Pre Planning Your Funeral
A funeral and the bereavement that goes with it will affect a family and loved ones both emotionally and financially. But with a little forethought and pre planning and even pre paying, there is an opportunity to relieve some of the burdens from those closest to you. With the help of a professional funeral director, it is really like writing out your will. Not sad and somber, just basic, direct and honoring your wishes.
Most retirement plans put too much emphasis on money issues and don’t focus enough on the need to manage healthcare and funeral needs in a way that keeps retirees in control when ill health and other problems arise.
The Web site http://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-us/index.page gives assistance in preplanning final arrangements with over 1800 licensed providers in North America..
If you are worried that you could be unable to make informed decisions because of some debilitating illness or stroke, you can avoid this terrible predicament by executing a living will or health-care directive and a medical power of attorney for health care.
These documents will ensure that important decisions will be in the hands of those who you so designate. The person you choose should be someone you trust absolutely, perhaps a member of your family, a close friend, or attorney. Remember that the person you choose may have to fight with others who do not agree with your directives, so pick someone who is strong enough to fight for your wishes. Choose someone who lives near to you as it is possible that this individual might have to spend a good deal of time supervising the medical decisions that are being made, and traveling from a distance could prove extremely difficult.
It is also a good idea to execute a durable power of attorney for finances to manage your finances in case you are unable to act. Once again, choose someone who is knowledgeable in this area, who lives nearby, and who is strong enough to fight for your directives. This person must also understand your health-care wishes to avoid any possibilities of a conflict.
Most retirement plans put too much emphasis on money issues and don’t focus enough on the need to manage healthcare and funeral needs in a way that keeps retirees in control when ill health and other problems arise.
The Web site http://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-us/index.page gives assistance in preplanning final arrangements with over 1800 licensed providers in North America..
If you are worried that you could be unable to make informed decisions because of some debilitating illness or stroke, you can avoid this terrible predicament by executing a living will or health-care directive and a medical power of attorney for health care.
These documents will ensure that important decisions will be in the hands of those who you so designate. The person you choose should be someone you trust absolutely, perhaps a member of your family, a close friend, or attorney. Remember that the person you choose may have to fight with others who do not agree with your directives, so pick someone who is strong enough to fight for your wishes. Choose someone who lives near to you as it is possible that this individual might have to spend a good deal of time supervising the medical decisions that are being made, and traveling from a distance could prove extremely difficult.
It is also a good idea to execute a durable power of attorney for finances to manage your finances in case you are unable to act. Once again, choose someone who is knowledgeable in this area, who lives nearby, and who is strong enough to fight for your directives. This person must also understand your health-care wishes to avoid any possibilities of a conflict.
Funeral Costs
|
Non-declinable basic service fee
Removal/transfer of remains to funeral home Embalming Other preparations of the body Use of facilities/staff viewing Use of facilities/staff for funeral ceremony Use of hearse, other vehicles Basic memorial printed package Metal casket Total cost Source: National Funeral Directors Association |
$1,595
$233 $550 $203 $406 $463 $371 $119 $1,128 $7,323 |