Assets of Pre-Planning A Funeral
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| Why Pre-Arrange a
Funeral?
Remember - The funeral is for the living. Some people are disturbed by the thought of death and funerals. The funeral and the resulting internment are for the survivors to have a closure and to have a place to mourn the deceased. When pre-planning a funeral it is recommended that you consult with your loved ones to assure that the arrangements do not offend or make them uncomfortable. You will probably discover that their thoughts on a funeral and yours do not coincide. Some compromise may be necessary to achieve the right plan for you and your loved ones. What to do when death occurs You should notify the corner or medical examiner, your clergy, and the funeral home as soon as possible. If a violent death or suicide has occurred there may be regulations that require an autopsy. If a death occurs outside your state or country, contact a local funeral director to help with details of disposition (like transport of the body.) Check to see if the departed has made a Pre-Care or Pre-Arrangement for their funeral. Should you have a Will in Texas? The State of Texas has already written a will for you. The Texas Probate Code governs how an estate is to be administered and distributed in the event a person dies without a will. The problem with that is under texas law, if you die without a proper will, you do not get any say in the disposition of your estate nor have an opportunity to minimize tax consequences. Because of Texas Probate laws, it is a good idea to have a will to protected your estate in the event of your passing. What do Funeral Directors do? Many people do not realize how much a funeral director can help them in this difficult time. A good funeral director can be a great comfort in a family's time of need. The funeral director can also assist you in pre-planning your funeral. Funeral directors traditionally do the following: Choosing a Cemetery Location should not be the only consideration when selecting a cemetery. Cities, religious organizations, or private organizations can own cemeteries, it is important to understand that each has their own policies. Cemeteries vary in their policies about burial vaults, types and placement of headstones, flowers or wreaths at the gravesite. Many cemeteries require a burial vault. A burial vault is made out of concrete and acts as a container for the casket. A properly sealed lined burial vault offers protection to the casket from water seepage and other elements. Check to see if the family, parents or spouses families have already established a family plot at a cemetery. If the deceased is a veteran or the dependant of a veteran, the veteran's administration may help with the cemetery selection. Your funeral director can assist you in selecting the cemetery that best suites your needs. Choosing a Casket Caskets can range greatly in price depending on their construction. After all is said and done, the casket is probably the one item that depends on personal preferences. Caskets can be constructed from steel, copper, bronze, and wood. They can vary greatly in price according to design, construction, features, and ornamentation. According to the Texas Funeral Service Commission, there is no direct relationship between the protective features of the casket and the preservation of the body. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers some excellent information on caskets at Everything You Need to Know about Caskets. Choosing a Burial Vault Most cemeteries require some sort of burial vault or grave box to maintain the intregrity of the grave until after the interment. Several types of grave liners are available. The Bell Vault, a lightweight product commonly made of fiberglass or plastic. The Bell Vault is designed to be stacked and stored above ground for long periods of time before use. The Grave Box is an unlined lightweight concrete box with holes in the bottom to allow water to move in and out. The Lined Burial Vault is a high strength metal or plastic lined enclosure with a sealed lid. Most funeral directors recommend lined vaults because of the peace of mind a reliable vault offers families. If you choose burial or burial after cremation, its important to understand why you need lined vault and that they do not all provide the same amount protection. There are several factors that challenge the intregrity of a vault: Do you wish to be Buried, Cremated or both? Cremation is an alternative to burial. It is a process that reduces a body and its container to ashes and small fragments. This process is done by applying intense heat to the remains and recovering the resulting ash. Cremated remains or "cremains" are usually scattered or placed in urns. Urns can be kept in the home or buried. Ashes can be scattered into lakes, streams, mountains, or the ocean. The selection of urns can be a complex operation. There are many types of urns and ash receptacles including jewelry. The disposition of the urn can be in the home, burial at a cemetery or placement in a Columbarium Urn Niche. A graveside service is another choice preferred by many. Whether it is private, or for friends and family, it is an important final moment. If a Columbarium Niche is chosen, a graveside service is also a choice. After cremation, most people prefer to bury the urn. While not required by law, many cemeteries do require the use of an outside receptacle, or an urn vault. Many choices are available, including single and double reinforced construction. Regardless of the level of reinforcement, urn vaults offer added protective value. The funeral service The family usually specifies the type of service conducted for the deceased. Funeral Directors are trained to assist families in arranging whatever type of service they desire. The service, held either at a place of worship or at the funeral home with the deceased present, varies in ritual according to denomination. A visitation or gathering... You may have a formal or informal gathering to receive friends at the funeral home or another location. This gives everyone an opportunity to share their concern without disturbing the privacy of the family at home. A general or memorial service... A memorial service can be held to honor the person who has died (held in the funeral home or church). Favorite musical selections and special speakers are an important choice in planning. A religious service... If you are not affiliated with a church or synagogue, but wish to have a religious service, your funeral director can suggest a clergy. If a non-traditional service is desired, he or she can suggest alternatives that maintain the positive values and dignity of the funeral. Regardless of the type of service a member of the family, clergy, a close personal friend or a business associate of the deceased may give a eulogy. The eulogy is not to be lengthy, but should offer praise and commendation and reflect the life of the person who has died. Alternatives to a traditional funeral Military services, fraternal funerals, ethnic ceremonies, wakes, and green funerals offer choices to the conventional service. Military services are usually conducted in one of the veteran memorial cemeteries. Arrangements can be made through your funeral director. Fraternal funerals vary among the different organizations. Consult your local fraternal organization to find out what provisions they have for it's members. Ethnic ceremonies usually are based on the person's nationality and must be coordinated with the funeral director, clergy and local representatives of that ethnic group. Some embassy's can assist in funeral arrangements that are ethnic in nature. Wakes and other memorial ceremonies are usually arranged by friends and family. Green burials are based on environmental ideology. They are usually located in a nature preserve and done without embalming. Green burials utilize biodegradable cardboard coffins or a shroud and use a tree instead of a headstone to mark the grave. Check with your state and local authorities to see if a green burial is allowed in your area. How much should a funeral cost? The cost of funerals can vary by thousands of dollars. Many funeral homes offer "packages" of items and services for a funeral. These "packages" can range from basic to very expensive depending on the extent of goods and services. The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to give you an itemized list. They are also required by law to show you all their items, not just their most expensive. A funeral director cannot charge you an additional handling fee if you bought the casket elsewhere. The cost of a funeral include the following items: Financial alternatives are offered by most funeral services to allow you to pre-pay for your funeral. Alternatives to pre-pay include: |