Would you consider buying a prepaid funeral?

I actually have considered it as it became a problem when my son died and I was the only one who had access to cash to pay.

After that I went into it but in the end decided not to as I decided I was leaving my kids enough and they just have to find the money to pay for the funeral.

I had believed that the banks/lawyers would release money for a funeral however they did not in my son's case.

In the end I did not do it! It seems somehow, a weird thing to do even though it could save a lot of hassles, and particularly as I am also leaving cash.

by Finy

Finy, no money is released until the will goes through probate, which takes at least two months. My aunts money took 3 years to come through, and only because my dad was pressuring them ( he used to be in the legal field of work) I presume you want to be buried before then??? Unless you have the cash for your funeral put away in the biscuit tin, your family are going to have to pay for it

This is not something I have considered.I just am not of the opinion,that I should have to pay for my own funeral,after everything else I have been responsible for all of my life!!When I am no longer here,I am sure that I won't be wanting or needing anything spectacular.My life has been wonderful enough for my needs. I can see how it may be helpful,but I still do not wish to do this.

by Jules

After having just gone through the rigmarole of F-I-L's funeral . . maybe. It seems a bit ghoulish, though. If we are dead and nobody gives us a funeral . . .would we care??

by Rice

yes! LOL

Hahahahaha! Oh, finy, you made me laugh! ^_^

Rice, I've ALWAYS wanted to be cremated in a cardboard box, with tulips painted all over it! I don't want money wasted on MY funeral. (And why does funeral, start with FUN? How fun is it anyway?

I have no problem with it. Will take the stress off those left behind.

by dwatk

25 years ago, when my Mother died, I bought extra 'Plots' in the cemetery.
They were affordable then, and it is one of the best things I feel I have done long term.

As for buying the funeral plan now or paying it off...well No I feel I can't do that.
It makes me feel uneasy.Don't know why?

by jonaja

No way, it seems a little morbid and being a little superstitious I'd say it was inviting bad luck.

BUT the practical side of me says I should at least set aside money for my funeral to be paid. I just don't like the idea of pre paying and planning my funeral..

by Bubz Life

It's a scary thing to think about but it's better to be prepared than to suffer the consequences later on. We all know how expensive funerals can be. So in this day and age, it pays to be practical.

My family has a memorial plan. Because it's transferable, it became handy when my maternal grandmother died. The costs were lessened. My mom and her siblings did not have to buy a coffin and pay for a hearse. They only paid for the funeral and burial services.

Buying a memorial plan is no different from buying insurance. Everyone's encouraged to get one so as to avoid future costs that might burden the whole family.

by xTinx

I have told my partner that when i die don't claim the body as the taxes are very high and the regulation around funerals is so large that it just makes for another death tax.

by filli

Clever. A friend of mine has already signed her body away to medical science.

what Country are you in? for that to happen.... :(

My Estate is organised to pay for it, supervised by my Executor.
He knows exactly what I want, & I'm sorry I won't be around to hear, or see it, as it'll be a goodun'!

by donjo

Yes,
provided the Company offering the Prepaid funeral were reliable.
Farley

by farle

Yes. I have paid in full for my pre-paid funeral. My mother passed away recently and she had pre-paid her funeral many years ago. It made it so much easier to deal with everything when she passed over. I've chosen my flowers etc. Mum had chosen her photo and hymns she wanted. So much better this way and you know the family will not incur hardship finding the funds if they don't have them available.

by helga

Absolutely. I think it is essential for everyone who cares about those left behind. My mother in law died two weeks ago. She did leave us something called a 'funeral bond'. This is where a nominated amount of money is set aside for the cost of the funeral. This was organised through a financial company, not a funeral home. So we still had to select a funeral home and spent all our time on google doing that !! If only she had chosen it herself and made her wishes known as to where and how she wanted to be remembered. Its a bit selfish not to, but I suppose many other people her age may not even have a funeral bond. They just didn't think or talk about things like that in those days, so they tell me. They just think that it will sort itself out. I hope that my father in law has a funeral plan or we will have to do it all over again in the near future. I will make sure I have a pre paid funeral plan, so my kids won't have to run around organising MY funeral. As someone said to me at the funeral, it is your last opportunity to have your say on what you want.

by Lluxi

Absolutely. I think it is essential for everyone who cares about those left behind. My mother in law died two weeks ago. She did leave us something called a 'funeral bond'. This is where a nominated amount of money is set aside for the cost of the funeral. This was organised through a financial company, not a funeral home. So we still had to select a funeral home and spent all our time on google doing that !! If only she had chosen it herself and made her wishes known as to where and how she wanted to be remembered. Its a bit selfish not to, but I suppose many other people her age may not even have a funeral bond. They just didn't think or talk about things like that in those days, so they tell me. They just think that it will sort itself out. I hope that my father in law has a funeral plan or we will have to do it all over again in the near future. I will make sure I have a pre paid funeral plan, so my kids won't have to run around organising MY funeral. As someone said to me at the funeral, it is your last opportunity to have your say on what you want.

by Lluxi

I'm sorry this came up twice. Not sure why

Lluxi - having buried two of my three children, I do not understand this as once you pick a funeral director they do all the work -the only thing you have to supply them or whoever will conduct the service or whatever you have, is information about the deceased I guess you have to pick a headstone eventually also

WE had to choose the funeral home, because she
did not. If only she had. There was her dead body lying in the room, but no arrangements were made as to which funeral directors was going to pick it up !! Husband and his brother were googling madly and making phone enquiries for several hours before deciding on one. If all that had been pre arranged in a funeral plan would have been a lot easier. At least she had the funeral bond to pay for it. Otherwise we would not have been able to have afforded the cost of the funeral. Thank goodness there are those who think ahead. It took us a week to plan it all. They have a say in deciding. Flowers or not? Type of casket? Hearse? Memorial book? What music? Wake or not, if so where? Readings? Photos? Burial or cremation? These are just some questions that must be answered pretty quickly. I know that I would like to be the one who answers them at MY funeral. Otherwise the family are left with this burden

Has your f/i/l passed away yet, Lluki? I still have both my in-laws still living. My m/i/l has already lost 2 sons, so there's only my husband, & his 'magnet' sister (as my husband calls her!) now, so I guess she'll decide how the funeral will all be handled!

Yes. He died three months after her. He was 92. They just couldn't bare to be apart. We knew it wouldn't be long. He died on their 69 th wedding anniversary. She probably wanted to spend it with him.

no

by jimsw

No WAY! They're a waste of money!

by Miro

Totally agree with your cardboard box! I'll have a Tardis painted on mine, please. I can't see why somebody else should earn interest on my money . . . if I feel that I need a "plan", I will open an account for myself that my daughter can use when I pop my clogs. (｡◕‿◕｡)

Yes, I have thought about it because I am single with no children. I would prefer it to be the way I would want it to be. Like Miro I don't want huge amounts of money spent for no reason - just put me in a cardboard box (painted purple please! :) ) and send me into the fire. The thought of burning all that beautiful wood that some coffins are made of saddens me.

by poppy