Pre-Planning is a term used to describe the process of making arrangements for your own funeral or the funeral of a loved one before the need arises. It is simply a decision-making process in which your needs and desires are recorded and maintained by the funeral home... then specifically executed upon death.
Some people wrongly believe that pre-planning a funeral also means pre-funding one. While you will need to consider the various options for funding your funeral plan, many families simply feel it is important just to make their wishes known to their loved ones. By completing the Funeral Pre-Planning process, family members are relieved of making many important decisions during a time of stress and grief.
Things to Know About Funeral Pre-Planning
Every year, milliions of Americans pre-plan their funerals.
Experts estimate that by the year 2010 more than half of all funerals in the United States will be pre-arranged. That is already the case at Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home. Our own research also concludes that baby boomers are most likely to pre-plan for either themselves or an aging relative, with women pre-planning their funeral in greater numbers than their male counterparts.
Neither age nor income level should be a barrier to funeral pre-planning.
Many options are available to accommodate conscientious individuals of all ages and means. As long as you are of sound mind, you are a candidate for pre-planning or can give the gift of pre-planning to a loved one. Many responsible parents are now choosing to purchase pre-need insurance for their children at a young age, well in advance of anticipated use, to ensure that expenses are covered no matter when the need may arise.
Pre-Planning makes good sense and is an economically sound decision.
Pre-Planning your funeral with Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home gives you the opportunity to make important choices in a pleasant environment, free from the usual urgencies created when a death occurs. It gives you time to think about certain aspects of the service, and makes sure your preferences for the type of funeral service you desire are fulfilled. Further, pre-planning may also provide IRS tax benefits or qualify you for certain allowances or programs under Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Please consult your financial professional for specific advice.
Two Steps to Funeral Pre-Planning
Step #1: Document Your Wishes
It is important that your wishes be documented to avoid any confusion or disagreement among family members at the time of your death. To get started, you will need to gather information about your choices. You can visit us at Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home to pick up the materials, or we can mail information that will help you become familiar with some of your options.
We then suggest a planning session where you can ask questions, select funeral merchandise, and finalize your plans. We will also maintain copies of important documents that will be needed at the time of death. To get started, you can download our free literature, request literature by mail, or simply phone or stop by for a visit at your convenience.
Step #2: Evaluate Your Funding Options
Although payment at the time you create your funeral plan is not required, it is a good idea for you to make arrangements to pay for your funeral in advance. Many funding options are available, including pre-need funeral insurance, life insurance policies, bank and funeral trusts, and annuities.
Your best course of action would be to discuss your particular wishes with us. With privacy and confidentiality always in mind, we can help you decide which funding option best suits your unique circumstances. To learn more about pre-funding options, visit our Pre-Funding Options page or contact us for complete information.
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