Most of us know what wedding officiants do. They work with couples to design the perfect wedding ceremony and then conduct the proceedings. But did you know there are also funeral officiants—professionals who are trained to help plan and conduct funeral ceremonies? These experts are called Funeral Celebrants.

What does a Funeral Celebrant do?

Funeral Celebrants collaborate with the family to create a personalized ceremony that truly reflects the life of the person being memorialized. The celebrant gets to know the deceased by asking questions, listening to stories, and curating the information provided by the family. In designing the ceremony, they pay careful attention to the music, readings, poems, and rituals that are incorporated into the ceremony.

The Celebrant’s role during the ceremony is up to the family. In many cases, the Celebrant and family will divide the duties. For example, the Celebrant might give the eulogy and lead the songs while family members present readings and prayers.

How is a Funeral Director different from a Celebrant?

According to the National Funeral Director’s Association, the key duties of a funeral director include:

• Arranging for the removal of the deceased from the place of death
• Providing support to the bereaved during the initial stages of grief
• Preparing the body according to legal requirements and the wishes of the survivors
• Arranging and directing funeral ceremonies
• Securing information for legal documents, filing death certificates, and other legal papers
• Helping survivors when filing death benefits claims, as well as assisting them in adapting to their lives post-death

As you can see, that’s quite a broad portfolio of duties. That’s why the exact duties performed by a funeral director can vary depending on the funeral. This is especially true when it comes to acting as the funeral officiant. The funeral director may conduct the ceremony or work with a celebrant or officiant to perform the service.

The key role of a celebrant is to ensure that the funeral ceremony is personalized. Most are unaffiliated, that is to say, not directly employed by the funeral home. Their job is to focus on the funeral service or memorial ceremony. They are independent professionals who can conduct funerals at any location or within the funeral home. Unless they are also a funeral director, funeral celebrants do not handle body preparation or any of the specialized tasks that funeral directors are trained and certified to do.

Celebrants receive training and certification at organizations such as the Celebrant Foundation & Institute.

Can I use both a funeral director and a funeral celebrant?

Professional funeral celebrants are accustomed to working closely with funeral homes and are happy to do so. If you are using both, then generally, the funeral director will be responsible for transportation and care of the deceased and various organizational and administrative tasks while the celebrant takes care of the emotional and personal elements of the service. The choice between a funeral director and a funeral celebrant, or both, depends on your preferences, cultural or religious beliefs, and the specific needs of the funeral you are planning. It can also depend on regulations. When a burial is chosen, many states require that a funeral director be on hand throughout the process.

Traditional funerals where the casket is present almost always involve the services of a funeral director. If you are having the funeral at a place of worship, a clergy member will likely be involved. There are many options for where to hold memorial services because they can be held at any time following a burial or cremation. The services of a celebrant are an excellent choice for a memorial service to celebrate the life of the deceased.

What about religion?

Most celebrants are happy to design ceremonies that incorporate spiritual rituals. In fact, many clergy are also trained as celebrants.

A key reason that people like working with celebrants is that they focus on making the funeral ceremony extremely personal. If religion was important to the deceased, then, of course, it should be part of the ceremony. How active a celebrant is in conducting a funeral’s religious elements depends on your denomination. In many religions, only an ordained priest or minister can offer the rites.

So, back to the original question: Do you need both a funeral director and a funeral celebrant?

Fortunately, today, we have many options when it comes to handling funeral ceremonies. There is an important role for both the funeral director and a Professional celebrant. If your ceremony includes a funeral where the body is present, you will need the services of a funeral director. If you are having a memorial service rather than a funeral (the body is not present), then a Celebrant will be able to handle all the details.

>>Visit our Directory of Funeral Celebrants

>>Download our Guide to Using a Funeral Celebrant

>>Read: Using Funeral Celebrants

>>Read: Yes. Planning a Funeral is Like Planning a Wedding

Sources: NFDA Careers Page (https://nfda.org/careers)

The post Funeral Director or Funeral Celebrant: Do you need both? appeared first on Funeralwise.

If you have just started your search for a cremation urn, then you may be surprised by the wide variety of options available. There are truly urns for every taste and budget, from simple wooden boxes to hand-polished marble.

The wide variety of selections can be overwhelming, especially if you are deciding at a difficult time. Luckily, there are questions you can ask yourself to start narrowing down your choices.

