Pre-Need Information

The process of making plans for your own funeral - or that of a loved one - well in advance of need is called Preplanning. Planning ahead gives us the opportunity to prepare for future events of importance to us and those we love. It also makes sense to plan for that which is inevitable. Funeral preplanning includes writing out and setting up a permanent record of your wishes. The written expression of your thinking as to the type of service, burial location and other details are very important, along with your written record of vital statistics. Many people also choose to pay for their funeral in advance. To pre-fund is an option that more people are choosing because it allows you to consider cost-effective options at a time when you are better prepared to make sound, fiscally responsible decisions.

Our funeral home works with an FDIC insured organization, PrePlan, which holds deposited pre-need funds in trust for individuals where the funds gain interest. PrePlan accounts are set up in conjunction with an itemization from the funeral home detailing someones desires for funeral services. If your wishes change over the years, changes can be made to your information on file with both the funeral home and PrePlan. The funeral home does not have access to any funds until a certified death certificate is submitted to PrePlan. Accounts are easily transferable to other funeral homes using the PrePlan system in the event of relocation. 
More information on PrePlan is available from our directors, or you can visit www.preplan.org 

Your family and funeral director will know exactly what your wishes are and you will have the opportunity to research and really think about your options rather than your family trying to make these important decisions at difficult time. We plan all other important events in our lives, like weddings, graduations, etc. Planning a funeral in advance provides the same benefits and peace of mind as planning other important events.

Pre-Needs are easily transferable between funeral homes. New York State laws require all monies for Pre-Need funding be placed into FDIC insured interest bearing accounts within 10 days of being received. Your funds are yours and yours alone.

The two separate forms of Pre-Need contracts are as follows;

Revocable: All monies deposited into this account are able to be withdrawn by the authorized family representative in addition to further monies being further deposited at any time.

Irrevocable: In this scenario, the contract is converted once the beneficiary starts receiving state aid by placement in a nursing home or going under Hospice care. The Irrevocable contract and funds do not count against a Medicaid spend-down. This is a way the state allows for funding for final expenses. Only items planned in the original contract can be purchased with the funds; no additional items/services can be selected after the contract is signed. Additionally, in the event of a overage in the irrevocable account after payment for funeral expenses, any funds remaining are sent to the county in which care was provided.