Monday, April 28, 2014

Facts To Expect When Picking Funeral Prepayment Plans

By Lisa Buick


The strong emotions accompanying the death of a loved can make sound business decisions regarding final expenses more difficult. Family members may ultimately spend far more than was anticipated or necessary. Funeral prepayment plans are designed in principle to eliminate the need for making those hurried, last-minute decisions.

Buying a particular plan from a local, trusted service director can ease those concerns. The concept of having all final affairs in order is satisfying on both emotional and practical levels, but that appeal does not alter the reality that doing so is a major financial commitment for many people. Comparing individual plans is vital.

Choosing one of these plans is similar in most respects to buying insurance coverage against consistently rising funeral expenses. The payment for these future services can be made in one lump, or spread out over time. For some buyers, extended payments can actually end up costing more than the value of the original plan.

Making sure these details are fully illuminated requires carefully reading the fine print. Funeral industry regulations vary widely by state, especially in the amount of money that must be kept in the policy trust fund. Well-documented abuses have occurred, and local regulations need to be carefully examined and understood.

Make sure that the agreement allows changes, such as relocation or even cancellation. Full refunds are rare, and the assumption that such a plan will cover all expenses automatically is rarely true. Explore all likely possibilities, and make sure that you will be advised of any changes by the provider.

Comparing and understanding the options offered by a local service provider gives consumers the knowledge to enter such an agreement with realistic expectations. Freeing others from the responsibility of choosing final service options is well worth the small amount of time and effort required to enjoy increased peace of mind.




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