Are Prepaid Funerals Really the Way to Go?

Or is Your Decision Going to Cause Your Family Even More Grief?

Prepaid funerals have long been promoted as being the ideal solution to a sensitive situation. Arrange and pay for your funeral in advance, and you can choose your own casket, make your own arrangements, they're quick and easy to set-up, and, prepaid funerals save surviving family members
 the hassle of making decisions, especially while they're in the initial stage of grief. But, are prepaid funerals really beneficial? Or, are they just another legal way to scam you and your loved ones out of money? Read this informative article and find out the answer to the important question, "Are prepaid funerals really the way to go?"

The Three Main Reasons People Choose Prepaid Funerals
The Supposed Benefits Can Actually Be Drawbacks

1. You Can Make Your Own Arrangements
You can choose what cemetery you'll be buried at, choose your own casket, prepay for your plot, decide what clothing you want to be buried in, pick the type of flowers you want, et cetera, when you choose a prepaid funeral. However, you can do the same thing in the form of a Last Will and Testament. State your last wishes- as detailed as you want them to be- and your family will know what you want when you pass on. It will then be up to your administrator to carry out your final wishes. It's usually as simple as that. You can spare your grieving family from making decisions by specifying them in your Last Will and Testament.

Are prepaid funerals really the way to go? A drawback is, once you sign the contract for a prepaid funeral, you can change your mind, but you can't always change the arrangements. You may not be able to cancel the contract either if you change your mind. If the prepaid funeral plan you've chosen does allow you to terminate it, you'll probably be charged a penalty fee.

On the other hand, you can change a will as many times as you wish. In fact, wills are designed to be modified. As your life changes and evolves, your will will probably need updated several times.

 
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Great article that raises many things to think about. My comment is all the "professional" advice is biased. An attorney is naturally gonna recommend a will to state your wishes. A life insurance person will suggest permanent or term insurance. Investment people suggest investments. Facts: life insurance can and probably would be more expensive to purchase than a preplanned insurance policy with a COLI or CPI feature. People usually purchase pre arraingement plans @ 50 + years old. Check the cost for life insurance at that age. Remember, many folks take maintenance drugs at that age which cause insurance premiums to be higher. Try purchasing $10,000 death benefit "permanent insurance". It doesn't exist. Investments can gain and loose money. Usually no gaurantees plus tax factors must be considered. There is no magic bullet. All of these are "product purchase" good ideas but you must factor in all the details to make an apples to apples comparison. If done correctly, I b

Posted on 06/03/2008 at 11:06:03 AM

My Dad, now 91, has prepared his.

Posted on 12/16/2007 at 7:12:55 AM

Difficult topic, but thanks a lot for writing this! Really makes you think. Great article!

Posted on 12/15/2007 at 5:12:53 PM

Very interesting and informative. Terrific points you presented on this very important topic.

Posted on 12/15/2007 at 4:12:07 PM

There is a lot to think about with a prepaid funeral. It sounded like a good idea at the start of your article, but then as I read more I realised that it isn't such a great idea after all. Sophie

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 8:12:09 PM

Great topic!

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 7:12:05 PM

Very informative article! This is definitely an article everyone should read.

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 5:12:43 PM

great article and very informative indeed.thanks

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 4:12:17 PM

Excellent, informative article. I had heard of pre paid funeral plans but wasn't fully aware of the drawbacks.

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 3:12:10 PM

Wow! Very, very informative Kassidy. I imagine many learn the hard way as your friend did, people tend to expect honesty in this situation. I wasn't aware of this myself though know scams don't end at death. 5 stars!

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 3:12:16 PM

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