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Frequently Asked

Presented here are questions and responses that we commonly receive at the funeral home. We will occasionally update this and include any new questions that we feel would be helpful to others.

If you have a question that has not been covered in this site we would like to hear from you. You may use the "Ask the Director" section of our site to forward your question or comments to us.

If you would prefer to call us on the telephone, our staff would be pleased to provide an answer to any funeral related matter you may have. If we do not have the answer immediately, we will find it for you and contact you the minute the information is in our hands.

1. What Are The Advantages Of Pre-planning?
 
2. Do I Have To Prepay For My Funeral Now?
 
3. What Payment Options Are Available?
 
4. What Happens If Funeral Prices Increase?
 
5. Are My Prepaid Funeral Funds Secure?
 
6. Why Do Funerals Seem So Expensive?
 

Question #1What Are The Advantages Of Pre-planning?

Answer:There are three major advantages to planning your arrangements in advance.
First, pre-planning ensures that all of your final wishes will be fulfilled. Because death is a difficult subject to discuss, often times your true wishes may not be known or fully understood by your family
Second, pre-planning can eliminate the financial burden that a funeral might pose on your survivors. And by prepaying, your funeral will cost less now than it would in the future.
Third, pre-planning provides you and your family with the peace-of-mind in knowing that everything has been "taken care of" in the manner you specified. It's the best gift you can leave your loved ones.

Question #2Do I Have To Prepay For My Funeral Now?
Answer:No. Many people just want to have their final arrangements known in advance, even decide upon the type of ceremony and casket, without actually paying for these items.  Getting your wishes down in writing is the most important thing. That way, there is no confusion about your intentions at the time of your death.

Question #3What Payment Options Are Available?
Answer:While most people pre-pay for their funeral in one lump sum, you can also set up a payment plan that is convenient for you.  Alternatively, you may use the current value of your existing life insurance to pay for your funeral without ever having to cash in the policy.  In this case, funeral expenses are not guaranteed against inflation and you family will pay prices that are in effect at the time of your funeral.  

Question #4What Happens If Funeral Prices Increase?
Answer:By prepaying for your arrangements, you can lock in your service at today's lower price.  Once your funeral is paid for, we guarantee, in writing, that the total price of our services and merchandise selected will never increase.  This clearly makes preplanning a financially wise decision.  You should be aware, that not all funeral homes offer a "lock in" price guarantee.

Question #5Are My Prepaid Funeral Funds Secure?
Answer:Any funds we receive toward a prepaid funeral are placed into an Irrevocable Trust account, in accordance with Massachusetts state law. This Trust is insured and the funds gain interest, which we maintain in the account to offset future price increases.  We pay all taxes and administrative fees each year for you.  No one can access these funds or cancel the Trust.  By Federal and State law, the funds can only be used to perform the service you selected and may be withdrawn only by a licensed funeral establishment at the time of your death.

Question #6Why Do Funerals Seem So Expensive?
Answer:When compared to other major life cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive.  A wedding costs at least three times as much; but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.); these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral.  Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but the services of a funeral director and their staff in making arrangements, filing appropriate forms, dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers and others; and overseeing all the necessary details.

24 Worthen St. | CHELMSFORD, MA 01824 | Phone: (978) 256-5251 | Fax: (978) 244-1460 | Email: blakefh@comcast.net