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Let's Not Talk About That Now...

Too often families do not like to talk about issues surrounding death, dying and funerals. Why should they ask? Soon enough we all will have to deal with these issues. So what’s wrong with waiting till the need arises?

Just like you need to know about health insurance, life insurance, social security benefits and living wills, knowing about funeral arrangements and cemetery property helps you make the financial and emotional decisions you will be comfortable with in years to come.

Over the years, the funeral and cemetery industry has changed. It makes sense for the consumer to pre-plan their arrangements, not only because there is incentive to do so, but even more, because there are also many emotional benefits to pre-arrangements.

ASK YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

What’s really involved in a funeral arrangement? Most families, if asked this question will answer “They pick up the body and take it to the cemetery.” Nothing could be further from the truth! A good funeral director will sit with your family and hear what your family members are saying. Do you all want the same kind of funeral? Do you all agree on the same casket? Are there “Feuding Members of the family” who will all want to be heard at the funeral? Who will speak? What type of clergy will be appropriate for your family? How will your loved one’s memory be reflected at the service? Will you have a service at all? And if not, will you regret that afterwards.

In addition to preparing many documents and obtaining appropriate signatures, arranging for the death certificate to be signed and notifying Social Security of the death, the funeral director is also a liaison between the family, clergy and the cemetery staff. If selected wisely, your funeral director will be your family’s advisor, helping them to feel comfortable and making sure your wishes are being honored. Funeral directors “work behind the scenes” from the moment they are contacted, insuring things are being done correctly and in a timely manner.

What is involved in purchasing cemetery property? Most cemeteries have many different properties that you may purchase. You may choose a niche (A space in a mausoleum to place the cremated remains), a grave in a section with a headstone or a grave in a section which only has flat markers, a crypt in a community mausoleum or a separate, private family mausoleum. There may be a requirement for an outer enclosure (sometimes called a vault) as well as labor fees for burial.

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