How to Buy A Cremation Urn: Narrowing Down Your Choices

1. What style of urn do you want?
   You want to make sure that the urn you select reflects the wishes and tastes of the deceased and their loved ones. A biodegradable urn might be best if the deceased was concerned about the environment. You probably don’t want an overly ornate version if the person you are buying for had simple tastes. Chances are, you’ll know which urn is perfect when you see it, but keeping the personality of the deceased can help make the process more personal.
2. What is your budget?
   It may be hard to think of terms of money when choosing an urn to honor a loved one, but urns are available in a wide variety of price ranges. Deciding how much you want to spend before you start looking can help you narrow down your choices significantly.
3. Where will the remains be stored?
   If you place your urn in a mausoleum, the funeral home or cemetery can provide you with any specifications you need to consider when you make your selection. In some cases, the urn must be no larger than a specific size and made of certain materials. A “Green” cemetery may require that your urn be made of biodegradable materials. If the urn is buried at a cemetery, you must purchase an urn vault. The vault will protect the urn and keep the ground around it from collapsing. If you keep the urn at home, you will need to think about where you will store it: will it be indoors or out, and will it be buried? If you plan to bury the urn at home, be sure to check your local laws to make sure that this is permitted.
4. Will you be traveling with the remains?
   The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has special requirements for transporting urns. For example, urns must be able to be x-ray scannable. In addition, some airlines have guidelines for transporting cremated remains. Be sure to check with your carrier before you travel. It may make sense to purchase a temporary urn that meets TSA and airline requirements and then transfer the remains to something more permanent once you get home. (Click here to go to the TSA blog page that discusses traveling with cremated remains.)
5. Will you inter all the remains, or will you distribute them among others?
   Your crematory can provide you with an estimate of how much cremains will be returned to you. This can help you decide how large you would like your urn to be. If you will distribute the cremains between others, you may prefer to buy several smaller urns.
6. Will you scatter the ashes?
   Scattering ashes can be a bit more complicated than it seems. Wind and weather conditions can complicate things. Depending on where you plan to scatter the ashes, you may want to purchase a specially designed container for this purpose. Learn more about Scattering Ashes.
7. Would you like your urn personalized?
   There are many options when it comes to personalizing your container. Many urns have a place for a photo or some other tribute to your loved one. Perhaps you would like to commemorate a special hobby or profession. There are also options available for couples, pets, and infants.
8. How do you want to receive the ashes?
   The crematorium will return the ashes in a plastic bag. The bag will be placed in a container of some kind. If you have purchased an urn, you can provide it to them in advance of the cremation, and they will return the ashes in your urn. Otherwise, the ashes will be returned in a temporary urn. Since the ashes are in a plastic bag, they can be easily moved to a permanent urn later. Your funeral director will be happy to help you handle and transfer the ashes. Also, see our article on sealing cremation urns.
9. What size urn should you buy?
   Use the 1 to 1 rule of thumb. It is important that the urn you select is the right size to hold the ashes. The capacity of urns is measured in cubic inches. The general rule is 1 cubic inch of urn capacity for each pound of body weight prior to death. For example, the ashes of a 175 lb. man would need an urn of 175 cubic inches or more. Likewise, the ashes of a 25 lb. pet would require an urn of 25 cubic inches or more. If the ashes are being shared among family members, smaller keepsake urns are a good option and you can use the 1 cubic inch to 1 lb. rule of thumb when purchasing these smaller urns. Some people choose to place keepsakes of their loved one in the urn along with the ashes. You’ll need to account for the space that any keepsakes will require.

The important thing is that you should take your time, consider all your options, and remember that you do not have to purchase through the funeral home or crematory. There are many online vendors. We recommend that you visit our store to see what we have to offer. We carry a variety of styles and prices.

Cremation Urns Come In All Shapes and Sizes

From classic traditional urns to more modern takes, you may be surprised by the number of options available to you. There are burial urns available to meet every taste and style. Despite the variety, urns fall into two basic categories: permanent and non-permanent. The main difference is that permanent urns do not degrade over time. Non-permanent urns, also referred to as biodegradable, will decompose. Whether or not an urn is permanent or biodegradable depends on the material it is made of.

Permanent Urns

Permanent urns are typically glass, hardwood, metal, ceramic, bronze, or marble. You can find them in hundreds of styles. In addition to traditional urns, examples of the types of permanent memorial urns for storage of cremation remains are:

• Sports themed urns
• Military themed urns
• Hobby themed urns
• Religious themed urns
• Art themed urns
• Photo urns
• Memento urns
• Urns for travel

You can select a permanent urn based on its material or style; you can also find urns suitable for interring the remains of two people who want to share their final resting place. These are called companion urns.

If you are looking for an urn to memorialize the untimely death of a child, you may want to investigate cremation urns specifically designed for infant or child remains. If you plan to divide the remains among friends or family members, you can choose from various small keepsake cremation urns designed for this purpose.

Personalized Cremation Urns

If you are looking for a cremation urn that is a little less traditional, you may opt for something more unusual such as a teddy bear that includes storage for remains or an hourglass that holds your loved one’s ashes rather than sand. Despite the number of options available when it comes to permanent burial urns, sometimes the best choice is to have an urn specially designed to fit the personality of your loved one or the style of the space where it will be stored. There are numerous personalization and customization options available.

Check out our “This is not your Grandmother’s Cremation Urn” post

Environmentally-Friendly Cremation Urns

Non-permanent urns are usually made of paper, but you may also find them made of salt, cornstarch, gelatin, or other degradable materials. Biodegradable urns are thought to be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional urns since they don’t leave behind permanent materials and are becoming increasingly more popular. Biodegradable urns are available in designs suitable for display, burial, or scattering. There are also options for use in water burials. Some biodegradable urns may have seeds embedded in the paper to produce a tree or other plant after it decomposes. Others are designed as birdhouses. The choices are many and growing by the day.

With the number of options available, the job of selecting the perfect urn to honor your loved one can seem a daunting task. You can make the selection a bit easier by narrowing down your options.

SEALING CREMATION URNS — CREATING A PERMANENT CLOSURE

Whether or not to seal a cremation urn is a personal decision that depends on the type of urn, if it will be displayed or buried, and your unique circumstances. The sealing process is not complicated, but it can be surprisingly emotional. For many people, sealing the urn represents a final step in their loved one’s journey. With that in mind, it’s best to set aside some quiet time so that you can take it at your own pace.

Metal Urns

Most metal cremation urns have a threaded cap or removable disc covering the ash compartment. To create a permanent seal, add a small amount of clear silicone epoxy or metal glue to the threads before closing the lid. Take your time, and be sure to wipe away any overspill quickly.

Sealing cremation urns made of metal — bronze and brass, for example, is usually unnecessary. However, some people prefer the added sense of security that the glue can provide.

Ceramic or Glass Urns

Many ceramic and glass urns are designed with a cap that rests on the top of the urn’s body but is not threaded. To seal the lid to the urn, use a clear silicone sealant. The sealant will help provide water resistance and create a permanent airtight seal.

