Who Benefits?

This is the question that comes up the most among people who are considering planning ahead. Whenever we as Americans consider entering into any agreement that involves our own hard earned monies, I think we all want to know, how this will benefit me and my family. When I think of advanced planning, I can think of three parties that benefit greatly from the act of planning ahead.

The first party affected by advanced funeral and cremation planning is the individual for whom the arrangements are made. One has the advantage of knowing the exact type of service that he or she is going to have, without any doubt of what will be done at death. The prices of any services and merchandise provided by our firm will remain fixed for the rest of that individual’s life. Monies are set aside in a qualified escrow account, approved by the state of Virginia, and will remain undisturbed until needed. You will also be protected from any severe financial or medical misfortune that could result in the loss of individual assets, and you are completely exempt from Medicaid requirements. Arrangements are fully transferable in the event of an out of town death, or a relocation taking place. The most unique thing about planning for services ahead of time is the opportunity to relieve your loved ones from very difficult decisions.

The second party affected by advanced planning is the family. Surviving relatives are the true beneficiaries of advanced planning. It is estimated that over one hundred decisions and actions have to be completed over the course of two to three days following a death, with the average arrangement conference lasting around two hours. When arrangements are conducted in advance, planning at death is very limited, and can take as little as one half hour of time to do. Planning also reduces the likelihood emotional overspending at death, due to the fact that most, if not all financial matters, have been secured well in advance of that time. Financially, survivors are in much better shape when a death occurs, and are not waiting on insurance, estate matters, or other assets to be settled before funeral expenses can be paid. Planning eliminates survivors having to borrow monies to cover funeral expenses at a difficult time in their lives, when they may not have disposable income.

The third and final party affected by advanced planning is the funeral home itself. It is very comforting for a funeral director to have all instructions pertaining to a particular funeral or cremation on file before ever meeting with surviving family members. A sense of familiarity with that family, and their wishes has been established by reviewing the file, before any introductions are made. With advance planning there is no uncomfortable anxiety in anticipating how someone will pay for the funeral that they have selected. Whether it is affordable, or financially creating a hardship for the surviving family, is no longer a concern. Monies are paid within days of the arrangements being completed, and no individual family member is looked toward for final expenses. We are better suited to serve the family who has pre arranged and focus on the little things that make a difference. Otherwise, we are stressed to meet difficult timelines that require an abundance of information, in a very short amount of time. A good plan results in better service, with the family under less stress, and much more satisfied.

The phrase that many of us have heard for years, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still holds true in many aspects of our lives, especially when the protection of our families is at stake.

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