Some people avoid pre-planning their funeral services because they may not have the funds on hand to pay for them. They may even be skeptical of pre-planning, wondering if their family will still be left with additional “costs of inflation” after their deaths. The reality of pre-planning a funeral may be much different than you may believe.
What is Pre-Planning a Funeral?
You should first understand that pre-planning a funeral doesn’t mean pre-paying for a funeral. Certainly, many people make the decision to pre-pay. This option depends on their financial situation and their how much they want to minimize the pressures on their family when they die.
Pre-planning in the strictest sense of the word simply means making your wishes known in writing. The next easiest step is to make a choice of a funeral director who would assist you in carrying out those plans. This is reasonable for a variety of reasons.
Not Everyone Has the Funds to Pre-Pay
As baby boomers age, they would likely much rather spend their well and hard-earned money on their grandkids or family vacations. Funerals are what they have life insurance for. Of course, the funds from life insurance won’t be available until their death, and by then, it is too late to clarify final wishes.
Knowing how much life insurance they have, pre-planners can make practical and loving choices in using those funds judiciously. They can also determine exactly how they would prefer those resources to be spent. This can eliminate many family squabbles at a time when emotions are raw. You have made your decisions and you have to let those choices known in your pre-planning arrangements.
What If You Don’t Have Life Insurance?
Even those who don’t have the resources or life insurance can provide a final gift for loved ones by choosing final arrangements that won’t be a financial burden. Final wishes and plans may include a modest burial, cremation and a spreading of ashes. Services can be minimal, yet respectful. It can still allow a family to grieve their loss without an overwhelming financial burden. The key in pre-planning is letting them know that it is you wish for your final services to be minimal.
How We Can Help
At Fares J. Radel, we can help by discussing your wishes away from the pressure of family members. We can show you options that will appeal to your personal wishes and the financial resources you may have available. This alone can relieve much of the pressure of family members upon your death.
Of course, you can totally prepay for your final services, we can set up pre-payment plans, or we can simply document your wishes. In any of these scenarios, a burden will be lifted from your loved ones. It will be left up to you to let your loved one know you have discussed and made your decisions with Fares J. Radel.
For over a decade, our family has been serving the families of the Cincinnati, OH area. We have always done our best to accommodate them based on their wishes and resources. We would be proud to do the same for you.