When sealing cremation urns made of ceramic or glass, carefully squeeze a thin bead of sealant around the cap, then place the lid back on the urn, gently pressing it into place. Be sure to follow the directions on the adhesive with regard to drying time. We recommend you let the sealant dry for 24  hours before handling it.

Sealants can be purchased at a big box store, hardware stores, online, and where ever home repair goods are sold. Avoid glues that expand or foam. While soap and water cleanup is not essential, it is a big bonus.

Wooden Urns

Most wood urns close in a box-like fashion or have a sliding panel at the bottom that is removable. There is no need to seal, but some people prefer to do so. Wood glue or glue designed for porous materials will work for this purpose. Just remember that you are creating a permanent seal, so if you change your mind, you may not be able to reopen the box.

See the urns recommended by Funeralwise:

SHOP OUR URN COLLECTION

The post Cremation Urns appeared first on Funeralwise.

It’s a New Frontier in Artificial Intelligence

A new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) is all the rage now. AI programs have been used for years, but the latest technological breakthrough is “generative” AI programs. These new AI programs, also known as chatbots, can respond to virtually any query. They can answer questions, hold a conversation, compose essays, and even create computer code.

Predictably, major tech companies Alphabet and Microsoft are developing ways to incorporate AI into their search engines (Google and Bing, respectively). Microsoft has invested billions in the artificial intelligence company OpenAI and has already integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into a new version of Bing. OpenAI has already released an even better version called GPT-4. Google, Meta (Facebook) and others are countering with their own AI-enabled search tools.

As you can imagine, the possibilities are endless, and like many new technologies, it comes with many concerns. Will AI chatbots replace human beings? Will chatbots be used to spread misinformation? AI development is still in its early stages. So, how widely it will be used and what the long-term impact will remain to be seen.

Artificial Intelligence and Funerals

Here at Funeralwise, we wonder what effect chatbots will have on funerals. Can chatbots be used to write eulogies and obituaries? How will artificial intelligence assist people with funeral planning? Will they recommend the best funeral homes or the best funeral insurance policy to buy? Will they be an alternative to the hundreds of pages of information on Funeralwise.com? What do you think? Post your thoughts on AI and funerals below.

An AI Chatbot Gives Us 10 Reasons to Plan Your Funeral

We were curious what a chatbot would have to say about funeral planning so we asked GPT-4 this question: “What are the reasons I should plan my funeral before I die?”

The exact response from GPT-4 (we added the text bolding):

“Creating a funeral plan before you die can provide several benefits for both you and your loved ones. Here are some reasons why you should consider creating a funeral plan:

1. Peace of mind: Preparing a funeral plan allows you to make your wishes known, ensuring that your funeral is conducted according to your preferences. This can give you peace of mind knowing that your final wishes will be respected and carried out.
2. Financial planning: By planning your funeral in advance, you can choose the services you want and determine the associated costs. This can help you make informed decisions and potentially save money by locking in prices or selecting more affordable options.
3. Easing the burden on loved ones: Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging time. By having a funeral plan in place, you can relieve your family and friends of the burden of making difficult decisions and planning a funeral during their time of grief.
4. Personalizing your funeral: Creating a funeral plan allows you to personalize your funeral, reflecting your beliefs, values, and interests. This can help create a meaningful and memorable service for those in attendance.
5. Avoiding family disputes: Pre-planning your funeral can help avoid potential disagreements among family members regarding your funeral arrangements, ensuring that your wishes are respected and followed.
6. Ensuring financial support: Some funeral plans include options for payment or insurance policies, which can help ensure that your family has the financial means to cover the costs associated with your funeral.
7. Legal considerations: Preparing a funeral plan can also help you address legal matters related to your estate, such as appointing an executor, drafting a will, and organizing important documents.
8. Organ donation or body donation: If you wish to be an organ donor or donate your body to science, having a funeral plan in place can help communicate your intentions and ensure that your wishes are followed.
9. Environmentally friendly options: If you are concerned about the environmental impact of traditional funerals, pre-planning allows you to explore and choose greener alternatives, such as green burial options or eco-friendly cremation options.
10. Time for reflection: Planning your funeral in advance gives you the opportunity to reflect on your life and consider what kind of legacy you want to leave behind. This process can be an important part of accepting and coming to terms with your mortality.”

What Our Funeral Planning Robots Have To Say

That’s a pretty good response from GPT-4. We’ll be keeping our eye on the effect of AI on funerals and keep you informed. In the meantime, we have our own form of AI, our funeral planning robots, Zelmo and Gizmo, to offer advice on funeral planning. Check it out!

Funeral Planning the Funeralwise Way

No need to wait for AI; you can do your funeral planning today with our Wise Planning System. Get started with our Free Quick Plan.

>>Read our article “Do Robots Deserve Funerals.”

The post Artificially Intelligent (AI) Funeral Planning appeared first on Funeralwise.

Prepaid cremation plans allow you to pay for cremation before you need it. In addition to the actual cremation, you can pay in advance for other elements, such as a memorial service or celebration of life. Prepaid plans are available for the full range of cremation services. Plans range from simple direct cremation (no service, remains returned to family) to a full traditional funeral with visitation before cremation.

In most cases, you will contract directly with a funeral home or cremation provider for the services you want. Depending on the service provider you choose, you can arrange to pay for services in one lump sum or a series of installments. One of the most popular methods for paying for a cremation in advance is to take out an insurance policy. The policy will be used at your death to cover the costs of the services you purchase.

How Much Does a Prepaid Cremation Plan Cost?

