Funeral planning and prefunding

Planning a Funeral Ahead of Time and Prepaying

For many people, planning ahead and prepaying for a funeral go hand in hand. This page answers some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic. However, this is a big topic, and this brief summary may not cover everything you want to know. For more information, we recommend that you visit our pages […]



Conference table for making funeral arrangements with Funeralwise

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 Contracts - What you need to know

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 Customs

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 […]


Cellphone makes first call for making funeral arrangements with Funeralwise

The First Call: Who to Call When Someone Dies

Who to Call When Someone Dies When you need to have a loved one's body removed from the place of death, you'll need to contact a local Funeral Director to transfer the body to a funeral home or comparable care facility ("first call"). Funeral directors are available through funeral homes and other funeral service organizations.



Social Security Card

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:


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