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"That which is good to be
done, cannot be done too soon; and if it is
neglected to be done early, it will
frequently happen that it will not be done
at all."
- Bishop Mant
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Pre-Planning
"An act of love, a tender and affectionate
consideration for the needs of your
family".
The death of a loved one is clinically
documented as one of the most difficult and
stressful of life's experiences. Immediately
following a death, there can be as many as 50
important decisions to be made in the planning
of a meaningful funeral service. Therefore, a
suitable funeral service should be planned long
before the time of need when decisions can be
made without extra complications caused by the
psychological and emotional effects of
grief.
What is a Pre-Arranged
Funeral?
- A written funeral plan filed with the
funeral director
- A practical way of determining and
recording an individual's wishes regarding
funeral services in advance
- It is not a difficult or complicated
task
- It is simply an opportunity to
carefully plan your arrangements
- It serves as a guide to family and
friends
- Any type of funeral, whether simple or
elaborate, can be pre-arranged
Why
Pre-Arrange?
There are advantages! Most people plan for
an orderly conclusion to life with a Will,
adequate life insurance benefits and pension
plans. The prearranged funeral is also an
important part of your estate planning.
Decisions can be made, with your own desires in
mind, regarding the professional services
required, the type of casket, suggestions for
the funeral itself and preferences for earth
burial, entombment or cremation.
When you discuss a prearranged funeral with
a funeral director, it is your chance to ask
questions an get clear, concise answers. It is
the time to be sure you fully understand what
services are performed and why. This is also
the time to determine what costs are involved.
With this information in hand, intelligent,
informed decisions can be made.
When a death occurs, a period of adjustment
begins for family and friends. The prearranged
funeral saves them from having to make
important decisions pertaining to final
arrangements during a time of emotional stress.
It is a practical idea that makes sense.
What are the
"Benefits" of Pre-Planning?
EMOTIONAL
Most people attain a sense of relief knowing
that "everything" is taken care of. At the time
of death, most decision-making will have been
done thus leaving your family the essential and
less complicated time to grieve together by
focusing on memories rather than business.
PRACTICAL
Planning helps to ensure that your wishes are
fulfilled. Unlike arrangements made once a
death has occurred, with pre-planning you have
the option of making future changes or
adjustments if a decision is reconsidered. For
those with little or no family, family who do
not live locally, or family who travel, a
pre-planned funeral can eliminate unnecessary
delays at the time of death. For those who
travel, pre-planning could once again save
unnecessary delays at the point of death as
well as unnecessary expenses.
FINANCIAL
Make decisions with a clear mind and without
emotional stress and pressure. Exercising the
option of prepayment can result in substantial
saving as you receive inflation-proof
protection. It is estimated that the cost of
funerals is doubling approximately every 10
years. If prepaid at today's cost, neither your
family nor your estate will be affected when
our prices change. Your cost is locked in.
Can't I just
include my funeral preferences in my
Will?
No. Although an up-to-date Will is a vital
part of estate planning, it is important to
have your funeral preferences recorded
separately with a funeral home. Often a Will is
not even opened until after the funeral
services have taken place.
Who Should
Pre-arrange a funeral?
Any one who:
- Wishes to save others that
responsibility later
- Wishes to minimize family conflict and
confusion at an emotionally stressful
time
- Is responsible for the care of someone
else
- Wants to make his/her own wishes
known
- Is a senior citizen entering a
residential or nursing home
- Has no one capable or perhaps willing
to make funeral arrangements at time of
death
- Travels or whose family travels
- Wishes to pay the least amount of money
for his/her services
Every one should at least consider a
prearranged funeral, regardless of age or
background.
What do I
include in my pre-arrangement?