The cost of a cremation can vary widely. A direct cremation can range from $750 to $4,400. A traditional funeral service preceding the cremation can run between $6,600 to $9,000. Regardless of the type of cremation services you choose, you can prepay for them with an insurance-based prepayment plan. For example, we can provide a 10-year payment plan that grows to a $2,000 payout benefit for only $17 per month.

Our Funeral Insurance Finder is a great way to get an estimate of cremation costs and an insurance policy to cover them. Even better, you can request a consultation with a Preplanning Specialist who can answer your questions and ensure you get a plan that meets your particular financial requirements. Just provide your contact information after you get your quote.

If you are interested in prepaying for a cremation plan that includes traditional or memorial services, our Preplanning Specialist can offer you valuable Free Benefits with our Wise Protection Plan.

Advantages of Prepaying for Cremation

A key reason that many people prepay for cremation is that it lifts the burden of making funeral or cremation arrangements for their loved ones. When the time comes, the difficult decisions have already been made. Your family can start their journey through grief without the stress of planning a funeral.

Another key benefit is that the financial obligations for making end-of-life arrangements are taken care of.  This can be a huge relief to those who are mourning you.

When you prepay for cremation, you can lock in prices to protect against inflation. If you choose to pay using an insurance policy, your money may grow, leaving a surplus for your family. To learn more about the types of policies that offer these advantages, we recommend you speak with one of our preplanning specialists.

Our Prepaid Cremation Plan quoter is an easy way to get an instant quote and arrange to speak with a specialist. Answer a few simple questions, and we’ll provide you with a no-risk quote for a preneed policy. Be sure to provide your contact details, and we’ll put you in touch with a Preplanning Specialist.

What to look out for when prepaying for cremation.

When you make any significant financial commitment, you need to make sure you do your homework before signing a contract. Most complaints involve cases where the provider is no longer in business or they do not honor the terms of the agreement. Here are some ways you can avoid difficulties down the road.

Research the Cremation Providers you are considering.

There are many ways that consumers can gather information on the companies they are considering purchasing prepaid cremation services from.

1. Check the Better Business ratings to see if the company has outstanding complaints.
2. Look for reviews online.
3. Talk with people you know who may have used the provider.
4. Check with the agency that regulates funeral services in your state.

>>Learn more about Cremation

Shop around.

Most communities have multiple funeral homes and cremation providers. Since you are preplanning, you have the luxury of having time to shop around. Checking on what is available at various locations will give you a good idea of what pricing is reasonable and how to cut costs. You’ll also have information that helps you recognize situations where the provider marks up prices as a hedge against inflation.

Many funeral homes and cremation providers post their prices online. Look for the General Price List on websites. Remember, funeral homes must provide you with pricing in writing.

Understand the terms of the Agreement.

It is always tempting to skim over contracts to get on with the process. You never want to do this. Pay particular attention to what will happen to your money if the provider goes out of business or if you relocate. Many prepaid plans do not allow you to transfer plans between funeral homes. This may work fine for you, but if there is a chance your situation may change, be sure your contract allows for that. Find out how the provider will protect your funds. Most states have strict rules regarding how the money for prepaid cremation and burial arrangements must be held to protect you.

Buying a prepaid cremation plan can be a smart financial move. You can minimize risks by doing your homework and learning as much as you can about exactly what you are buying.

One of the best things you can do is speak with a Funeralwise Preplanning Specialist. These professionals can help you choose a reliable provider and determine the best way to fund your plan. To get the process started click here to get a free quote.

The post Prepaid Cremation Cost and Payment Plans appeared first on Funeralwise.

DOES YOUR FAMILY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT?

You’ve probably heard us say that the best time to plan a funeral is before you need it. The same goes for talking about your funeral plan with your loved ones. It doesn’t do much good to have a plan in place if no one knows about it. Remember, a key reason for preplanning is to save your family from having to make difficult decisions at an emotional time. Ensuring that they know what you want is a vital part of that.

Having the Talk

The hardest part of talking about your funeral plan with your loved ones is getting started. It might be easy if there was a right or wrong way, but no luck there. The right way to start a conversation about the type of funeral you want is the one that works for your unique situation. After all, you know your loved ones best, so you are the best judge of the approach that makes both you and your family comfortable.

That said, there are things you can do to help the whole process go smoothly. In fact, you may be surprised at how receptive the people you’re talking to are. Once the awkward part is out of the way, you will probably find that they’ve wanted to have this conversation but didn’t know how to go about it.

7 Tips for Talking with Your Loved Ones About Your Funeral Plan

1. Plan in advance.
   You don’t need a script, but you should think about what you want to accomplish. Do you want to start by going through the big items like burial versus cremation, or do you want to present a detailed funeral plan? How complex you want to get impacts how much time you need and perhaps where you hold the conversation.

   Keep in mind that you’ve had some time to think about this conversation in advance. Your loved ones may not have, and they may be uncomfortable with the subject. Planning can help you frame the discussion to put your loved ones at ease.

2. Decide who to involve in the conversation.
   Deciding who you’d like to involve when talking about your funeral plan depends on your situation, family dynamics, and how much detail you plan to get into. Perhaps you only want to include the person who will be primarily responsible for taking care of your arrangements. Maybe you’d like to have your entire family involved so that everyone is on the same page.
3. Think about where you’d like to have the talk.
   A quiet, comfortable place works best for this kind of discussion. This can be your home, a café, a restaurant, or another spot that can accommodate the number of people you plan to have. If you think it may become emotional, your home may be best. Consider the feelings of those attending and choose a spot that will put your family at ease.
4. Plan how you will start the conversation.
   Think about a topic to use as a starting point. Perhaps there is a triggering event you can bring up—the funeral of someone you know, the illness of a family member, something you’ve seen in a TV show or film. This will help put your decisions in context and avoid putting your loved ones in a position where they feel blindsided.

