Five Steps to Help You Pre-Plan Your Funeral

Everyone knows that death is a part of life, but believe it or not, you can remain in control of some parts of your life even after you pass. Your family and loved ones will want to honor your final wishes, and you can help them do this. The following five steps will help you pre-plan your funeral.

Update your will

If you have family, friends or organizations and want them taken care of after you have passed, then make sure your will is up to date. Have an expert review it for proper wording and check that your signature is provided where required. This pre-arranged funeral step—recommended by funeral homes in Chicago, IL—is extremely important for any person wanting to take care of their family, because without a will, a probate court judge will decide how to distribute your assets among your heirs. A will assures your loved ones that your final wishes are being met, as well as keeps them from fighting over your assets.

Open a payable-on-death bank account

A bank account is a safe place to keep your money until you need it. This includes paychecks, cash and any other money that belongs to you. What you might not know is that banks and credit unions allow their members to add payable-on-death (POD) agreements to their bank deposits. The POD designation is free. This agreement allows the transfer of all accounts, certificates of deposit and U.S. savings bonds directly to members’ beneficiaries. If you have investments, also look at adding a transfer-on-death (TOD) arrangement.

Decide what to do with yourself after death

Truth be told, when pre-arranging your funeral, you have to decide what to do with your remains. Options for services include funerals, direct burial, cremation and private or public services. Traditional funerals include a visitation or viewing and service. The casket with the body may move from the funeral location to the cemetery. The funeral home fees cover embalming (if desired), dressing and makeup and the service site. Caskets are made from wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass or fiberboard and vary in cost, and your choice also depends on whether you want an in-ground burial, natural burial or cremation.

Compare funeral homes

It may seem uncomfortable to shop around for a funeral home, but it’s a service that costs money, and the quality of the experience can really vary. Discuss funeral homes and burial sites with your loved ones, then compare prices.

Pay now for your pre-planned arrangements

One of the most important funeral pre-planning tips from funeral homes in Chicago, IL is to consider paying in advance for your funeral, burial and memorial arrangements. Doing this while you are still around saves your family from the stress of dealing with these arrangements while going through the grieving process.

Marik-Baken Funeral Services Ltd. is here to help you with all your pre-planned service needs. Our compassionate staff is available to help arrange your plans so you can have the peace of mind you deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we are available to answer your call 24 hours a day.

Categorised in: Funeral Planning

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