| As a funeral director I'm often asked by the | | | | sure specific funeral and burial expense funds are |
| public, "do I need burial insurance?" My stock reply | | | | in the control of your chosen administrator. |
| is the usual, "that depends." I'm not trying to be | | | | Secondly, give thought to the funding aspect of |
| insensitive or cute with my answer, but the truth | | | | your final arrangements. Are you satisfied with |
| is that it does depend on several factors in my | | | | your current funding (insurance, savings, etc.) to |
| opinion, but two most importantly. | | | | be sufficient and available when that time comes? |
| I believe two of the most important factors are | | | | Is it possible your current insurance might be |
| to consider who will make your final plans first, | | | | needed to settle other expenses such as medical |
| then how will those plans be funded? Simple | | | | bills, estate taxes, etc.? Are you comfortable that |
| questions yes, but among those most of us fail to | | | | your current insurance or savings will keep pace |
| ask ourselves or give serious thought to. | | | | with funeral inflation costs? If you answered no to |
| Choosing a person to handle yourfinal | | | | any of these questions, then you may want to |
| arrangements can be done in reality by doing | | | | consider additional insurance specifically for your |
| nothing at all. At your death in most states, | | | | final expenses. Tip: Burial insurance policies can be |
| lineage will decide who will have right of disposition. | | | | issued in small amounts to subsidize your existing |
| If no legal descendants are available to handle this | | | | insurance or larger amounts to cover total funeral |
| duty most counties, townships and/or states will | | | | and burial costs. In many cases it is also easier to |
| step in and have the final disposition done. This will | | | | qualify for in older age groups. |
| usually be a direct burial or cremation as | | | | Does everyone need burial insurance? Certainly |
| determined by the government body handling it. I | | | | not, but as a funeral director I can tell you that |
| recommend avoiding this possibility by selecting a | | | | many families I've assisted were able to honor a |
| family member or friend to entrust with this duty | | | | loved one's wishes only because that person had |
| and to make sure they have the legal documents | | | | a burial insurance policy in force at the time of |
| necessary to abide by your wishes. Also, be sure | | | | their death. |
| your chosen administrators will have access to | | | | Take a few minutes and give this some thought. |
| final expense funds. Many problems can be | | | | The attention and consideration you give these |
| avoided by making sure of this one thing. Tip: | | | | matters now will make a tremendous difference |
| Burial insurance will in most cases let you | | | | for those who eventually will do your final planning. |
| designate the beneficiary. This allows you to make | | | | |