Planning for the future isn’t just about building a secure financial foundation or ensuring your family’s well-being—it’s also about preparing for life’s inevitable moments. Prepaid funeral plans are an option many people consider to ease the emotional and financial burden on their loved ones during a difficult time.

And finding the best plans in North Carolina means understanding how preplans work in our state.

In this blog, we’ll explore the essentials of prepaid funeral plans, uncovering what they include. We’ll also see why they might be a wise choice for you and your family.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how the best of these plans work and see how they can provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Planning Funeral Arrangements: Understanding Your Funeral Service Options

Planning your funeral arrangements involves making several important decisions that reflect your personal wishes and provide comfort to your family members.

The first step is understanding the various options for your funeral service.Do you prefer a traditional funeral with a religious ceremony or a more modern celebration of life?

You can choose the location of the service, such as a funeral home, a place of worship, or even a special outdoor venue that holds personal significance.

Discussing these choices with your family and funeral home ensures everyone is aware of your preferences.

Personalizing the Ceremony

Personalizing your funeral service can make it a meaningful tribute to your life. Consider the type of music you want played, any readings or poems that hold special meaning, and who you would like to speak or officiate.

If you choose burial, you can decide whether you want an open or closed casket.
If cremation or aquamation is your preference, consider what you would like others to do with the ashes. Options include placing them in a decorative urn, scattering them in a meaningful location, or even incorporating them into a memorial piece of jewelry.

Choosing a Burial Plot or Niche

Whether you choose cremation or burial, you can always choose a burial spot. With cremation, you may also choose scattering of ashes.

For a burial, selecting a burial plot is a crucial part of your funeral arrangements. You might want to be buried in a cemetery near your family home or in a place that has special meaning to you.
For cremation or aquamation, you might choose a niche in a columbarium or a memorial garden. Some families prefer private family estates or mausoleums. Others prefer scattering of ashes in a meaningful location.

Discussing these choices with a funeral director can help you understand the options available and make the best decision for your needs.

Visitation and Memorial Service

A visitation or viewing allows family and friends to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes. This can be held the day before the funeral or just prior to the service. You can decide if you want this to be a private event for close family members or open to all friends and acquaintances.

If you prefer not to have a traditional funeral, a memorial service is another option. This can be held anywhere and can be as formal or informal as you like, providing an opportunity for loved ones to gather and celebrate your life.

Communicating Your Final Wishes

Clear communication of your final wishes is essential to ensure they are carried out as you intend. Writing down your preferences and discussing them with your family and your chosen funeral service provider can prevent confusion and stress during such an emotional time.

Many people find comfort in knowing their specific desires for their own funeral are documented and will be respected.

Easing the Burden For Your Family

By planning ahead and detailing your funeral arrangements, you take a significant step towards easing the burden on your loved ones. Your foresight will allow them to focus on honoring your memory and supporting each other rather than making difficult decisions during a time of grief.

This thoughtful planning ensures your funeral service is a true reflection of your life and legacy.

Get Started Today

Take the first step towards peace of mind today. Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced funeral directors at Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory. Let us help you create a personalized prepaid funeral plan that honors your wishes and eases the burden on your loved ones.

Contact us now at Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh to begin your preplanning journey and secure the best arrangements for you and your family.

What Does a PrePlan Include in North Carolina?

A funeral plan can be set up through a funeral home, which will hold your plan on file until it is needed. Funeral plans allow you to make decisions about the details of your funeral in advance. This includes choosing the type of service, location, and any specific religious or cultural traditions you wish to incorporate.

By pre-planning, you ensure that your wishes are clearly documented and can be carried out exactly as you envisioned.

Prepaid Funeral Planning Offers Financial Benefits

One of the main benefits of a prepaid funeral plan is financial.

By paying for the funeral services in advance, you lock in the current prices, protecting yourself and your family from future price increases due to inflation. This can be a significant saving, as funeral costs tend to rise over time.

The payment can be made in a lump sum or through a series of monthly payments, depending on what works best for your financial situation. You can choose to pay for your plan in advance, ensuring that all costs are covered and your family will not have to deal with any financial stress when the time comes.

By securing a prepaid funeral plan, you not only lock in today’s prices for various funeral services but also protect your family from future price increases. However, you can only lock in today’s prices once you’ve paid for your plan in full.

Prepaid funeral plans often cover essential costs such as:

Funeral ceremony
Burial, cremation, or aquamation services
Administrative fees
Transportation
Death certificate fees

Talk with your locally owned funeral home for help setting up your preplans.

Preplanning Funeral Costs

Understanding the costs involved in a funeral service is crucial for effective planning. The average funeral in North Carolina can vary widely depending on the choices you make, from the type of casket or urn to the venue for the memorial service.

It’s important to discuss your options with your funeral service provider and consider the benefits of different plans, whether it’s a pre-need insurance policy or setting up a prepaid funeral plan with a local funeral home.