   Humor and storytelling can be great ice breakers.  If those techniques work for you, take advantage of them. Your goal is to make sure that your loved ones know what you want when the time comes. The conversation shouldn’t be a comedy routine, but it also doesn’t need to be grim.

5. Expect questions and concerns.
   Understandably, the people who care about you may assume that something is wrong when they hear you talking about funeral arrangements. Explain what led you to think about your end-of-life arrangements, and be prepared to offer reassurances. They may also be curious about why you are making certain decisions—for example, cremation over burial. You don’t have to justify your choices, but offering a simple explanation will help to calm your family’s fears.
6. Anticipate emotions and pushback.
   This discussion may be easy for some and hard for others. Someone who is particularly resistant or has difficulty understanding why you want to talk about this now may appreciate being excused from the conversation. If they have significant differences with the approach you have chosen for aspects of your funeral, listen carefully to the objections and respond. If you are still in disagreement, let them know you understand their concerns but request that they honor your wishes.
7. Keep the Topic Open for Further Conversation
   You don’t have to cover everything in one conversation. If you or your loved ones become overwhelmed, set a day and time for a follow-up conversation. If you have one or two individuals designated to take care of the details, it may make sense to meet with them privately. For some people, working in stages is most effective. For example, the first conversation covers the big stuff, such as how you’d like your body handled (i.e., burial versus cremation). Have follow-up to cover the service you’d like and other details.

Thinking about having a conversation with your loved ones about your funeral arrangements can be daunting. Don’t worry, though; you’ve done the work of preparing a plan, so you’ve been through the most challenging part. You may be surprised at how receptive your family is. Often, those involved find the discussion rewarding. They may even share their own plans once you open the topic.

The important thing is that you get the conversation going. Don’t wait until there is a serious situation and you have to rush things. It is never too early to have the talk.

What if you haven’t started your planning or you have yet to put pen to paper?

It is essential that you get your funeral plan down on paper. Funeralwise can help. We designed our Wise Planning Solutions just for that. The Wise Planning System features a vibrant online planner. A key feature of the planner is the ability to designate a “Plan Guardian.” This is a trusted individual (or individuals) who will ensure your plan is carried out when the time comes. Our Wise Protection Plan is an all-inclusive product that helps you create a plan and fund it.

Our website is packed with resources if you would like to learn more about funeral planning and making funeral arrangements. We recommend that you take a few minutes to browse the site even if you already have a plan.

>>Plan Your Funeral BEFORE You Need It

>>Making Funeral Arrangements

>>Celebrations of Life

>>Funeral Insurance

The post Talking About Your Funeral Plan appeared first on Funeralwise.

August 2021

RETIREMENT PLAN VERSUS FUNERAL PLAN

Are you taking the right approach to funeral planning?

For most of us, planning for retirement is an ongoing process. We start early in our careers, tweaking and refining as we go. As life events call for it, we modify the plan.

Crucial to any retirement plan is a set of financial estimates for how we plan to get to where we want to be. If we find that we won’t have the money we need to meet our objectives, we modify the plan along the way. This “update as you go” planning strategy for retirement is tried and true.

When it comes to final expense planning, however, the typical approach is to create a detailed plan for how we want our body to be taken care of and what our ceremony should look like. We may include other end-of-life concerns, but then that’s pretty much it. The plan sits in a drawer and gathers dust. On top of that, our end-of-life plans often neglect to consider how we will pay for them.

Instead of using a one-shot approach to funeral planning, why not look at it the same way we do for retirement? Create a plan—including a strategy to pay for it—and update the plan as your needs change. Thinking about end-of-life planning this way is likely a big change, and it may not be easy. Funeralwise can help. Our latest Forums article offers more insight into the topic. It also has links to tools that are designed to help you meet your goals. Why not take a look now?

>>Read The Full Article

WISE PLANNING TIP: ACTIVATING YOUR PLAN

One of the most powerful features of our Wise Planning System Complete Plan is the ability of your Plan Guardians to “activate” your plan when the time comes. If you currently have the Wise Plan Essentials Version and would like to have access to the “activate” feature, an upgrade is available.

Activating the plan turns on features that are helpful when the time comes to make final arrangements.

On activation, helpful tools are added to your plan. These tools include:

• Post-Funeral Checklist
• Arrangements Checklist
• Address Book and Death Notification Messaging Tool
• Collection of Vital Information

If you aren’t sure which version of the Wise Planning System you have, log in to your plan and click on MY ACCOUNT on the left-hand menu. Your plan type is displayed at the top.

For more information on the Wise Planning System, click here. You can also email us at support@funeralwise.com. We are always happy to answer your questions and provide additional information.

FUNERALWISE PROTECTION PLAN

If you are looking for a comprehensive solution to end-of-life planning, we have good news. Funeralwise now offers the Funeralwise Protection Plan. The Plan is designed to help people design their own meaningful funeral and ensure that there are sufficient funds available to pay for it. What better gift to give your loved ones than the peace of mind of knowing that when the time comes, you’ve got it covered.

To see if the Protection Plan is right for you, click on the button below.

CARING FOR CREMATION ASHES

As cremation becomes increasingly more popular, the question of what to do with the ashes often comes up. You have lots of options! Among the most common are:

• In-ground burial or niche placement
• Scattering
• Display in a decorative urn
• Creation of an art piece or jewelry

To learn more about the many options for handling ashes, read our Forums article.

