Advanced funeral planning lifts burden from others

(MS) - People plan for many things well in advance. Finances are set aside for schooling, purchasing a home, retirement, and even vacations. Despite being a certainty, fewer people plan for their own death and funeral.

Death is not an easy subject to discuss, especially when it's your own. Few people enjoy facing their own mortality. Some avoid doing so for superstitious reasons. Others feel it's not something to consider while they're in the prime of their lives ... death being a long way off. But as one knows, passing away is not something that can be scheduled. Advanced planning can ensure your wishes are followed and remove some of the emotional and financial burden from relatives.

There are dozens of decisions and tasks that come into play with funeral planning. The average cost of a funeral, as of July 2004, was $6,500. That cost includes an outer burial container, but does not include cemetery costs. Finances are just one of the many tasks relatives would have to handle without preplanning on your part. Here are some ways to consider pre-planning: • contact the funeral director • choose a cemetery • arrange the date with clergy/church • hire organist and vocalist • contact insurance agents • select a casket and burial location • choose clothing • decide on flowers and music • arrange transportation • contact friends and family • order thank-you cards • sign legal papers • pay for the services of doctors, funeral directors, etc. • secure lodging for out-of-town guests

Depending on the advanced planning you make and the service you use, many of these tasks can be handled, leaving relatives to take care of the personal condolences. This makes it easier for them to cope during a time of grieving and uncertainty instead of having to worry about details. It also ensures that they are not taken advantage of financially by the rare people who profit at the expense of another's grief.

Options Abound

There are many options in advanced funeral arrangements. One popular choice is to use a service that, in essence, stores your money and wishes in a trust of sorts. This money is protected and doesn't appear as income in the event that you need to be put into a nursing home and your assets are investigated to pay for it. Another reason this scenario is advantageous is that if you move, your funds and plans can be sent to the funeral home of your choice - you're not locked into the location in which you made the plans. Pre-planning services also have payment options that can be done in a single payment or in affordable monthly payments. And some services can provide tax advantages you may not have been aware of.

Using a service such as this allows you to consider all the options well in advance and really give thought to how you'd like your wishes to be carried out. It also allows you to group all of your information in one place, making it very easy for relatives to carry out.

If you think pre-planning might be the right idea for you, discuss it with your family and explore the options. It can be an important component of overall estate planning.