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

November 12, 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.billowfuneralhomes.com

What Are Burial Vaults and Grave Liners and Why Do I Have to Buy Them?

February 4, 2025
When saying goodbye to someone you love, you have a multitude of decisions to make. Some you might be prepared for, while other questions are new to you. One topic that many people are unfamiliar with is the concept of burial vaults and grave liners, which you may have to have in your loved one’s final resting place.

Food and Funerals: The Comfort of Sharing a Meal

February 4, 2025
Food not only nourishes the body but also comforts the soul, making it a significant part of funeral traditions. Offering food signifies care and supports the healing journey during such tough times.

Understanding Funeral Costs: A Guide to Planning with Care

January 8, 2025
When the time comes to think about funeral arrangements, one of the first questions many of us have is, "How much will it cost?" It’s natural to look for a straightforward answer during such an emotionally charged time. However, much like finding the perfect car, the cost of a funeral varies widely depending on personal choices and specific needs.

What Is the Purpose of Embalming?

January 8, 2025
Embalming can be a controversial topic. Some people are opposed to it, whether due to personal or religious reasons, but for others, embalming is an important part of starting their grief journey and getting a chance to say goodbye to the person they love.

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

January 8, 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 8, 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.

When Someone Dies, Someone Else Feels Lonely

December 3, 2024
The loneliness that accompanies the death of someone we care about is complex and individual. For those who, for many years, woke every morning alongside a husband or wife, it is strange to open your eyes and realize you’re alone. In the early days of grief, the void that is left when a life partner dies can feel like a black hole with no way out.

I’m Lonely: When is Too Soon to Start Dating?

November 12, 2024
The answer to this question depends on who you ask. Queen Victoria famously mourned Prince Albert by wearing black for the remainder of her life, forty years. The fictional character Scarlet O’Hara in the novel Gone With the Wind scandalized her peers by dancing with a bachelor at a charity event while “still in black.”

After the Death of a Spouse: 10 Things to Do BEFORE You Start Dating

November 12, 2024
Slow down and commit to investing some time in getting ready to date. A little preparation work will help you protect your safety, have a more pleasurable dating experience, and possibly avoid heartbreak.

Make Sure the Tough Days Are Covered

November 12, 2024
Supporting a friend who is grieving requires staying power. In the first few weeks and days following the funeral, our thoughts are full of our friend. But often, as the weeks become months, our friend’s need is less acute, and our own routine calls us. We forget.
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