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Following are the simple steps for a successful funeral program.
PLANNING FOR A FUNERAL
Shop around in advance. Compare prices from at least two funeral homes. Remember that you can supply your own casket or urn.
Ask for a price list. The law requires funeral homes to give you written price lists for products and services. Resist Pressure. To buy goods and services you don't really want or need.
Avoid emotional overspending. It's not necessary to have the fanciest casket or the most elaborate funeral to properly honor a loved one.
Recognize your rights. Laws regarding funerals vary from state to state. It's a smart move to know which goods or services the law requires you to purchase and which are optional.
Apply the same smart shopping techniques you use for other major purchases. You can cut costs by limiting the viewing to one day or one hour before the funeral, and by dressing your loved one in a favorite outfit instead of costly burial clothing.
Plan ahead. It allows you to comparison shop without time constraints, creates an opportunity for family discussion, and lifts some of the burden from your family.
PREPAID FUNERAL CONTRACTS
It is somewhat customary in North America to purchase prepaid funeral contract. A prepaid funeral contract offer a person the opportunity to control the cost and type of funeral service that one desires. If you decide to take a contract, please research the seller and their services. Make sure the contract includes a trust fund created for the proceeds from prepaid contracts through a contract of insurance with an insurance company licensed to do business in your state or that such fund is established at a local bank. Under the normal circumstances once you purchase Such a contract your price of cremation is fixed and it cannot be increased.
LIST OF FUNERAL HOMES
Establish contacts with a few local funeral homes. Such advance negotiations may bring the right price, with no overselling of caskets and other unnecessary extras. In some Canadian Provinces, if a person is receiving social benefit or on Federal pension plan, funeral expenses may be paid from these benefit program. Canadian people should contact the appropriate benefit provider. In the United States, the Social Security Administration provides a lump sum of $255.00 as death
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