By doing so, you ensure that your final wishes are honored without leaving your loved ones to withdraw money from their savings or a joint bank account to cover the actual cost of your funeral.

Estate Planning With a PrePlan

Additionally, a prepaid funeral plan can be part of your estate planning. Funeral expenses can be funded through various means, such as an interest-bearing account, an irrevocable trust, or an insurance policy specifically designed to cover funeral costs.

However, each of these types of funds have their pros and cons. Many funeral homes don’t recommend using typical life insurance policies for funeral planning. This has to do with the off-chance that the medical examiner will not sign off on the cause of death. If this happens, the life insurance policy will not pay until the medical examiner signs off. This can create issues for the funeral homes and the family.

Talking with a funeral director before funding an account or buying a policy can help you make the best decisions for your situation.

A prepaid funeral plan ensures that the funds are available when needed and that they are protected from being used for other purposes.

Preplanning your funeral in North Carolina is a thoughtful and practical step towards ensuring your end-of-life wishes are respected while also easing the burden on your loved ones.

By taking the time to plan ahead, you provide them with the gift of clarity and financial security, allowing them to focus on celebrating your life and cherishing the memories they shared with you.

Personalization and Flexibility Built-in

A prepaid funeral plan also allows for flexibility and personalization. You can specify the details of your service, such as the type of ceremony, the casket or urn, burial or cremation, and any other personal touches you wish to include.

This level of detail ensures that your funeral will be a true reflection of your life and preferences.

Get Started On Your End-of-Life Planning

Arranging a prepaid funeral plan is a thoughtful and practical way to manage your end-of-life arrangements. It provides peace of mind, knowing that your wishes will be honored and your loved ones will be spared the stress and financial burden of planning a funeral during an already difficult time.

By taking these steps now, you can ensure that everything is taken care of and that your final farewell is exactly as you envisioned.

Important Facts About Preneed Accounts in NC

The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (NCBFS) holds all funeral prepaid plans. A $20 filing fee guarantees their performance.
Funds received for preplans stay in a third-party financial institution.
Funds received for preplans are never owned by the funeral home. The purchaser of the plan is the owner of the prepaid account. The funeral home is listed only as a beneficiary of the account and receives the funds ONLY upon death.
You can create your prepaid plan with a bank account, annuity, or insurance policy. North Carolina funeral homes can ONLY collect those funds after the death has occurred. This ensures that the funds will be protected and available when services are needed.
You may request an inflation-proof designation that locks in selected services and merchandise at the current date’s price. However, this can usually only be done if the policy is in an insurance-funded account that you open with the funeral home and pay in full. In this case, the funeral home takes the risk that the investment growth will keep up with inflation and increased costs.
Prepaid funeral plans are transferable If you move to another city or state or if you simply want to choose another funeral home, you may do so. Even at the time of need, the full amount of the account can be used to pay for services at another funeral home.
You may also set aside additional money for other funeral-related expenses, such as flowers, cemetery fees, clergy honorarium, obituaries, or catering.
You may choose to sign a preneed contract as a revocable or irrevocable trust. Many individuals choose the irrevocable option. These funds are exempt from being counted as assets when applying for Medicaid assistance.
the NC Board of Funeral Service audits all funeral home prepaid accounts frequently. This audit reports any value changes of existing accounts and reports changes to the NC Board of Funeral Service.

Get Started With Creating Your Preplan Today

At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we offer a comprehensive and compassionate approach to funeral preplanning.

Our experienced team is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process, ensuring that your end-of-life wishes are clearly documented and honored.

Talking About End-of-Life Plans

We understand that discussing and planning your funeral can be a sensitive and emotional experience, which is why we strive to provide a supportive environment where you feel comfortable and informed.

At Renaissance, Preplans Include Everything You Need

Our preplanning services include detailed consultations where we explore all aspects of your desired funeral arrangements, from the type of ceremony and location to specific personal touches that reflect your life and values.

Whether you are considering a traditional burial, cremation, or the environmentally friendly option of aquamation, we will help you understand all available options and make informed decisions that suit your needs and budget.

Flexible Payment Arrangements

We also offer flexible payment options for prepaid funeral plans. However, with the flexible payment plans, we can’t lock in today’s prices until you have paid in full.

By taking advantage of our preplanning services, you can ensure that all administrative details, such as death certificate fees and memorial service arrangements, are handled in advance.

Your foresight not only brings you peace of mind but also significantly relieves your family during their time of grief.

Get In Touch Today to Get Started on Your Plans

To get started with your preplan, simply reach out to us by phone or email to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable funeral directors. Let us help you create a personalized plan that honors your life and provides a lasting legacy of care and consideration for your loved ones.

At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we are here to support you every step of the way in planning a meaningful and memorable farewell