Funeral planning and prefunding

Planning a Funeral Ahead of Time and Prepaying

Why should I plan my funeral ahead of time? Funeral arrangements will be a consideration for us all at some point in time and there are advantages to making them in advance. Funeral planning in advance: Puts you in control of your arrangements and ensures your wishes will be known. Provides social, psychological and emotional […]



Working with a Funeral Director: Arrangement Conferences

After a death has occurred there are many decisions to be made and details to be organized. The time set aside to accomplish these things is called the arrangement conference. Depending on the complexity or amount of details needed, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Being prepared and knowing what to expect can greatly reduce confusion and stress during this time.


At Need Funeral Goods and Services Contracts: What You Need to Know

When a death occurs, there are many aspects of preparing for services and final disposition. Once all the decisions have been made, arrangements must be made for payment. Regardless if the funeral was pre-funded, covered by insurance, financed, or paid at the time of service; a funeral service contract must be completed.


Death and Taxes – Funeralwise.com Offers a "Tax Rebate"

Las Vegas, NV April 5, 2010 – Since the only things certain in life are death and taxes, Funeralwise.com is offering to ease the burden with free funeral planning and “tax rebates” of up to $500 to individuals who register on their website.


Cross-Cultural Funeral Service Rituals

By LaVone V. Hazell, MS, FT, LFD For the past two decades, the traditional funeral rite has been in transition for various reasons: changes in social stratification due to a declining economy and shrinking resources; increased immigration to the United States; neo-local spread of the family to many geographic locations; increased demand for cremations; decline in religious practices and increased secular observances; and a shift from ancestral to contemporary funeral rites.


Funeral Trusts and Payable on Death Accounts

A trust is a good way to set aside money for your funeral costs. A Funeral Trust is created in connection with a contract for pre-arrangements with a funeral home or cemetery. That is when you are contracting in advance for funeral or burial services. Whereas a Payable on Death Account (POD) is one you […]



How to Claim Death Benefits

Common Sources of Benefits In addition to life insurance policies, death benefits may be available from a variety of sources. Funeral Directors can help gather the information needed to apply for the applicable death benefits. In most cases, you'll need a copy of the Death Certificate to file for benefits. Following are common sources of benefits and assistance:


A How-to Guide for Making Funeral Arrangements

What To Do When Someone Dies Here you can learn what to do if a friend or loved one has just died or if death is expected sometime soon. The following guides will take you through the steps of arranging a funeral from making the first call when someone dies to the various arrangements to be made following the funeral.


How Much Will Your Funeral Cost? Try Our QuickPlan to Find Out.