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What Happens if Funeral Costs Increase After I Pay for My Funeral Plan?

August 30, 2024

The answer to that question depends on several different factors. Who did you pay? What were the terms of your agreement? It is ALWAYS a good idea to ask this question BEFORE you enter into an agreement. It is also ALWAYS a good idea to check in with the funeral home of your choice BEFORE you make any financial decision regarding payment of your funeral in advance. Because the funeral home will be the service provider, they will have options that others (final expense insurance, standard life insurance, savings accounts) cannot possibly offer. 

 

This is because the scope of the funeral home’s offering is tighter. You will be funding just the cost of your funeral. The funeral home will most likely have the best option for payment of the funeral in advance. In most cases, you will be offered the opportunity to “cost guarantee” all of the goods and services provided directly by the funeral home.

 

This means the services, including the transfer of the deceased into the care of the funeral home, the preparation of the body, the funeral service, and the products, such as the casket and vault provided by the funeral home, will be protected from inflation. In this case, if the cost of the funeral increases after you pay for your funeral, the funeral home will provide the services and products agreed to, even if the funding mechanism falls short of current prices. There will be no additional cost to your family.

 

So, while funding your funeral at the funeral home will not provide funds for end-of-life medical expenses or a cruise for the mourners, it will pay for the funeral you selected. Funeral homes offer plans that pay for funerals because that is all they are providing, and they offer the best plans for this purpose. 

 

Often you will hear or read that you cannot transfer your plan to another funeral provider or change your plan if your needs change. That is just not true. Ask your funeral provider before you purchase a funeral plan. Get all of your questions answered. Your local funeral home has someone on staff who will be pleased to answer all of your questions and help you find the solution that best fits your wants, your family’s needs, and your budget.



www.vittstermeranderson.com

Can Catholics Be Cremated and What To Do with the Cremains?

January 23, 2025
Final disposition is a personal choice. For many, their choice is guided by their religion, with many faiths having rules and restrictions about the proper way to spend forever. For many years, final disposition meant burial for Catholics, but what’s allowed today? Can Catholics be cremated? And, if so, are there rules on how to handle a cremated loved one?

I Want to be Cremated but my Spouse Does Not. Can we Still be Buried Together?

January 23, 2025
Choosing to spend eternity together is a beautiful way to show that the love between you and your partner does not end with your passing. When you pick out a burial plot in a cemetery, you’re deciding on a space where you can continue to be in one another’s company after your time together in this world has passed.

Finding the Right Words: Comforting Tips for Funeral Attendees

January 23, 2025
Finding the right words to express your feelings during such a deeply emotional time can feel daunting, and there is often a fear of saying something that might inadvertently cause more pain. We want to reassure you that your efforts to convey sympathy and your decision to be present are already profoundly supportive. In this guide, we'll provide you with straightforward advice to help alleviate some of this anxiety, ensuring that your words are both comforting and appropriate.

What are the Catholic Burial Rites?

January 8, 2025
When we say goodbye to the people we love, we often have certain traditions. Some of these traditions come from our families, but for many people, the faith they had in life informs the way their spirits are given a final farewell. When it comes to the Catholic faith, the Church offers a purposeful way to say goodbye, one that strengthens their bond with God and the community’s faith in Christ. This tradition is called the Catholic funeral rites or the Catholic burial rites, which contain three vital parts.

Death Care in America – The Birth of the Funeral Profession

January 8, 2025
Today, our options have multiplied. We can choose to be embalmed, cremated, or buried. We can choose to have a faith-based service or a secular celebration of life. We can choose to have an almost immediate burial, or we can wait for a more convenient time. We can even choose to have a home-based funeral service. Regardless of how we decide to say good-bye to our loved ones, we have access to the guidance of caring professionals: our local funeral directors, who operate under the guidelines and legal requirements of the state in which we reside.

Dressing for a Funeral: Comfort, Respect, and What to Wear

January 7, 2025
Attending a funeral is one of those things that makes everyone pause, not just because of the emotional weight, but also the big question: "What do I wear?" Let’s discuss.

Embracing Family in Funeral Planning

January 7, 2025
When it comes time to say goodbye to a loved one, the focus of the funeral often naturally falls on the family. It's the people who loved and knew the deceased best—spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, and even coworkers—who come together to remember and honor their life. After all, a funeral serves primarily those who survive; it is a rite that helps us shift our focus from the circumstances of death to celebrating the life that was lived.

What’s the Difference Between Entombment and Interment

December 20, 2024
There’s a lot to consider when looking for either your or your loved one’s final resting place, to the point that it can be easy to get overwhelmed. The decision only becomes more complicated when you’re met with unfamiliar vernacular. One choice you may have to make is between entombment or interment. But what exactly do those terms mean? And what’s the difference between interment and entombment?

What is a Retort? Is it the Same as a Crematory?

November 20, 2024
The world of funeral homes can be filled with unfamiliar terminology, and keeping track of it all gets confusing. Talking about cremation is no exception. So, what does it mean when someone says that they’re going to a crematory? What about a retort? Are those the same thing? Let’s break down the difference between these locations that are crucial to the cremation process.

When Should I Start Thinking About Planning My Own Funeral?

November 20, 2024
Not everyone preplans their funeral, but doing so is a gift to your loved ones. By doing so, you’re allowing your family to grieve in peace without having to worry about the hundreds of decisions that accompany the funeral-planning process. You’re also giving your family peace of mind by telling them your wishes for your funeral and final disposition. Since they know what you would have wanted, they won’t have to worry about whether or not they’re making the right choices.
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