McManus Funeral Home

Pre-Planning a Funeral in Brooklyn, NY & Free Downloadable Checklist

It may be hard to accept, but death is unavoidable and thus something we should prepare for. Although you might not want to think about preplanning your funeral, it’s something that everyone should at least give some thought to. If not for your own peace-of-mind, then for the well-being of those you leave behind. 


As funeral directors in Brooklyn, NY, we often get asked when the best time to plan a funeral is? Truthfully, the answer is any time before you have to plan a funeral. You wouldn’t wait to plan a wedding or a baby shower until a few days before, so why wait to plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral not only allows you to record your wishes, it gives you and your family the peace of mind to know that everything is taken care of.


There are two types of funeral plans, pre-need and at-need (sometimes referred to as immediate need). At-need funeral plans are made by the surviving family members after a death has occurred. It can be a difficult experience for the survivors because emotions are high, time is short, and their grief needs to be managed. Not only that, but the imminent financial concerns can add to the stress of everything. 


Pre-need funeral plans are much less stressful and more advantageous. Rather than rushing to complete arrangements, you can think about what you want your service to include and talk about the options with your family. Making funeral arrangements in advance also offers several benefits which we’ve outlined below.


Take care of all the  funeral pre-arrangement  details and give you and your family the peace-of-mind you deserve.

Why Pre-Plan Your Funeral? Here are Some Key Benefits

If someone were to ask you, “what’s the benefit of making funeral arrangements in advance?”, the simple answer is that “it helps prevents mistakes.” Therefore, many of us make plans in many aspects of our life. We plan for our wedding, our children’s education, family vacations, and other significant expected life events. Also, we plan for unexpected life events by purchasing home, auto, and medical insurance. 

So why don’t more people plan their funeral? Obviously planning your own funeral is morbid and does not fill you with positive emotions, but it remains very important and beneficial.


There are many benefits to funeral pre-planning. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should consider making your funeral arrangements ahead of time:



  1. It means there will be fewer opportunities for argument and indecision about your funeral arrangements among family members after you're gone.
  2. Your survivors will never have to worry about doing the wrong thing when finalizing your funeral arrangements. You will have told them exactly what you want.
  3. No mistakes and no oversights. After you're gone, everything will be done your way.
  4. You have peace-of-mind now knowing that we will follow through with your wishes.
  5. After your death, no one can make any decisions you wouldn't want.
  6. Funeral pre-planning is the responsible thing to do. It removes the burden from family members.
  7. You can make complex decisions ahead of time when you have the time to think things through.
  8. Funeral pre-planning can involve pre-payment. This will save your family money and avoid any financial burdens.
  9. Funeral pre-planning involves an awareness of the reality of death.
  10. You are almost guaranteed to get what you want.


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Pre-Need Funeral Arrangements Checklist

McManus Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist

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Pre-Planning Checklist

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The Basics of Funeral Pre-Arranging


Here's a break-down of the process:

 

  • Set goals
  • Review limitations
  • Look at available options
  • Weigh the pros and cons of each option
  • Talk to others about the best options
  • Arrive at a final decision

 

In the case of funeral pre-arrangement , another two important steps are involved:

 

  • Write out your plan with as many details as possible.
  • Send your plan to the funeral home and provide a copy to your executor.

 

What’s Included When You Prepay for Pre-Need Funeral Plans


So, you’re ready to start funeral preplanning, but you have questions about what you receive when the arrangements are finished. Once the contract has been signed, the funeral director will provide you with a written statement that outlines the goods and services you have purchased (along with pricing for each). You will also receive a copy of the pre-need contract discussing the terms and conditions, this includes: 

  • A guarantee that if the goods and services you selected are not available at time of service, a substitute of equal or greater value will be provided at no cost. 
  • The geographical boundaries of the firm’s service area. 
  • Under what circumstances the contract can be transferred to another funeral home. 
  • State where the funds are held until the funeral service. 
  • Explain who is responsible for paying taxes on any income or interest generated by the pre-need funds you invest. 
  • Discuss whether, the price of goods and services is guaranteed. 
  • The terms if you wish to cancel your pre-need contract. 

There are two ways for you to complete your funeral pre-arrangement plan in Brooklyn, NY:

Using the Online Pre-Planning Tool


This website features Pre-Arrange Online, a step-by-step interactive form that can be used to record your end-of-life plan and send the completed form to our staff for safekeeping. 
Pre-Arrange Now

Turn to the Professionals


Many people are more comfortable making these decisions with funeral professionals. If you would like us to help, call us or send us an email using the Contact Us form. 
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