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Pre-Planning For a Funeral
By Henry Dahut
Many Americans are coming to view the planning of their
own funerals as a part of estate planning. Such planning
may or may not involve pre-paying for the arrangements.
As a point of reference, life expectancies are rising in
this country. Based on National Vital Statistics data,
men can expect to live for 73.8 years, while women are
living for roughly 79.5 years.
Pre-planning affords you the opportunity to shop around
for the best prices, the best services and a funeral
home that suits you. Many people, particularly those who
are ill and know that death is imminent, may find the
process brings a sense of relief, of tidying up, of
control. They may also decide to sign advance
directives, documentation that authorizes another to
make medical and financial decisions for them should
they become incapacitated.
Remember that the Funeral Rule states that consumers
have the right to choose the goods and services they
want, subject to state law, and to decline others. The
funeral home must recognize these rights in writing.
Pre-planning a funeral
A recent Worthlin Worldwide report on American Attitudes
Toward Ritualization and Memorialization found that
while 84% of those surveyed indicated that they'd prefer
to plan their own funerals, only a quarter of had
actually made any arrangements. The study was based on
interviews with more women (60%) than men, noting that
women are known to be the primary decision-makers when
it comes to memorialization.
Many of us find ourselves faced with the unexpected
death of a close friend or family member -- and don't
know what to do. We tend to avoid discussing the
logistics of death, which leaves us ill prepared if
called upon to cope.
It's not enough to make arrangements for your funeral:
you have to tell people that you've done so. If no one
knows of the plans you've diligently made and the
services you've paid for, there's a real risk that your
family may make -- and pay for -- their own
arrangements. Don't let that happen. Make at least a
couple of people aware of what you want and any
instructions and related information. Write it all down.
Grieving family members, hastily gathered and swamped
with organizational details, don't want to be arguing
about their recollections of your final wishes.
It's not a good idea to put such instructions with your
will; a will is often not found, or not read, for a few
weeks after a death.
More To Know
* Pre-planning - what you need to know
* Pre-planning - leaving instructions
* Pre-paying for funeral arrangements
* Disputes
Copyright GotTrouble.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Henry Dahut is an attorney and marketing strategist who
works with some of the largest law firms in the world.
He is the author of the best selling practice
development book, "Marketing The Legal Mind" and offers
consulting services in the area of strategic branding
and law firm marketing. Henry is also the founder of the
legal online help-portal http://www.GotTrouble.com - the
award winning site that helps people through serious
legal and financial trouble. |
