If advanced planning could relieve your family from the worry of making important decisions during a stressful time, would you do it? More baby boomers are saying that planning a funeral in advance can offer them peace of mind.
Christine Pepper, chief executive officer of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), cites an October 2004 Harris Interactive® poll that verifies the preplanning trend. « When it comes to preplanning, 57 percent of adults surveyed said they intend to preplan, or have preplanned. And the 2005 Wirthlin Worldwide Consumer Survey has confirmed that trend, » says Pepper.
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Hoster is not alone. Americans are discovering the emotional and financial benefits of planning funerals in advance. By preplanning a funeral for themselves or a loved one, people find comfort in knowing that the funeral reflects individual wants and needs. It also gives families an opportunity to create a more meaningful funeral by giving everyone involved a chance to have input into what kind of funeral service will be best. Such as, what type of service is preferred, and whether earth burial or cremation is preferred. This type of candid discussion does not always take place until the time of a death. Therefore, making these decisions in advance can prevent family discord at an already difficult time.
NFDA recommends that families considering preplanning, talk with a local NFDA funeral director who can discuss all the options and necessary decisions. Once plans have been made, all documents should be kept in a safe place. It is also advisable to inform a family member or close friend about what arrangements have been made and where the information may be found.
While preplanning does not require prepaying, it is an option that some individuals do find helpful. If you feel prefunding is wise for you, then be sure to go over all available options with your funeral director.
NFDA President R. Doggett Whitaker Jr., CFSP, says that families should not be reluctant to ask questions when making prearrangements, especially if they also plan to prefund the funeral.
« I think they should definitely ask where the funds are going to be placed, whether they are being placed in a trust account in a bank, are they refundable, and who has control over these funds, » explains Whitaker. The most common ways to prepay include annuities, life insurance policies, savings accounts, and bank trusts.
NFDA developed the Consumer Preneed Bill of Rights as a resource for consumers so they know what to expect from any preneed contract. The document is available on NFDA’s Website at www.nfda.org, and outlines the rights and protections that an ethical and reputable funeral home will guarantee.
In addition, NFDA funeral homes around the country are participating in a national consumer education program, For A Life Worth Celebrating(SM), in an effort to help consumers make wise and informed decisions related to funeral service. For more information, visit NFDA’s Website at www.nfda.org.
NFDA is the leading funeral service association, serving more than 21,400 individual members who represent 12,486 funeral homes in the
Source: National Funeral Directors Association
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