Pre-Paid Funeral Plan
Pre Paid Funeral Planning
Throughout our lives we plan for almost every financial eventuality and today the prepayment towards the cost of a funeral is becoming more and more common. Today many of us have enough to deal with, without being concerned about our funeral expenses. Some people worry about how their funeral account will be paid, that is why we at The Lychway Funeral Directors, offer a
pre-payment service to suit all budgets.
Pre-arranging your funeral means your wishes are recorded. Pre-paying towards the cost of a funeral helps relieve your family of the emotional and financial worries when the time comes.
There are several ways of doing this. A number of companies offer prepaid funeral options. There are a variety of funeral plans available and some offer more advantages than others. It is wise to get financial help if you are uncertain.
Why Pre-Pay?
Pre-paying towards the cost of your funeral helps eliminate the financial burden your family may feel at the time of your death. You can even pre-pay towards your headstone or plaque.
Advance payments towards your funeral expenses should be considered as a natural part of early retirement planning. Experience shows that this should be a planned exercise rather than a rapid redistribution of assets in the weeks prior to entering a retirement home. The current law states that one is allowed up to $10,000.00 of funds in a Funeral Trust that is excluded from asset testing when assessing for a subsidy
There are various ways in which you can make advance payments towards your funeral. You need to choose the path that best suits your purpose.
Companies such as The Public Trust, or Perpetual Guardian Trust and other organisations, allows you to plan and make payments towards your funeral.
Some financial institutions allow lump sum or monthly instalments into your fund can be made. The fund is interest bearing tax paid to the Trust. Please consult with our staff for more detailed information.
Family finances
It makes a lot of sense to make some preparations now to make things just a little easier on your family when you die. When a death occurs bank accounts in the deceased’s name are frozen
and in some cases, cannot be accessed until probate is granted. To ensure ongoing access by a spouse or partner, it is best that the bank account be in joint names. Increasingly people are planning their own funerals mainly to lessen the responsibilities for the family at such a difficult time.
How It Works:
The funds are lodged in pre-paid Funeral Trust and can only be withdrawn upon death. To access the funds our company must supply the Trust Company with a certified copy of the death certificate, the funeral account, and a copy of the pre-paid Funeral Trust certificate. Then the funds are released for the payment towards your funeral account. Any surplus of funds are paid back to your estate to be distributed as per your Last Will and Testament.
If you relocate to another town and engage the services of a different funeral company in that area, the funds can be withdrawn from the pre-paid Funeral Trust by them after they produce the required documentation.
The Benefits:
All funds invested in the Trust are government guaranteed as best they can be
The interest earned is compounding and remains in your Trust
You may pay up to $10,000.00 per person. These funds are excluded from asset testing when assessment is being made for eligibility for long term care
Pre-arranging and pre-paying for your funeral may seem like a difficult task, but like making a will, the ideal time to make these plans is well beforehand, when wise choices can be made without worry or stress.
Remember:
You choose exactly what you want.
Your wishes are recorded.
Your family need not be burdened with decision making at a very difficult time.
Your pre-payment is excluded from asset testing when assessing for a subsidy for long-term residential care.
Our experienced and qualified funeral professionals are able to guide you through all these facets and to assist you in making memorable funeral arrangements which reflect your wants and wishes
At all times we endeavour to provide appropriate services and advice for each situation.
Pre-arrangement Form