Four Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Pre-Planning

In our last blog, we discussed some of the misconceptions about pre-planning your funeral arrangements. Here are a few of the details that tend to catch people off guard — in a good way. 

Your Price Doesn’t Change, Ever*

When you pre-plan and pre-pay, you lock in today’s price. It doesn’t matter if you use the plan next year or in twenty years. Funeral costs, like most goods and services, tend to increase over time. Locking in today’s rate means your family won’t be affected by tomorrow’s prices. *Third party costs (ie: church and clergy expenses, flowers, motorcycle escorts, taxes and death certificates) are out of the control of Hilgenfeld Mortuary and may increase over time which will be reflected in the final cost. 

Moving? Bring Your Plan With You

Most pre-planning arrangements are portable, so if you move to another city or state, your plan can usually be transferred to a mortuary near your new home. The new mortuary may even honor the original agreement. Due to the fact that funeral costs vary in every state, it cannot be guaranteed that the costs will not change. However, the money set aside in the funeral pre-plan (including its growth over time) can be used at mortuaries all over the county. 

You Can Pre-Plan on Behalf of Someone Else

Pre-planning isn’t limited to making arrangements for yourself. If a family member — a parent, sibling, or other loved one — is unable to make these decisions on their own, you can pre-plan on their behalf. This can be an enormous relief for families managing a loved one’s care, ensuring their wishes are documented and their future costs are protected, even if they can’t handle the details themselves.

No One Can Change Your Wishes Later

Perhaps the most reassuring benefit is this: once you have put a pre-planning arrangement in place, it generally cannot be altered by anyone else after you’ve passed away. The specific services, products, and wishes you selected are honored exactly as you intended, free from second-guessing or changes made under stress or disagreement. Your voice remains the final word. In the case that someone else did the pre-planning for you (as described in the preceding paragraph), the legal next of kin can change over time. In this situation, the contract is still valid, but the next of kin may choose to make some changes. 

Pre-planning offers far more than convenience — it offers protection, flexibility, and lasting peace of mind, for both you and the people you love. If you haven’t yet explored a pre-planning arrangement, now is a great time to start the conversation. Call us to arrange a no-obligation, informational appointment.