DON’T HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN YET?
Why not take a few minutes to get started today. TRY THE PLANNER

ALREADY HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN?
Take a few minutes to make sure it’s up-to-date. GO TO YOUR PLAN

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether you are planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide you with straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.v

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February 2022

FUNERALWISE HAS A NEW FRESH LOOK!

Over the past few months, we’ve been working hard to give our website a cleaner, more modern feel. Of course, we’ve still got all the information you’ve come to rely on, but the new navigation is designed to make it easier to find.

In addition to what you see on the surface, we’ve improved our back-end processes to make the site quicker and more responsive on mobile.

We continue to work to bring you the funeral-related information you need along with the most comprehensive funeral planning tools available. We hope that you’ll take a few minutes to try out the new site. We’d love to hear what you think. If you have suggestions or comments please email us at support@funeralwise.com.

The Funeralwise Team

WHAT IS A DEATH DOULA?

For many reasons, not the least of which is the pandemic, an increasing number of people are finding themselves alone when death is near. Enter the Death Doula. These professionals are trained to help people transition peacefully and with love.

Doulas do much more than offer moral support to the dying. In fact, they can provide valuable services to the entire family.

>>Click here to learn more about the role of the Death Doula.

NEW COLLEGIATE URNS!

If you’ve shopped for a cremation urn, you know that they can all start to look the same after a certain point. That’s why we are constantly on the lookout for new and unique options.

We recently added a number of urns to our collection. One of the most popular is the new Collegiate Urns.

These urns are available in a variety of school colors. They are perfect for the diehard fan or for any proud alumnus.

>>See the new Collegiate Urns

THE WISE PROTECTION PLAN

At Funeralwise, we know a little something about planning funerals. In fact, we recommend that everyone take the time to consider how they would like their end-of-life plans to be handled. After all, the best time to plan a funeral is BEFORE you need it!

Over the years, we’ve found that for many people, the do-it-yourself approach doesn’t fit, or the planning is done, but it’s missing one crucial element–how to pay for it. Luckily, we’ve come up with a solution. We now offer the Wise Protection Plan.

The Protection Plan, available only through Funeralwise, is designed to help people create their own meaningful funeral with the help of an expert Preplanning Specialist and ensure that there are sufficient funds available to pay for it.

Whether you are planning for yourself or a loved one, the Wise Protection Plan may be just the thing you need to get it done. It’s the most comprehensive tool in our family of Wise Planning Solutions. It can help you give yourself and your loved ones the peace of mind that comes with knowing that there will be sufficient funds available for your funeral.

We encourage you to take a look at the Plan and see if it’s right for you.

>>Learn More About the Wise Protection Plan

10 TIPS FOR HAVING A CHEAP FUNERAL

Lots of people look for ways to have a cheap funeral. It’s not that they don’t care about the funeral; they just can’t afford today’s funeral costs.

Fortunately, with some pre-planning and a little creativity, you can have a nice end-of-life send-off without breaking the bank. In other words, you can have a cheap funeral that doesn’t look cheap!

>>Click to read the full “10 Tips For Having a Cheap Funeral” article

COMING SOON TO FUNERALWISE

Within the next few weeks, we will introduce two new resources that we think you will find particularly helpful.

The first is a webinar designed to provide you with everything you need to get started on your funeral planning journey.

The second is a comprehensive funeral planning e-book.

Keep an eye out for emails explaining how you can take advantage of these great new tools.

DON’T HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN YET?
Why not take a few minutes to get started today. TRY THE PLANNER

ALREADY HAVE A FUNERAL PLAN?
Take a few minutes to make sure it’s up-to-date. GO TO YOUR PLAN

Funeralwise.com is the place to go on the web for everything you need to know about funerals. Whether you are planning a funeral or attending one, we will provide you with straightforward answers to your questions and step-by-step instructions to guide you on your way.v

The post We Have a Whole New Look appeared first on Funeralwise.

Why Plan Ahead for Your Funeral?

The goal of preplanning your funeral is to help ease the burdens that will fall on your family, your loved ones, those you will someday leave behind. After a death, the surviving family is faced with 3 primary burdens – emotional burdens, obviously, but also financial and legal burdens. The purpose of planning ahead is to prepare them to deal with these burdens. It’s a caring and thoughtful thing to do for the people you care about the most.

Important: Do You Need to Make Funeral Arrangements Now? If you need to make arrangements for someone who has recently died or for whom death is imminent, visit our funeral arrangements page for step-by-step guidance.

Video: See the Quick Way to Start Your Funeral Planning

Funeral Planning: Step-By-Step

1. Plan ahead. Planning ahead is the best thing you can do. Your plan doesn’t need to be complicated. Even a simple plan will be helpful to your family. Start with the basics: Interment choices (i.e., burial, cremation, donation to medical science, burial at sea); and funeral service choices (i.e., a traditional funeral, memorial service, graveside service, no service).
2. Estimate the cost of your funeral. Change your choices, if necessary, to reduce the expected cost.
3. Share your funeral plan with your family so they know your wishes. Pick a trusted family member, friend or advisor to be primarily responsible for carrying out your wishes. Start with your basic plan and then keep them updated as you add details over time.
4. Specify the details of your funeral ceremonies. This is optional if you prefer not to go into the details. But keep in mind that it will be very helpful to those who will be making the final arrangements for your funeral. A Celebrant can help you plan the funeral ceremonies.
5. Make financial arrangements to pay for your funeral. Figure out if you will leave behind enough money to cover the funeral cost and other final expenses. Consider funeral insurance, trusting, pre-purchasing cemetery space, and a pre-need contract for funeral services.
6. Organize and document your key personal information. This will be essential for wrapping up your affairs and will be helpful to those who will be delivering eulogies and writing your obituary. Also, think about what you might want to leave behind for genealogy purposes. Future generations in your family will appreciate all of this information.

