Why You Should Plan Ahead
Preplanning is a matter of taking the time to think about – and record – your end-of-life desires. It’s a thoughtful gesture to those you love, and a way to let go of anxieties about the future. Once done, you can relax, knowing your plans are in the hands of reliable friends or family.
It’s All About Taking Control
Given time to consider it, you’ll quickly realize that preplanning is all about ensuring that your wishes are known, so they can be acted upon with the time comes. Making the commitment to planning ahead:
- Is easy. There’s no health questionnaire or physical exam required. Absolutely everyone can make a preplan, and there is no waiting for return documents. The plan is completed, and put on file in our office.
- Lets your family clearly know your wishes.
- Relieves your family members of making very personal decisions on your behalf at the time of need.
- Can protect your family from the ravages of inflation. Your expenses can be covered when you need them to be, through a pre-payment plan.
Preplanning Checklist
For many, it feels like there’s an overwhelming amount of things to think about. Laying the foundation for a well thought out plan for you or a loved one takes a bit of time, but, it’s worth every moment spent. Here’s what to do to get started:
- Prepare a contact list of individuals who should be notified in a medical emergency or death.
- Write an obituary or simply jot down information you would like included in an obituary.
- Decide where obituary and memorial information should appear.
Choose the type of service you would like including the burial you prefer and make those arrangements. You will need to decide:
- Cemetery lot location
- Casket type; cremation urn type
- Type of service: religious or non-denominational
- The contact details for Dalmeny Funeral Home to designate care for you
- Pallbearers, music, flowers, scripture or other readings
- Charity to receive donations in lieu of flowers, if donations are preferred
- Select whom you would like to speak at the service
- Decide what organizations or church will benefit from memorial donations in your name
Arrange and Delegate
The people who know and care about you will be there when you need them. You only need to provide them with instructions and important financial details.
Give your Executor a copy of your Will. Safety deposit boxes are often opened up during the estate settlement process, long after the funeral. Any funeral planning documents therein can be of no help to your executor.
- Make sure your representative has a list of important account information or telephone numbers for retirement plans, insurance policies, investments, bank accounts, safe-deposit boxes, properties, preferred law and accountant firms and mortuaries.
- Designate a power of attorney to ensure that proper information can be accessed in the event of your illness or death. Make sure a durable power of attorney for health care and a living will are in place so that your wishes are carried out if you are unable to do so.
- Make arrangements for telephone and utilities services, and newspaper and magazine deliveries, to be cancelled.
You can also contact us for additional information. We’re pleased to answer any questions you may have, without obligation.
Does Preplanning Require Pre-payment?
The simple answer is: No. You can set plan to paper by simply recording your wishes, and leave it for your family to pay for your desired services at the time of your passing.
Or, you can protect you and your family from inflation, by pre-funding your plan. This ensures your expenses will be covered when you need them to be.
When you choose to pre-fund your final arrangements, your money is put in an approved trust account until required.
Why Preplan with Dalmeny Funeral Home?
By preplanning with us, you’re assured that your final wishes are known. This relieves your family of the burden of making difficult decisions, under emotional duress. Through pre-funding your plan, expenses will be covered when you need them to be.
Our plans offer a variety of payment options to fit most everyone. Choose the payment option that’s right for you.
Request a personal appointment with a Dalmeny Funeral Home PrePlanning Advisor. Please contact us by phone (306) 254-2022 or send a note from the contact page.
More and more people are realizing the advantages of prearranging their funerals. The process is simple and the benefit to loved ones left to handle the arrangements is well recognized. The benefits are numerous: preplanning allows you to express your own wishes; there’s no income tax liability; your funeral plan is transferable in case you move away; it relieves your family of the financial burden. By relieving your family of burdensome decisions at a difficult time, you are showing your love and respect for their needs, too.