Many funeral homes and crematoriums in Springfield, MO, give seniors the ability to preplan their funerals. Taking advantage of this service can provide many benefits for both older adults and their loved ones. Read on to explore why you may want to consider it and get tips on final arrangement preplanning.

What Is Funeral Preplanning?

Funeral preplanning is the process of making the arrangements for your viewing, wake and burial or cremation while you're alive. As with financial planning, you can go about preplanning one of two ways: through a third-party service or directly through a business that offers funeral and/or cremation services.

Third-party services are typically websites that let you record your wishes and share them with your loved ones. Examples include Funeralwise and Everloved. Normally, these sites are free to use, but they may place you on mailing lists for products and services or offer premium accounts that give access to additional features for a one-time, monthly or annual fee.

Direct funeral preplanning involves working with the funeral home or crematorium you'd like to handle your final arrangements. With this type of preplanning, you may pick out specific products like an urn or casket. In some cases, direct planning involves paying for your funeral ahead of time. This may be done by making a payment directly to the provider or by taking out a burial insurance policy with a face value equal to or greater than the cost.

What Are the Benefits of Funeral Preplanning?

Funeral preplanning offers a few benefits for seniors. Here are some reasons you may want to take advantage of these services.

It Makes Things Easier for Your Loved Ones

If your loved ones know exactly what you want for your final arrangements, they won't have to worry about making decisions in the days after you pass away. Preplanning can also eliminate the risk of disagreements about how to remember you to make the grieving process less stressful.

There May Be a Potential for Savings

Sometimes, funeral homes and crematoriums offer discounts on products and services for people who plan in advance. Even if the one you choose doesn't, you have the ability to pick and choose what you want, and this could also help your family save money. For example, if you decide you don't want a viewing, the funeral home or crematorium may charge less.

You Have the Opportunity to Be Remembered How You Wish

When you preplan your funeral, you can control how your loved ones remember you and say goodbye. Planning ahead means you can decide whether you're buried or cremated and can determine where you'll be laid to rest or what will be done with your ashes. You can choose the music and scriptures for the funeral and even select the pallbearers, readers and speakers, maybe some of your assisted living neighbors, who will perform eulogies. By preplanning, you can set the tone for the day and even provide a final message to be shared with your loved ones during the service.

Tips for Funeral Preplanning

To ensure you have a good experience and get a fair deal, follow these tips.

Use Insurance When Possible

Prepaying for your funeral can eliminate the financial burden for your family. However, paying a funeral home directly could be a mistake. If the company goes out of business, you may lose whatever you've invested. Instead, look for providers that let you secure the contract through a burial insurance policy. Should they require you to make the funeral home or crematorium the beneficiary of the policy, name a loved one as a contingent so they'll receive the death benefit if the business shuts its doors.

Compare More Than One Option

The costs of and services included in funeral preplanning vary widely from provider to provider. Before you agree to anything, talk to at least three funeral homes or crematoriums. Find out what fees are associated with preplanning and what you'll get from using the service. Residents of The Gardens senior living community can take advantage of our transportation services to get to and from appointments.

Research Providers

Before signing a contract, search for the name of the funeral home or crematorium online. Read reviews from other customers and check for any news stories about the business. If you know anyone who's preplanned, ask who they used and why they chose them.

Ask What's Included

The funeral home or crematorium should make it clear exactly what's included in the preplanning agreement, especially if you're paying up front. Ask them to provide a written list of the products and services you'd be entitled to.

Read the Fine Print

Read any contract carefully before you sign. If you're prepaying, find out what costs may not be covered. If you're unsure about any detail, ask questions. Feel free to request a copy of the contract to show a loved one or legal professional. Businesses that pressure you to sign immediately may not have your best interests at heart.

Tell Your Family About Your Plans

After your arrangements are made, tell your family that you preplanned. Give them the name of the funeral home or crematorium you worked with and explain how the preplanning arrangement works.

Keep Plan Information in a Safe Place

Store the contract, written instructions for your loved ones, burial insurance information and receipts for anything you paid for in advance in a safe place, such as a fireproof lockbox or a safe deposit box at a local bank, making sure your family knows how to access the information.