate or divorce decree, if relevant Life insurance policies Any pre-arranged funeral contracts or pre-paid funeral plans Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214) for military honors or benefits Will or estate planning documents, if you have them and they're relevant to funeral wishes 4. Clothing and Personal ItemsIf you're planning a viewing or burial, you'll want to bring: An outfit for the deceased to be dressed in Undergarments and shoes, if desired Jewelry or personal items to be included (such as a wedding ring, glasses, or a favorite accessory) Special items for the casket, such as photos, letters, or mementos 5. Photos for Memorial DisplaysMany families like to create a photo collage, memory table, or video tribute. Bringing a selection of printed or digital photos from different stages of the person's life can help the funeral home create a meaningful tribute.6. Payment InformationAsk ahead of time what payment methods are accepted and whether a deposit is required. If you're using: Life insurance to cover costs, bring the policy details A pre-paid funeral plan, bring the contract Veteran's benefits, bring discharge paperwork 7. A List of QuestionsIt's easy to forget questions in an emotional moment. Consider writing down anything you want to ask in advance, such as: What are all the costs involved, and is anything itemized separately? What options do we have for services (burial, cremation, memorial, etc.)? How soon can services be scheduled? Can we personalize the service in specific ways? What paperwork will you handle, and what will we need to handle ourselves? 8. Support Bring Someone With YouWhile not a "document," bringing a trusted family member or friend can help you remember details, share decision-making, and provide emotional support during what can be a difficult meeting.Not every family will have every document readily available, and that's okay. Funeral homes are experienced in helping families gather missing information and can guide you through alternative documentation if needed. The most important thing to bring is simply yourself our team is here to help you every step of the way.
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