Sunday, November 12, 2006
An Easy Way Out: Eight Reasons Why You Should Pre-Plan Your Funeral
Editor's note: As morbid as it is, another important topic for us older folks is estate planning so my next few entries will relate to that subject. My wife died intestate. She also didn't have any living will or anything like that set up. When you die intestate, it's a big hassle, not to mention costly from a tax perspective. When you're dying in the hospital, your loved ones are going through enough without having to think about and make decisions about what you'd have wanted. For their sake, make a will and a living will. It's very easy to do and takes very little time. I also think everyone should do their own death planning - pay for your burial or other arrangements in advance. Not only will you then be sure that you'll get what you want, but you'll save your grieving loved ones a lot of, well...grief.
An Easy Way Out: Eight Reasons Why You Should Pre-Plan Your Funeral
Most people want to put off thinking about their funerals. However, you can save your loved ones a good deal of hassle by doing some of the planning in advance. Here are eight reasons why it's a good idea to have a prepaid funeral plan.
1. Your wishes will be carried out.
What you want to happen will take place. This is vitally important to most people.
2. The Funeral Director's costs are fixed from the outset so your family will be spared financial obligations - nothing hidden!
You'll know that your funeral director will not be able to increase their fees agreed with you by contract.
3.You can choose the plan you want and you can specify your own 'extras'.
You can plan your pre-paid funeral plan to your own satisfaction.
4. You spare your family from difficult decisions
Who really wants to make those decisions apart from the person themselves?
5.Your own finances may be improved
You may be entitled to benefits form local authorities if your total finances are below certain levels.
6. You won't worry about the safety of your money - it will be held in trust
You can't pay money directly to the plan provider's bank account.
7. Another family member may need the plan before you
You can transfer the plan to another family member if their need arrives before your own. Some couples buy just one plan and use it for whoever dies first and then buy a second plan, but it's more cost effective to buy two at the start to save money from inflation.
8. Those you leave behind will remember your thoughtfulness
This is very important to most people. When we leave this life we like to think that others thought well of us.
By: Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall is a freelance writer, ghostwriter and editor. For more information on prepaid funeral plans, visit www.silverbirchsolutions.co.uk or contact Sharon at www.doublehdesign.com/
An Easy Way Out: Eight Reasons Why You Should Pre-Plan Your Funeral
Most people want to put off thinking about their funerals. However, you can save your loved ones a good deal of hassle by doing some of the planning in advance. Here are eight reasons why it's a good idea to have a prepaid funeral plan.
1. Your wishes will be carried out.
What you want to happen will take place. This is vitally important to most people.
2. The Funeral Director's costs are fixed from the outset so your family will be spared financial obligations - nothing hidden!
You'll know that your funeral director will not be able to increase their fees agreed with you by contract.
3.You can choose the plan you want and you can specify your own 'extras'.
You can plan your pre-paid funeral plan to your own satisfaction.
4. You spare your family from difficult decisions
Who really wants to make those decisions apart from the person themselves?
5.Your own finances may be improved
You may be entitled to benefits form local authorities if your total finances are below certain levels.
6. You won't worry about the safety of your money - it will be held in trust
You can't pay money directly to the plan provider's bank account.
7. Another family member may need the plan before you
You can transfer the plan to another family member if their need arrives before your own. Some couples buy just one plan and use it for whoever dies first and then buy a second plan, but it's more cost effective to buy two at the start to save money from inflation.
8. Those you leave behind will remember your thoughtfulness
This is very important to most people. When we leave this life we like to think that others thought well of us.
By: Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall is a freelance writer, ghostwriter and editor. For more information on prepaid funeral plans, visit www.silverbirchsolutions.co.uk or contact Sharon at www.doublehdesign.com/
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