Funeral Planning with our Wise Planning Solutions

Our Wise Planning System is a comprehensive do-it-yourself methodology that helps you plan your funeral the right way–YOUR WAY. Consisting of a set of easy-to-use online tools, the system organizes the planning process and guides you along the way. It’s a proven method that puts you in control of your funeral plans and allows you to easily create, maintain and share your funeral plans.

To learn more, see our Wise Planning Solutions Comparison Chart.

The Quick Plan is the first step of our Wise Planning Solutions and is a great way to jump-start your funeral planning. Once you have created a Quick Plan, be sure to save it. Once you do, you’ll be able to add additional details. The planning tool will also show you how much adding features and products adds to the cost of the funeral.

Start My Quick Plan

Prefer to work on paper? For those who prefer to put their funeral plans on paper, our Funeral Planning Form is the perfect place to start. This handy funeral planning checklist will help you compile all the information you need in one convenient location.

Funeral Planning Tips and Advice

• When to Plan Ahead: The best time to plan ahead for a funeral is any time except at the time of the funeral. After all, you wouldn’t try to plan a wedding in just a few days. A funeral is the ultimate celebration of your life. Planning ahead gives you the opportunity to decide what you want, how you want it, and when you want it. Best of all, you aren’t locked in. If you change your mind, just update your plan. Check out our article on Funeral Preplanning to learn more about how to get started.
• Funding Pre-planned Funerals: Deciding whether or not to fund your pre-planned funeral in advance can be confusing. There are a lot of good reasons to consider pre-funding your funeral, and you’ll rest easy knowing the money is there when it’s needed. Even better, the burden will be taken off those you leave behind, and you can lock in prices.
• Changing Funeral Contracts: Be sure to carefully check ALL the terms of your before you sign it. Some contracts allow for changes down the road while others do not.
• Prepaying Considerations: Like just about everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to prepaying for funeral goods and services. Whether or not it’s right for you will depend on your circumstances. You want to be certain that the arrangement you enter into will suit your needs down the road. Carefully read overall terms and conditions, including the fine print.
• Planning Ceremony Details: For detailed planning of a funeral or memorial service, you’ll find excellent advice in Funeral Ceremonies, and tips for writing Eulogies and Obituaries.
• Green Pre-Planning: Green burial is a relatively new option but it is becoming increasingly more popular. Pre-planning is the perfect time to investigate your options. Visit our <a href=”https://www.funeralwise.com//funeral-planning/green-burial/”Green Pre-Planning and Green burial sections so that you can be sure to explore all the options available to you.
• Your Family and Grief. Your funeral isn’t just about you. It is vitally important for your family. They will want to give you a meaningful tribute. A funeral for a loved one is an important part of the healing process. It’s a time for your family to remember, say goodbye, and start a new stage of life.

Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones Unprepared

It’s not easy to think about end-of-life. Nobody wants to plan a funeral. But face it, we all have to do it at some point. Planning ahead is a caring thing to do for your family. You are giving them the peace of mind that comes with knowing they will be able to celebrate your life and honor your wishes.

Take this Free 60-second survey to find out how prepared you are and what you more you need to do.

Try the Survey

How To Pay Funeral Costs

There are many elements that go into the cost of a funeral. From the services provided by the funeral director to the casket to the flowers, costs continue to rise. Today, a traditional funeral can easily cost more than $10,000. Leaving behind no mechanism to pay for these items can place a heavy financial burden on your loved ones. Remember, payment is due at the time of the funeral.

So how do you know how much to set aside and how to control the cost? The best way to manage your funeral costs is to do some advanced planning. Our Wise Protection Plan is a one-of-a-kind plan that includes the free personal advice or a Preplanning Specialist, essential legal documents for free, and an affordable prepaid funeral plan.

Our section on Funeral Costs will help you understand just what goes into the cost of a funeral and some of the financial and legal issues you need to consider.

The Types of Funerals People are Choosing

Thousands of people have used our free online planning tools where we guide you step-by-step in making a few key choices about the kind of funeral you want as well as what that type of funeral usually costs. Below is a sample of the funeral plans people are making so you can see you have lots of options to choose from.

Last updated: July 24, 2022

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Lots of people look for ways to have a cheap funeral. It’s not that they don’t care about the funeral, they just can’t afford today’s funeral costs (see how much a funeral costs). Fortunately, with some pre-planning and a little creativity, you can have a nice end-of-life send-off without breaking the bank. In other words, you can have a cheap funeral that doesn’t look cheap!

Change How You Think About Funerals

We generally think of a funeral as one event but there are really two elements to consider. First, there’s the care of the deceased, and second, the funeral ceremony.  There are ways to manage the costs of each element. If you want to keep costs down, you’ll have to decide what’s most important to you and make some choices.

Here are our top 10 tips for having a cheap funeral without having it look cheap. Remember, the purpose is to honor the deceased and offer support to those grieving the loss. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to do that!

How much you spend on a funeral does not necessarily reflect on how you feel about the deceased or how meaningful the ceremony is. You can have a cheap funeral that is a beautiful tribute to the deceased. The important thing is that the ceremony reflects the life of the person who is no longer with you and offers those grieving the chance to gather with others to share their mourning.

Don’t like slideshows? Here’s the full cheap funerals list.

10 Tips for Having a Cheap Funeral That Doesn’t Look Cheap

1. Plan Ahead
   The number one way you can save money on a funeral is by planning ahead. When you decide what you want in advance, you avoid making emotional purchases, and you have time to consider what is important to you. After all, do you really need those solid gold casket handles or that top-of-the-line exotic wood? You might, but chances are, you can get by with something a little more modest. Of course, it’s not always possible to make arrangements in advance, but we highly recommend it if you can.

