Emotional Benefits:

 

Though many families are uncomfortable talking about death, it is a fact of life that everyone will deal with at some point. Did Mom want to be cremated? Did Dad want a memorial service? Pre-planning your funeral allows for your wishes to be carried out and spares your loved ones from making important decisions during a stressful time.

 

Pre-planning also eliminates “emotional overspending” by your loved ones. Please remember, funeral rituals are not for the deceased but for the living. A time to grieve, be supported in grief by others and to begin the healing process.

 

Why Pre-Plan?

 

• Puts you in control and ensures your wishes are known.

• Provides social, psychological and emotional benefits to your loved ones.

• Allows you to set aside funds and relieve your family from a financial burden

• Provides peace of mind that your affairs are in order.

 

 

Paying for your funeral

 

The Federal Trade Commission website states that “Funerals rank among the most expensive purchases many consumers will ever make.”

Pre-funding protects from inflation and allows your life insurance to be for your survivors, not for funeral expenses.

 

Shop around for the funeral director you are most comfortable with.

 

The FTC mandates that every funeral director provide an itemized list of prices.  You aren’t required to buy a “package.”

 

Steps to Pre-Planning

 

• Draw a will: Wealthy or not a will provides protection for you and your loved ones.

• Plan the actual funeral: Talk with a local funeral director and decide on dispositions: i.e. cremation, burial, medical, or organ donations.

• Decide on type of crematory: Traditional viewing, clergy service, memorial service.

• Tally the total costs: Life insurance allocation, cash/credit payment, bank loan.

The final goal is to allow your loved ones to focus on grieving and healing.

 

Full service: Most common service, which consists of viewing and visitation hours, formal services at house of worship, and use of hearse.

 

Direct cremation: Cremation takes place 24 hours after death without embalming, at which point the cremated remains are placed in an urn. Memorial services can be held with or without cremated remains being present.

 

Other options: Speak with your local funeral director to make that time reflect your personality and personal preferences.

 

Gather all pertinent documents in one place:

• Military discharge papers: Veterans are entitled to an Honor Guard present at funeral.

• Insurance policies

• Will

• Mortgage documents

• Birth certificates

• Bank account information

• Stocks/bonds/certificates

• Marriage certificate

• Safe deposit box location and key (avoid storing these documents in a safe deposit box. Your family may not have immediate access to this!)

 

The Diocese of Metuchen upholds a commitment to excellence and satisfaction by providing support and flexibility to our funeral homes and families. We honor the deceased for the comfort of the families at our First Saturday Mass, and as special masses such as Memorial Day and All-Souls Day. Our “Family First” attitude is a priority for all of our staff. We also have vases, photo porcelains, emblems, lighted candles, Christmas blankets, Memorial benches, trees, chairs, statues, and Veteran’s emblems all available for purchase to commemorate the life of your loved ones.