We express our love for our
families by preparing for tomorrow. It gives us a degree of
control over the future and allows meeting the needs of those
we love.
Estate Planning
Most people do plan ahead in this manner. The Will is the foundation
of estate planning. Consult with your attorney, accountant and
financial advisors in order to draft a Will that ensures the
distribution of your assets in the manner that you see fit.
A Power of Attorney for health care or Living Will may also
be part of your planning. It is a good idea to list all of your
assets and discuss these with family members. Real estate, insurance
policies, and financial accounts as well as personal possessions
(jewelry, automobiles, etc.) are all things that should be listed
in order to assist the executor of your estate. Finally, be
sure to update these documents on a regular basis as circumstances
change.
Planning for funeral
and burial
Most people do not plan ahead for the inevitable – the
event that dictates the need for estate planning in the first
place. Such planning is the first step in accepting death as
a natural part of life. Discussing the inevitability of our
own death benefits those we love by allowing them to accept
that “someday” it will happen. Planning ahead will
ease the burden of making decisions at a time of emotional and
physical stress for our families.
How do my family and
I plan ahead for funeral and burial arrangements?
Talk it over; remembering the funeral is for the living! It
should not be delayed until you face terminal illness. It is
much less painful to discuss arrangements while everyone is
healthy. Include the entire family in making decisions to be
sure each person is comfortable with those decisions. After
all, the funeral is for the survivors and should not just be
the wishes of the deceased. Keep these thoughts in mind.
- Does my family understand my request and feelings?
- Do I understand theirs?
- Did I give permission to compromise on my decisions without
guilt if circumstances change?
- Could I do for them, what I have asked them to do for me?
- Will my requests allow them to grieve in a normal, healthy
manner?
Many of the details involved in pre-planning can be done without
speaking to a funeral director. Our “Requests
and Reflections” guide is printable and includes the
biographical and service preference information needed to begin
pre-planning. We also have these booklets available at the funeral
homes free of charge. If you wish to go further and plan the
entire service, including casket, vault or urn selections and
pricing, it is a good idea to speak with a licensed funeral
director. Please call or E-Mail and we will arrange an appointment.
There is no cost or obligation for this service.
Is it a good idea to
pre-pay for my funeral service?
There is no correct answer to this question. In certain circumstances,
placing funds in a funeral trust may be beneficial. Many families
receive comfort in knowing that their arrangements are paid
for in advance and their survivors won’t have to worry
about finding the funds needed to pay for the service. Others
are concerned about exhausting their assets due to an extended
stay in a care facility. In both instances, a pre-paid funeral
trust funded through insurance or a certificate of deposit may
alleviate these concerns. Our section on Consumer Information
will have additional information on things to consider before
pre-paying for funeral services.
If you have questions about
any of the information presented here, please call or E-mail
Mike Phillips at the funeral home.
