Why You Should Consider Funeral Planning Services

When a loved one passes away, the surviving family members are often left with an expensive burden to bear: the cost of funeral services. Not only is it expensive, but planning a funeral is a stressful undertaking. It’s wise (and kind) to set aside funds for your end-of-life arrangements so there will be no questions or financial burdens when you die. Here’s why you should consider pre-planning your funeral services in Chicago, IL.

What is a pre-paid funeral plan?

Pre-paid plans are made with a funeral home before you die. You’ll make your own funeral arrangements with the funeral home staff, then pay monthly installments on your plan until it’s paid off. (There are other ways to finance the plan, depending on your preferences, but monthly installments are the most common arrangement.)

Pre-planning allows you to get the service you want while saving your family members the stress during an already emotional time. It will also ensure that no one has to come up with thousands of dollars unexpectedly.

What do pre-paid plans typically cover?

The plans cover all the expenses associated with a funeral: casket or cremation, transportation, funeral home services, flowers and more. If you want to make sure your plan comes with specific services, you should purchase a guaranteed plan with those features. Non-guaranteed plans don’t offer the same peace of mind—if prices for services or caskets go up, your loved ones will be on the hook for the additional costs.

Are pre-paid plans the same as funeral insurance?

Funeral insurance is different from pre-paid plans. Pre-paid plans usually go through a specific funeral home, while funeral insurance doesn’t require the beneficiary to spend the money solely on the funeral. They may also use that money to pay medical expenses, debts, unpaid utility bills and other expenses that can accrue.

How to purchase a plan

When you’re ready to purchase a pre-paid plan, the first step is to find a funeral home that offers the services you need. For example, Marik-Baken Funeral Services Ltd. offers pre-paid plans. We’ll help you decide what you want from your funeral service, and leave detailed instructions for when the time comes. When you pass away, your family can contact us and we’ll take the lead on planning.

The program we work with will transfer pre-planning funds to other funeral homes if someone passes and it is not possible for the family to do funeral services with us. This is especially important if you pass away after moving out of town, or your preferred funeral home is overwhelmed and can’t accommodate services. Most importantly, we’ll refund any additional funds back to your family if all the funds are not used.

If you need more information on why you should pre-plan your funeral services in Chicago, IL, reach out to Marik-Baken Funeral Services Ltd. today. Our compassionate staff will guide you through the process and help you understand your options. We understand this is a challenging experience and you likely have a lot of questions—don’t hesitate to ask for the help you need!

Categorised in: Funeral Planning

This post was written by Writer