"pre-paid" funeral services

[miclason]

Just wanted to ask if any of you has thought of this...Dad passed away last week. Luckily, they had purchased a plot for 5 in the cementery about 10 years ago and that was already paid for. My sister and I had contracted pre-paid funeral services (which we are still paying for, we contracted for 3 funeral services, including transportation within the city, 1 night wake, casket and burial, complete with paperwork to be done with the municipality)...since my parents weren't living in the city anymore, we had to pay for the transportation and we had to embalm him and pay for 1 additional night's wake so we could wait for my siblings that live in the US (flights were full due the season!)...it cost us around $1200, but I'd hate to think of what we would have paid if we hadn't had these arrangements made beforehand...it may sound creepy, but, you never know when you are going, so I have to ask: are you ready?? Have you set money aside for this?

[terry1156]

I am very sorry to hear about your dad. You do bring up a very important point. Death is a subject that none of us really wants to think about and it can be awkward talking to others about preparation for it. I think most people rely on life insurance, but even with that, a little planning can go a long way to saving money and having the service you want. I'm sure trying to get everything arranged at the last minute means that things don't get done the way you want most of the time.

I bet most people see this event as an emergency in regards to money without preparing for it. But it is something you can prepare for.

I must admit that I haven't prepared for it and I'm glad you wrote this thread. Time for me to get that all in order so I don't leave it to someone else to have to deal with.

[amomof4]

I don't need a pre-paid plan. I'm going to just be cremated and buried in the backyard, may be in the flower bed. I don't want to be embalmed, no viewing, and no formal services.

[akaivyleaf]

amomof4, If you live in the United States, you won't be buried in your backyard- legally anyway. It is illegal to dispose of cremains (ashes) in this manner but people do it. Its generally no problem, unless you have a sewer problem or a septic tank problem or some other problem that causes someone to dig up your back yard. If traces of human remains are found, hefty fines are levied or worse accusations are made which can bring on serious heartache. Might wanna consider fertilizing your favorite rose bush instead in equal portions throughout several years, or just your favorite house plant....

Have you already paid for your cremaition? There will be a charge for this service and you can pay for it now. You also have to specify your wishes for "direct cremation" at the time of your death or you will be sent to a morgue and on to a funeral home first (where they might embalm you) prior to your wish for cremation to be carried out.

I know these things, I'm a mortician. It is generally the mortuary's policy to embalm the dead first thing-even prior to the family arriving at the mortuary, just as a matter of hygiene and public safety. If this happens, you generally will be charged for the embalming. Now if the crematorium is busy, you might be embalmed again for safety sake but you won't be charged.

I'm with you though, amomof4, cremate me QUICKLY and dispose of my ashes any legal way.

As far as pre-paying funerals. It is a morbid thought. But it is a very good way of locking in todays prices for an event 30.40, 50 years down the line. Inflation touches everything.... so from an investment point of view, its a good thing. Plus it saves the family so much extra grief. If you've already picked out the "Style" of casket you want, then whatever equivalent style the company has evolved to, you're entitled to. No need to look at a price tag. Just don't ever sign a pre-need contract which has you paying for 5 or 10 years. Plan a funeral as if you died TODAY and finance the plan for under 3 years if possible. Don't let someone figure in appreciating of a "Sample" rate 5 years from now. This is for your benefit and funeral homes don't press them on customers like they used to, as they most certainly aren't the biggest money getters in the place. Also, if the funeral home hasn't been in the community for 20+ years, don't get your plan there. Yes Funeral homes go out of business and if this happens your preneed and prepaid funeral went out of business too. Stick with a "pillar in the community"

[amomof4]

My neighbor was legally able to bury a coffin in their backyard. The city approved it! It sure beats sitting on the mantel like my uncle is doing at my cousin's house.

[jhd815]

I have to agree with akaivyleaf regarding selection of a funeral home. Select one that has been in business within your community for a lengthy period of time. Talk to friends or neighbors (if you won't scare them) and find out if any of them have prepaid funerals and ask them about their experience. I work for the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdioces of Chicago, so I'm at the "final" end of the spectrum.

Pre-paid funerals are good, but there are scammers out there just like in any business.

You may also want to consider purchasing graves or crypts ahead of time, since these costs tend to increase year by year. Many cemeteries, ours included, also sell packages that include the cost of the grave, the burial fee, the concrete outer container, the headstone, and headstone setting fee. We also allow people to pay over time with low interest-free payments.

However, ask about the cemeteries return or refund policy on your purchase, since your plans or location could change and you may need what you purchased ahead of time.

I'd also ask the funeral home the same thing as far as the prepaid services are concerned. Are they refundable? transferable?

[jhd815]

However, ask about the cemeteries return or refund policy on your purchase, since your plans or location could change and you may need what you purchased ahead of time.

OOPs - meant to say "you many NOT need what you purchased ahead of time".

It's early in the morning, I should still be sleeping, lol.

[amomof4]

My sincere, humble opinion on pre-paid funeral services is that you are better off purchasing a term lifer insurance policy. We are a very mobile society, and the chances are great that most of us will have moved to a different area by the time we need the service.

[2moretrees]

My mother always said "You better damn well give me those flowers before I die. I want to enjoy them!" and I believe the same. It's better to spend the money with the people you love and go for the bare minimum with the funeral. My 2 cents.