Tabone-Komorowski Funeral Home

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Various Stories and Articles on Grief - July 2012

Being Prepared Is Having Peace of Mind

Excerpts Taken From: 

Columbian Life Insurance Company

and

The Ohio Funeral Directors Association Resource Center

     Today, more than ever, people of all ages agree that having thoughtful arrangements in place in advance of a death is certainly a good idea and a responsible thing to do.  These arrangements can include the preparation of a legal will, advance directives for healthcare, the selection and purchase of cemetery property, and the selection of and payment for funeral or memorial arrangements.

     Our family and staff at Tabone-Komorowski Funeral Home and Komorowski Funeral Home have developed a tradition of caring by assisting families with funeral arrangements for many years.  If your family prefers a traditional, formal service, you can find it with us.  If a more casual service in an intimate setting is preferred, you will find that too.  Whatever your wishes, they can be fulfilled in a way which creates a truly memorable service and offers real comfort for family and friends.  We will assist you with the advance selection of and payment options for a meaningful funeral or memorial ceremony to meet your needs.  We will guide you through the choices of caskets, cremation urns, and burial vaults.  Numerous other decisions will also be made at this time with our professional guidance.

What is Pre-Planning?

     There are two phases in pre-planning a funeral:

Pre-Arrangement:  Pre-Arrangement involves the selection of funeral-related services and products.

Pre-Funding:  Pre-Funding means paying for the selected services and products in advance.

Why Pre-Arrange?

-Provides time to plan a ceremony that is meaningful for survivors and reflective of one’s personal wishes.

-Reduces the likelihood of emotional overspending, indecision, and/or possible family conflicts.

Some or all of the following might be a part of the pre-arrangement process:

-Discussing your wishes with family and/or friends.

-Selecting specific funeral services (traditional, graveside, full service cremation, or memorial services.

-Selecting specific funeral products (a casket, outer burial container).

Why Pre-Fund?

-Advanced payment serves as a hedge against inflation by paying for tomorrow’s funeral at today’s prices.

-Protects financial assets in the event of the need to apply for SSI/Medicaid assistance for long-term health care.

-Important aspect of a comprehensive estate plan.

-Provides peace of mind.

     Decisions made in advance may certainly relieve a level of unnecessary concern and eliminate potential burdens for survivors.  Consult with our licensed funeral professionals to decide what is most appropriate for you, your family, and friends.

When to Pre-Plan?

-After any significant transition or lifestyle change (the birth of a child, the death of a family member, and/or before health begins to decline.

-When considering estate planning options (making a will, prior to preparing for any type of public assistance such as Medicaid/Passport).

-When considering senior living options (Independent/Assisted).

Questions our funeral professionals will answer for you:

-Which charges will not increase over time?

-Which charges may increase over time?

-How and where is my money invested?

-How do I know my investment is secure?

-What happens to excess funds, if any?

-Can my funds be transferred?

-Are my funds protected from Medicaid?

-What happens if the merchandise I select is no longer available?

-Will I encounter additional expenses if I choose to involve a second funeral home in another town, city and/or state?

-How will these arrangements be coordinated?

Five questions to ask yourself when considering your own funeral:

-If my death occurred tomorrow, my funeral would be arranged by whom?

a.  My spouse

b.  My son or daughter

c.  More than one of my children

d.  A good friend or neighbor

e.  One or both of my parents.

f.  I’m not sure

-If my death occurred tomorrow, the money needed to pay for my funeral would come from…?

a.  My life insurance

b.  My savings

c.  My children’s savings

d.  A good friend or neighbor

e.  A bank loan taken out by my spouse

f.  I’m not sure

-If my death occurred tomorrow, the funeral I want would include…?

a.  A copper or bronze casket

b.  A hardwood casket

c.  A steel casket

d.  Cremation with a memorial service

e.  My favorite pastor, priest, or rabbi

f.  Visitation for friends and relatives

e.  I’m not sure

-If my death occurred tomorrow, I would expect my funeral to cost…?

a.  Under $1,500.

b.  Between $1,500 and $2,500

c.  Between $2,500 and $3,500

d.  Between $3,500 and $7,500

e.  Over $7,500

f.  No idea

-If my death occurred tomorrow, what would I regret most regarding my final arrangements?

a.  The emotional burden it would place on my survivors.

b.  No one would know what I wanted for myself or for my loved ones.

c.  The financial strain it would cause my survivors.

d.  The possibility of emotional overspending.

e.  The potential for disagreements and conflict among my survivors over what to do.

f.  That I had not taken care of it myself ahead of time.

     These are things all too often that people never get around to talking about…so don’t wait any longer.  Contact us for your pre-arrangement needs.  You can rely on us, we are here to help.