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