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Funeral Pre Planning

Jewish Funeral Pre-Planning

As funeral directors, we often get asked when is the best time to plan a funeral is? Truthfully, the answer is any time before you have to plan a funeral. You wouldn’t wait to plan a wedding or a baby shower until a few days before, so why wait to plan a funeral? Pre-planning a Jewish funeral not only allows you to record your wishes, but it also gives you and your family peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of.

At-Need vs. Pre-Need Funerals

There are two types of funeral plans, pre-need and at-need (sometimes referred to as immediate need). At-need funeral plans are made by the surviving family members after a death has occurred. It can be a difficult experience for the survivors because emotions are high, time is short, and their grief needs to be managed. Not only that, but the imminent financial concerns can add to the stress of everything. 

Pre-need funeral plans are much less stressful and more advantageous. Rather than rushing to complete arrangements, you can think about what you want your service to include and talk about the options with your family. Making funeral arrangements in advance also offers several benefits which we’ve outlined below.

Final Tasks in Pre-Planning a Jewish Funeral

In addition to your will, the contact list, and the list of all your online account login details and related documents should be provided to your executor.

Finally, you may want to consider paying ahead of time for your funeral choices. Speak to us about how your pre-payment monies will be handled.
preplan a funeral couple hugging

Why Pre-Plan a Funeral?

If someone were to ask you, “what’s the benefit of making funeral arrangements in advance?”, the simple answer is that “it helps prevents mistakes.” Therefore, many of us make plans in many aspects of our life. We plan for our wedding, our children’s education, family vacations, and other significant expected life events. Also, we plan for unexpected life events by purchasing home, auto, and medical insurance. 

So why don’t more people plan their funeral? Obviously planning your own funeral is morbid and does not fill you with positive emotions, but it remains very important and beneficial.

Make Sure Your Wishes are Followed

Making funeral arrangements in advance ensures that your family follows how you want to be honored when you die. First, you can explicitly state that you would like to be cremated vs buried. Then you can specify if you would like a ceremony to honor your life and what that ceremony would look like and include. You can get very detailed with your instructions such as detailing where you would like your ashes scattered. Preplanning your funeral ultimately gives you control and power to make important decisions.

Remove the Stress From Your Family

Trying to plan a funeral immediately after a loved one’s passing is very difficult. Family members are overcome with grief and not necessarily thinking clearly which can lead to disagreements about your final arrangements. By preplanning a funeral, you can relieve your family of the burden of making these arrangements and quickly resolve any disputes that may happen. Instead, when death occurs, your loved ones can focus their energy on comforting one another and mentally preparing for the service.

Lock Into a Price & Avoid Inflation

Inflation impacts every industry and funeral homes are not exempt. When you preplan a service and pay in advance, you can lock into a price on the day you sign the contract and potentially avoid the impact of inflation or rising costs.

More Payment Methods

Preneed funeral plans offer families more convenient payment options than those who are in immediate need. Those who choose to preplan often have three choices when it comes to paying for the service. They include using a trust, using an insurance policy, or paying in installments. 

Talk About it With Your Family

Preplanning your funeral allows you to talk it over with your family. As much as a funeral service is about celebrating your life, it can also be beneficial to get your family’s point of view. Planning a ceremony that allows your family to best cope with grief should be considered.

Before You Leave

You will have the peace-of-mind knowing all the details are written down and there can be no mistaking your wishes. If you need help - we're here for you. Call us today at 212-473-2228
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