WHY PLAN AHEAD?
Planning Ahead Offers Peace of Mind to You Today & to Your Family Tomorrow
Most of us prepare for what is possible, but seldom for the inevitable. Today, more and more people are arranging their final wishes in advance of death. Pre-arranged and/or pre-funded funeral, cremation and cemetery arrangements considerably ease a family’s burden when death occurs. It can also play an integral part in financial planning.
There are many reasons to pre-arrange final wishes:
- To make sure an individual’s wishes are represented after their death.
- To protect family members and loved ones from having to make difficult decisions during an emotional time.
- To simplify the financial responsibilities associated with paying final expenses and by locking in today’s cost and protecting against future inflationary costs.
What is involved with pre-arranging final wishes?
Pre-planning final wishes is an effective way to make sure that a family member’s wishes will be represented after they die. We will sit down with them (and family and friends, if desired) to discuss all the options available and help them decide with what choices they feel most comfortable. Our pre-planning experts will meet with you at one of our funeral home locations, or at your own home if that is more convenient.
Costs can be discussed, or the planning can simply be about what types of services the individual wants.
When pre-arranging final wishes, individuals consider many facets:
- Traditional burial or cremation services
- What type of visitation (viewing, wake or reception)
- Where will services be held (funeral home, place of worship, cemetery)
- Special considerations like an eco-friendly (“green”) burial
- Religious/spiritual ceremony vs. secular gathering
- Specific music to be used
- Specific scripture/spiritual readings to be used
- Flowers preference; donation requests in lieu of flowers; memorial contributions
- Any unique and specific desires of the individual or family to personalize a service
Once all the pre-arrangements have been made, we will keep copies of all the decisions on file at our funeral home.
We Offer Inflation-Proof & Price-Guaranteed Pre-Funded Plans Through Physicians Mutual
What Does it Cost to Pre-Arrange A Funeral?
Individuals and families can pre-arrange final wishes at no cost to them. The arrangements will be available once death has occurred. But many individuals wish to pre-fund their final wishes now to lock in the cost, and so that the burden and responsibility of paying for the final wishes does not fall to someone else.
For individuals who elect to pre-fund their final wishes, they have different options from which to choose. They typically involve the purchase of a pre-need insurance policy or trust today, which will be cashed in at the time of death. The policy or trust is designed to increase in value over time to keep pace with any increases in funeral cost over that same period. Our inflation-proof and price-guaranteed pre-funded plans are offered through Physicians Mutual. Payment programs are also available.
Free Lunch & Some Valuable Information
Join our Pre-Planning Specialist for lunch in Athens and the surrounding counties and learn what pre-planning your final wishes can mean to you and your family. This small group setting will be relaxed, casual and very informative.
Click here to get more information about a Lunch & Learn event.
