WHY PLAN AHEAD
Secure Your Wishes. Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind.
My name is Jamie Allar.
I have helped hundreds of families in the area to complete their funeral plans to the benefit of their loved ones. If you have any questions about the process I would be happy to answer and to quickly and easily help you check this off your to-do list. It is a privilege to work with the caring staff at Pisarski Funeral Homes to assist those interested in learning about pre-planning funerals long before a crisis occurs.
Protecting Your Family From Debt By Pre-Paying For Your Funeral Now
Recent reports like this one from a prominent investors website have highlighted the current reality, that half or more of Americans can’t afford to write a $500 check for an unanticipated expense – even people earning more than $75,000 a year, a third more than the typical household earns in most parts of the country.
The article in question is related to recent reports indicating that after a decade or more of offering cell phones free or for a nominal charge in exchange for a multi-year commitment on a service contract, phone carriers are now moving to eliminate the practice, and will now be requiring customers to purchase their next cell phone at full retail prices.
Maxed Out
With the average smart phone today running anywhere from $300 to $900, that’s more than the average American can afford to pay out of pocket after regular monthly expenses like rent, utilities, car payments, groceries, and gasoline.
And its not just one cell phone per household, either. Typically today EACH person in a household carries a cell phone, and even with multi-phone family plans, that can easily add up to hundreds of dollars a month, NOT including the cell phones themselves.
With more and more people totally dependent on their smart phone, cell phone insurance is an increasingly hot item. Unable to pay for a new phone out of pocket in the event of loss, theft, or breakage, consumers often end up paying far more in insurance premiums per year than the retail value of a new phone. In spite of this, fully two thirds of Americans say they would not be willing to cut back on their cell phone plans to save money.
While for many credit cards continue to provide a buffer against unexpected expenses, the reality is that many people are maxed out on their credit cards as well, and are paying a small fortune each month in simple interest charges on the carried balances.
Sudden Death
If a large percentage of Americans today cannot even afford to replace a simple $500 cell phone, then what do you imagine is the impact of a sudden death, requiring an up-front expenditure of $3,000 to $10,000 for a funeral and burial or cremation that has to occur within a week of death?
Balances in savings and bank accounts of the deceased may not be available for weeks or months, and even the proceeds from a simple funeral insurance policy may not be received until well after the funeral. Most funeral homes on the other hand require payment in advance of services being provided.
Avoid Debt With Funeral Pre-Funding
By pre-arranging and just as importantly pre-funding your funeral, you can save your family and loved ones from having to go into debt for your funeral when that time finally comes.
Perhaps you are in good health now, and looking forward to traveling in your retirement, or relocating to a warmer locale. Maybe you don’t know where you will be in a few years.
By pre-planning your arrangements are flexible and portable. This portability ensures that ensures that your burial or cremation expenses are paid for, no matter where you are when the time comes.
How It Works:
- The financial burden and decisions are removed from survivors.
- A cost estimate is provided, based on your desired services and merchandise to meet the needs of your family.
- Funds are set aside as irrevocable, protecting them as an exempt asset when applying for SSI/Nursing Home Assistance.
- A cost guarantee is offered to ensure that no additional funds are needed for the funeral home goods and services at the time of death.
- Selected services and merchandise may be changed at any time.
- Your funeral home designation may be changed if you choose.
- Any Remaining funds are returned to your designated beneficiary after the services are provided.
Protect Your Family From Debt By Pre-Paying For Your Funeral Now
Also by pre-funding your funeral now at a time when you hopefully have more assets available, you are preparing for a possible future where you may not have as many assets or income, or perhaps will have had to draw them down to qualify for long-term care under Medicaid.
Pre-arranging and pre-funding your own funeral is a gift of love to your family. Contact us today to learn more.
Understanding Funeral Preplanning: FAQs for Peace of Mind
Funeral preplanning can feel overwhelming, but having clear answers can bring comfort and clarity. Our FAQ section addresses the most common questions families have about planning ahead. With the right information, you can make confident choices that reflect your wishes and ease the burden on loved ones.
What steps are involved in prearranging a funeral?
The first step would be to write down your wishes. Indicate if you would prefer burial or cremation. Write down your ideas for the service you would like, cemetery choice, etc. If you've made those choices, or even if you're unsure, schedule a time to meet with one of our funeral directors who can explain the different service options, merchandise choices, as well as the different ways to pay for the funeral.
What information do I need to prearrange a funeral?
You'll need basic information about yourself or the person you are planning for, such as date of birth, marital status, parents' full names, etc. Besides the biological information, you'll need to choose burial or cremation, what type of service you'd like, what cemetery to use, etc. Our caring staff will help you with this process.
Do I have to pay in advance?
Preplanning is merely making your wishes known; however, most families who do this also choose to pre-fund their funeral. Doing so will relieve the financial burden on your family and offer peace of mind to you.
Can I transfer my plans to or from another funeral home?
If you have plans at another funeral home and would like to move them here, we will help you do that. If you move from the area and would like to transfer your arrangements to another funeral home, we will assist you with that as well.
Jamie Allar is our pre-need funeral planner. Jamie specializes in helping people plan funeral arrangements for themselves or for a loved one, ensuring a smooth and meaningful experience during a difficult and emotional time. For assistance with funeral pre-planning contact Jamie today at jamie@epilogueplanning.com, or at (715) 571-4160.
