Amy: Here are the questions and answers for your new book

Article submitted by Seniors Resource Guide staff.

1. If I purchase a burial plan in TN, can I use it in another state if I change my mind?
2. If only part is transferable, what parts and what dollar value?
3. What if the selections I make are not available at the time of my death?
4. What if I die in another state and want to be buried here?
5. What can I purchase up front? Some/all?
6. Can I just have money in an account with you without making decisions? (I don't know why you would want to do this)
7. How are funerals paid for?
8. What if the funeral home I chose does not have a cemetery or vise versa?
9. What type of choices/selections do people usually decide ahead of time?
10. What is the benefit of pre-planning?

1) Generally speaking pre needs are now funded through insurance and that is easily transferred from one state to another. Most funeral directors would accept a pre need funeral from another state, however, if moving, you should always check with new funeral homes in the area you have moved to before the need occurs.

2) As for the funeral part, everything transfers. If funds for cash advance items (I.e. sales tax, obits, permits, death certificates and honorariums) are included, keep in mind that the charges could be different in the state you moved to. These charges are not guaranteed anyway, however the money you have paid for these items has earned interest and is totally credited to the charges at the time of need. It is a little more difficult for cemetery opening & closing charges and lots. If your pre need is with a national corporation, you would receive a dollar credit towards the purchase of new property in the state you moved to.

3) For people who are traveling and pass away far from home there would be in most cases additional charges. A funeral home in the place of death would need to be contacted, the remains prepared and sent to the location of their final destination. The receiving funeral home should make allowances in their charges for the services that were performed elsewhere. Families need to keep in mind however, that anytime more than one funeral home is involved additional charges will be incurred.

4) Families can purchase as much or as little before the need occurs as they wish. For funerals, all merchandise and services would be guaranteed to not cost any more than what has been paid and the interest that has accrued at the time of death. As previously mentioned however, cash advance items can not be guaranteed. These would include death certificates, permits, honorariums, sales tax, etc. As for the cemetery, you can purchase your property, memorial and pay for the opening and closing of the grave before hand. It would depend on the wording of the contract if the opening and closing charges are guaranteed or not. Also the grave space that is being used would need to be fully paid for before the interment.

5) Generally speaking, pre need monies are directly tied to specific services and or merchandise. That tells the funeral home what they should provide. I would take funds that are set aside to be used to cover a portion of the expenses, however this is not a true pre need.

6) Cash, check, credit card, a verifiable, assignable insurance policy, or a funded pre need arrangement. Most funeral homes will not offer a payment plan, however many do offer 3rd party financing for those who have that need.

7) Many funeral homes do not have cemeteries. Many cemeteries do not have a funeral home. Choose a cemetery or funeral home, in your area, that best suites your desires, historical, military, close to your home, where other family or friends or buried. The choice is totally up to you. You simply choose the location that fits your needs and budget.

8) You can decide and make all the choices right down to the music you want played , your obituary, type of casket, vault, what you would like to be wearing. You can do as much or as little as you desire. Most funeral homes have some sort of a booklet you can record all your wishes in and give to your family. When your end of life celebration occurs you will have made many decision for your family in advance. Hard decisions your loved ones will not have to make, in fact, they will be assured your funeral is exactly celebrated as you wished it to be.

9) Pre Planning allows an individual the opportunity to decide for himself and his family the type of service and how much he wants to spend. Planning g ahead provides peace of mind, relieves your loved ones of unnecessary concern, reflects your expressed wishes, avoids a financial burden on your family, and allows you to pay for your final life tribute at today's prices.

10) Relieves the family of making these decisions. Freezes the costs at today's prices. Many more benefits.