Any funeral, regardless of how simple or
elaborate, can be pre-arranged. The plan will
fit the needs of your family as well as your
own wishes and customs. In addition to your
vital statistics, you can include preferences
relating to any or all of the following:
- Type of services to be provided
- Cremation, burial, entombment
- Casket/vault/urn selection
- Clothing/jewelry to be worn
- Length of visitation
- Funeral service or memorial
- Location and style of service and
reception
- Service content (music, scripture,
poetry, other readings, officiant,
eulogy)
- Names of pallbearers
- Newspaper notice content, specified
memorial donations
- Personal touches (photographs,
memorabilia for table of remembrance,
flowers, favorite food or colors, how I
want to be remembered)
What "Vital
Statistics" are needed and why?
In Ontario every death, like every birth or
marriage, must be registered. In order for the
funeral director to complete the required
documentation we record the following:
- Name, address, birth date, and birth
place
- Social Insurance Number
- Full name of spouse (including maiden
name of wife)
- Most recent occupation
- Mother's and father's names and birth
places
- Name and address of executor(rix) and
next of kin
How much does a
funeral cost?
There are many variables involved. Depending
on the services and merchandise selected costs
may range greatly.
The Mundell Funeral Home offers a full range
of services from immediate cremation or burial
to traditional services involving visitation,
funeral, reception services and facilities. Our
price list is itemized. Every arrangement is
unique. Your choices will determine the overall
expense.
Pre-planning is your opportunity to gather
the relevant facts and make informed decisions
with a clear mind..
Is There A
Cost to Pre-Arranging?
No. This is a service that we provide, free
of charge, to the public. During a
pre-arrangement meeting current costs will be
explained and pre-funding options offered.
Should I
PrePay?
Although there are no requirements to prepay
when you prearrange a funeral, you may wish to
consider doing so. Prepayment is a safe
investment in peace of mind. All pre-paid funds
must be deposited on your behalf into a
registered financial institution within ten
days of receipt. Tax shielded interest is
earned on these funds until withdrawn at the
time of the beneficiary's death. Federal and
provincial legislation protect all pre-paid
funds. You receive inflation proof protection
and substantial savings. There are no
disadvantages.
What are my
payment options?
By prepaying through the Mundell Funeral
Home, you receive inflation-proof protection
whether you prepay all at once or over time.
With or without a deposit you may use the
following options:
- Single payment
- Monthly, semi-annually or annually over
1,2,3, 4, 5,6 ,7 8, 9, 10 or 15 years
- For your convenience, automatic
withdrawals can be made from your account,
or charged to your Visa or Master Card, on
a date specified by you
What happens if I
relocate?
If you move, your arrangements and prepaid
funds move with you. The Mundell Funeral Home,
upon written request, will transfer all
pre-arrangement file information to a funeral
home of your choice in your new area. Your
funds are fully portable. The new funeral home
is simply assigned to the certificate in which
the funds are kept.
Through our many associations, the Mundell
funeral Home can also assist you in finding a
reputable funeral home in your new area-even if
outside Ontario or Canada.
What if my
death does not occur locally?
Wherever a death occurs, the family should
first contact the funeral home where the
pre-arrangments were made. This hometown
funeral director will assume responsibility for
the return of the deceased to his/her
community. If necessary, they will engage the
services of a funeral director in the place of
death to act as their agent.
The Mundell Funeral Home offers a travel
assurance plan that covers any/all applicable
costs, (body preparation, air/land
transportation, other funeral home charges,
documentation, shipping container, etc.) in the
event of death anywhere outside our service
area..
How do I
pre-arrange a funeral?
Contact our firm and set up an appointment
to discuss the options and decisions involved
in funeral planning, either at your residence
or at the funeral home.
Allow yourself ample time to ask all your
questions, (most meetings are approximately one
hour). It is a good idea to make yourself a
list of everything you would like to know. All
your questions will be answered openly and
honestly.
We encourage you to include family members
(or designated legal representative i.e. Power
of attorney and/or Executor) in your decision
making and even at your meeting. Many look at
pre-arrangement as a guide but also should
consider the wishes of the survivors. Keep in
mind that the funeral rite is a process that
allows survivors the opportunity to meet their
own emotional and psychological needs.
Therefore, while the funeral is of the person
who has died, it is for those who are left
behind.
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