Bradshaw PrePlan refers to the process and many options
available to those who wish to make funeral or cremation
plans in advance. The process of planning ahead includes
(1) making decisions regarding the type of services an individual
prefers and (2) whether or not to put funds aside designated
specifically to cover the costs of final services.
Planning Ahead
Upcoming Seminar..."PrePlan & Pizza" noon to 1PM Wednesday, August 22nd,
2007 at Bradshaw Funeral Home in White Bear (4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear, MN 55127). Seminar includes an educational slide-show presentation on funerals, cremation, and PrePlan while enjoying pizza for lunch.
Refreshments served, free of charge, and open to the public. RSVP's to Linda, at ph 651.407.8300.
Upcoming Seminar..."PrePlan & Pizza" noon to 1PM Wednesday, September 12,
2007 at the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Stillwater (2800 Curve Crest Blvd, Stillwater, MN 55082). Seminar includes an educational slide-show presentation on funerals, cremation, and PrePlan while enjoying pizza for lunch. Note: Tour of the new Columbarium and Memorial Garden to follow. Refreshments served, free of charge, and open to the public.
RSVP's to Karen, at ph 651.439.5511.
Why plan and pay ahead?
Planning a memorial or funeral service within hours of
a death can be a very difficult experience. There are many
details to attend to, and critical decisions must be made,
at a time when people are least able to make them.
Planning a memorial or funeral service ahead of time removes
much of the burden from your family.
When you plan your memorial or funeral service in advance,
or that of another family member, you have an opportunity
to involve other family members and discuss your wishes
with them. And, it allows you and your family the time to
arrange for special and unique ways to acknowledge your
life, or the life of a family member. Once the plans are
made, this information can be put on file with your funeral
director.
When planning ahead it is also important to decide if you
should set aside money to pay for the memorial or funeral
service. There are three primary benefits for paying a memorial
or funeral service ahead of time.
First, there is the peace of mind you get, in knowing your
children, or other family members will not be financially
burdened with the expense of the memorial or funeral service.
Second, by choosing a facility that guarantees the memorial
or funeral service, you have the assurance that the services
you select today, will be provided in the future at no additional
cost.
And
the final benefit to paying ahead for a memorial or funeral
service, is you are able to protect the money from being
used for other things - things that may not be as important
to you. Also, by making the funding irrevocable, the money
can be safeguarded from the costs of a long-term illness.
Not all facilities offer a guaranteed funeral plan, even
when you pay ahead. All Bradshaw facilities offer a service
guarantee.
Knowing everything is taken care of, will give both you
and your family, peace of mind.
If you would like to discuss planning a memorial or funeral
service, or if you would like more information, we can sit
down with you and discuss the choices.
How to plan and pay ahead.
Memorial or funeral services may be planned in advance
by setting up an appointment with your funeral director.
You can meet at the facility, at your home, or at another
location to accommodate others who may wish to join you.
Plans can be very simple, or very detailed. Your plans
can be very simple, with just a few basic ideas of what
you would like for the service, it can be very detailed
- specifying the music, the readings, or other special wishes.
In either case, the funeral director will write down all
the information you have given and keep it on file. If your
wishes change, you can update your file as needed.
There are several ways to pay for a memorial or funeral
service ahead of time.
One way is to sign an existing insurance policy as payment
for the memorial or funeral service. If this is a good option
for you, you can work with your insurance company and funeral
director to make the necessary changes to your policy.
Another method is to set aside money in a trust fund that
will be used exclusively to pay for the memorial or funeral
service.
Another option is to buy an insurance product specifically
dedicated to pre-paying the memorial or funeral service.
There are several insurance companies which offer this type
of insurance. To ensure that you are buying a reputable
produce, consult with your funeral director before purchasing
this type of insurance policy.
If you would like more information, or help deciding which
option of paying ahead for the memorial or funeral service
would be best for you, your funeral director can sit down
with you and discuss the choices. Call with any questions
you may have.