   >>Learn more about the Funeralwise Wise Planning System

2. Set a Budget
   Reducing your costs means making choices and, to do that, you need to have a top-line number in mind. Deciding how much you can afford to spend before you start shopping can help avoid emotional decisions or buying extras that you don’t need. If you are working with a funeral director, a budget figure will help them present you with options in your price range. They might have funeral packages that meet your needs and will save you money. Remember, having an inexpensive funeral doesn’t mean you don’t care about the person you are honoring. No one is keeping score.
3. Shop Around
   Shopping around goes hand in hand with planning. You’ll have more time to consider what you are buying, and you’ll have enough information to know if the items you are quoted are in line with market prices. After all, you are making a big-budget purchase. It helps to gather as much information as you can so you can make an informed decision. Would you consider buying a car or making another significant purchase without having prices to compare? The same applies here.
4. Choose Funeral Services Wisely
   Various funeral home costs are based on the number of hours of service. For example, they have extra charges for weekends and overtime. You can adjust the schedule to avoid these costs. Also, you can save money by holding a visitation immediately preceding the funeral and reducing the number of days or hours for the viewing. Do you need to have a procession to the cemetery and additional services once you are there? Graveside-only services can reduce costs. You might limit certain services to immediate family to limit the hourly costs. For example, will you have a reception or a luncheon? If so, does it need to be catered, or can family and friends help out? Funeral ceremonies do not have to be elaborate to be meaningful.

   >>See our How-to Guide for Making Funeral Arrangements

5. Scale Back on Funeral Products
   There is a wide range of choices for caskets, burial vaults, and cremation urns. There are also a variety of places where you can purchase funeral products. You can save thousands of dollars by choosing wisely. Do you really need the top-of-the-line casket or vault? There may be less expensive options that are suitable for the intended purpose. If you plan to scatter the ashes, you may not need to purchase an urn, and there are containers designed specifically for scattering. If you will display the urn or would prefer a more permanent container, there are many beautiful options available in every price range.

   >>See our guide to Buying Funeral and Memorial Products.

6. Hold Your Own Ceremony
   We often think of funerals and memorial services as being held at a funeral home or church, but you can have a ceremony just about anywhere. A family home, a park, or another favorite location may be perfectly appropriate and can be a great alternative if you are trying to have an inexpensive funeral. An added advantage of taking care of the ceremony on your own is that you can include other family members in making the arrangements. Remember that personalization can make for a truly memorable celebration.

   >>Learn more about Celebrations of Life

7. Consider Cremation Over Burial
   Cremation isn’t for everyone, but it is worth considering if you are comfortable with the process and it is compatible with your family traditions and religious beliefs. Cremation is almost always less expensive than burial. Part of that is because you don’t need to buy a plot, and unless you plan to have a viewing, you won’t need to pay for embalming.
8. Consider Direct Cremation or Burial
   Direct cremation means having the body delivered directly to the crematorium and then having the remains returned to the loved ones. Direct burial means the body is sent directly to the cemetery. Choosing direct cremation or burial does not mean you can’t have a ceremony. You can hold a memorial service at any time. Direct burial or cremation can be an excellent option since it can save you money by avoiding some of the costs that go along with traditional cremation or burial.
9. Donate Your Body to Science
   When a body is donated to science, you incur no costs. Under most programs, the body is cremated, and the remains are sent back to the family once the research is complete. Remember that donations to science must be arranged well before death since not everyone qualifies for donation programs.

   >>Learn more about donating your body to science.

10. Take Advantage of All the Benefits To Which You Are Entitled
    The Veteran’s Administration, Social Security, fraternal organizations, and other groups may provide death benefits to which the deceased is entitled. Check the deceased’s files, military records, and work history to see if there are benefits you can claim.

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Whether or not to seal a cremation urn is a personal decision that depends on the type of urn, if it will be displayed or buried, and your unique circumstances. The sealing process is not difficult, but it can be surprisingly emotional. For many people, sealing the urn represents a final step in their loved one’s journey. With that in mind, it’s best to set aside some quiet time so that you can take it at your own pace.

Metal Urns

Most metal cremation urns have a threaded cap or removable disc that covers the ash compartment. To create a permanent seal, add a small amount of clear, silicone epoxy or metal glue to the threads before closing the lid. Take your time, and be sure to wipe away any overspill quickly.

Sealing cremation urns that are made of metal — bronze and brass, for example, is usually not necessary. Some people however prefer the added sense of security that the glue can provide.

>>Cremation Urns: How to Buy and What to Look For

Ceramic or Glass Urns

Many ceramic and glass urns are designed with a cap that rests on the top of the urn’s body but is not threaded. To seal the lid to the urn, use a clear silicone sealant. The sealant will help provide water resistance and create a permanent airtight seal.

When sealing cremation urns that are made of ceramic or glass, carefully squeeze a thin bead of sealant around the cap, then place the cap back on the urn, gently pressing it into place. Be sure to follow the directions on the adhesive with regard to drying time. We recommend you let the sealant dry for 24  hours before handling it.

Sealants can be purchased at big box store, hardware stores, online, and where ever home repair goods are sold. Avoid glues that expand or foam. While soap and water cleanup is not essential, it is a big bonus.

Wooden Urns

Most wood urns close in a box-like fashion or have a sliding panel at the bottom that is removable. There is no need to seal, but some people prefer to do so. Wood glue or a glue designed for porous materials will work for this purpose. Just remember that you are creating a permanent seal so if you change your mind you may not be able to reopen the box.

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