Allowing you to pre-arrange your funeral in advance is one of the many services offered by our funeral homes. It allows you to select for yourself exactly what services and funeral merchandise you feel is appropriate for you. This offers you the peace of mind of knowing that your wishes will be carried out in addition to relieving your family from the responsibility of making the decisions at the time of need.
Funeral planning is often difficult for individuals to consider. Many wait until there is an imminent need. We hear families say, "I wish we would have sought help before this happened."
Now, more than ever, it is important to plan ahead. Dealing with government agencies and insurance benefits can be frustrating and complicated. For example, did you know that each year millions of dollars in government and insurance benefits go unclaimed? It's unfortunate that many times the family does not have the information needed to claim benefits. Planning ahead protects your family's long-term security.
Frequently Asked Questions
How expensive is a funeral?
The cost of a funeral depends on what you prefer. There are many services to choose from and a wide selection of caskets, vaults and other memorials. Advance planning also helps you prepare for the expense and permits you to set aside the funds over a period of time.
What if I move away?
In most cases, your funeral plans may be transferred or cancelled for a full refund if at any time you should move 50 or more miles from our locations. We can even recommend a reputable funeral home in your new community. Through pre-arrangement, you can be confident your wishes will be fulfilled wherever you may live.
What if I die away from home?
If you are traveling or visiting another city when death occurs, your survivors should contact one of our funeral homes immediately. We will make the necessary arrangements with a funeral home in that location to assist with transfer.
What type of service do most families select?
Most people prefer a traditional funeral. However, we offer many other choices to make the service meaningful to the family. Memorial services, special music requests, cremation, military and fraternal tributes are just a few of the options we make available. We honor any special preferences or requests.
What do you mean by "Advanced Planning”?
Advanced Planning simply means that you sit down with one of our experienced Advanced Planning Advisors and plan your funeral details in advance.
How does it work?
Our Advanced Planning Advisor will assist you in completing the vital statistic information required at the time of need, discuss the options you have in making a selection of the goods and services you choose, and explain the options of funding the service. They can show you funding options from current income as opposed to being confronted with the total cost at one time. We will then file the information for you to avoid the family from having to make the necessary arrangements and answer the questions required on the worse day of their life.
Why should I consider Advanced Planning of a funeral NOW?
In some cases, surviving family members make emotional decisions in their time of bereavement that result in spending more on a funeral than the deceased would consider wise. By arranging the details of the funeral service in advance, you can prevent such emotional overspending. By pre-funding, you stabilize the cost of goods and services at today's prices.
What do you mean "freeze the cost?"
Inflation is pushing funeral costs upward just like everything else. But with Advanced Planning, you pay for your funeral service in advance, you are guaranteed that the services, the type of casket and all other components you have selected will be supplied at the prices prevailing today ... not at inflated future prices.
How do I do that?
There are a variety of pre-funding options available. Your Advanced Planning Advisor would welcome the opportunity to sit down and go through these with you.
The plan sounds great, but I have life insurance?
Because your family will primarily use your life insurance benefits for living expenses and perhaps for your final medical and other expenses. Our pre-funding options means that funeral costs won't have to be taken from their income. It's really a matter of thoughtfulness.
Where can I get more specific information about this plan?
You can telephone us or you can fill in the online form. One of our Advanced Planning Advisors will call you to arrange an appointment in our offices or your home. Use our easy to fill out form to get started.
Are there any State regulations for Pre-Need providers?
Yes, Texas law requires sellers of prepaid funeral contracts to hold a permit issued by the Texas Department of Banking. Do not contract with any seller who does not hold a valid permit. To view a list of sellers that have permits or for additional information regarding prepaid funeral contracs, go to the website located at:
www.prepaidfunerals.state.tx.us or contact the Texas Department of Banking at:
2601 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas 78705 1.877.276.5554 www.banking.state.tx.us