When you think about the future, what comes to mind? For many people, prepaid cremation plans are a part of their long-term strategy. Prepaid cremations can provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Here’s what you need to know about prepaid cremations and how they work.
What is a Prepaid Cremation Plan?
A prepaid cremation plan is a contract between you and a funeral home where you pay for the cremation services in advance— paying in advance locks in the current price. You can make a prepaid funeral plan along with your prepaid cremation plan.
The state of North Carolina holds onto any monies in trust until you pass away. If you move to another state, you may transfer your funds. The funeral home does not receive the funds until it is time. When you die, the prepaid funeral arrangements kick in, and your loved ones don’t have to worry about anything. Your family members skip worrying about a death certificate, casket, transportation of your body, and more!
Benefits of Prepaid Cremation Services
A prepaid cremation plan can give you peace of mind knowing that your loved ones won’t have to worry about money when you’re gone. Many families take out loans to pay for a funeral when no one prepares in advance.
When you make your own arrangements, your family no longer bears that financial burden. Your preplan is a way to give one last gift to your loved ones!
In addition, a prepaid plan locks in the current price of services. So, if cremation costs go up in the future, your loved ones will not have to pay more. You will have already taken care of everything needed!
Planning ahead can also save your family members from having to make difficult decisions at an emotional time. Your plans give your family more time to grieve without worrying about making arrangements or dealing with paperwork.
Instead, your loved ones can gather together without worrying about what you may have wanted. They may mourn in peace, knowing you worked everything out for them.
Choosing a Direct Cremation Provider
Cremation providers often work as a separate entity from your funeral provider. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a local funeral home who also offers cremation in-house. Everything about planning for cremation service is easier when working with a local place that also provides cremation.
With a direct cremation provider, you can know that you won’t end up shipped around to other companies. With one cremation provider and funeral home in one place, you can know that they will handle everything.
You may want to save money by using a national chain. However, low-cost providers often can’t accommodate the family’s schedule for a service or burial. For example, if you need to have the cremated remains (cremains) for a Friday Memorial service, they may not get them back to you until Monday! Low-cost corporate chains operate on their schedule, and it’s all about their bottom line!
To select wisely, check out reviews online and visit the funeral home’s website. Once you find a place you like, give them a call or stop by to talk with a funeral director and discuss your options.
When you meet, ask about the prepaid cremation plans they offer. They’ll also answer any additional questions you may have. A funeral home offering everything you need can help you plan almost everything in one visit!
Once everything is taken care of, you can rest easy knowing that your prepaid cremation plan is in place.
What About a Prepaid Funeral or Memorial Service?
The options are all up to you when you plan ahead! You can plan a prepaid funeral, memorial, or celebration of life at the same time you plan your cremation. In addition, when using a cremation provider who allows family members to participate in the cremation process, you can include final wishes for them to be there at the time of cremation.
Working with a funeral home director can help you make the best choices about everything, including:
Choice of Venue
Often families will choose the funeral home chapel for their services. Some funeral homes will include this as part of a cremation package. A funeral home with direct cremation and chapel use as part of your package will offer the best overall value.
Receptions or Other Gatherings
Your funeral director can help you choose what will work best for your family’s unique traditions and values. You may decide to sponsor an event at a beloved museum or park. Or, you can plan for a gathering of the close family after the memorial service. It’s all up to you when you plan ahead!
Visitations and Wakes
If you decide to have a traditional funeral service with a casket, you may choose to schedule a wake the evening before your funeral. A wake or visitation is a time for family and friends to visit your open or closed casket and say their goodbyes. Many families in North Carolina consider this a traditional part of an end-of-life plan.
Urns, Caskets, and Burial
You may choose for your ashes to remain in an urn at one of your family member’s homes. Or you may select several smaller containers for your family to receive. Or, you may want your family to spread your ashes at sea, in a park, or a cemetery. Other options include an urn placed at a cemetery, a moratorium niche, or a cremains burial.
With a burial, you may also choose a cemetery plot and prepay. With a cemetery plot, you can invite funeral-goers to a graveside service with your casket present. You may also select a speaker to come and say final words or ask your funeral home’s chaplain to officiate.
Cremation Jewelry or Other Memorial Items
In our times, you may work with companies who create jewelry or other beautiful works of art from cremains (ashes left after cremation). From diamonds to beads to etched phonograph records, you can choose from many cremains gifts for your family or close friends.
Prepaid Cremation Cost
The cost of prepaid cremation services depends on your provider, chosen services, and their package offerings. Your prepaid cremation cost is lower when working with one funeral service provider.
You can feel confident about your prepaid cremation services plan when you work with a cremation provider who also provides funeral arrangements.
With everything included in your package, your funeral costs and other expenses are lower. Why worry about funeral expenses in addition to other prepaid cremation costs when you can work with one provider who handles it all?
Working with a trusted funeral home director can help you understand your options and make the best choices for your prepaid cremation plan.
Preparing For the Future
Thinking about your future can feel uncomfortable, but preparing ahead of time can make the process easier for your loved ones. A prepaid cremation plan is one way you can make your wishes known and take care of the arrangements in advance.
When you work with a funeral home offering direct cremations, you can ensure they will handle everything when the time comes.
We Can Help
When you’re ready to start planning, we hope you’ll consider us here at Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory. We’ve been helping families in North Carolina plan their prepaid direct cremations for decades, and we are a third-generation family-run funeral home! Give us a call or stop by today to learn more about how we can help you prepare!
