What Is Preplanning?
Preplanning is the process of defining your funeral arrangements ahead of time. There are three major advantages to planning your arrangements in advance.

First, preplanning allows you to consider and define your final wishes, so your loved ones and your funeral home will be able to fulfill them. Because death is a difficult subject to discuss, your family may not know or understand your wishes in this matter.

Then, preplanning can minimize the financial burden that a funeral might represent to your survivors. If you decide to prepay, your funeral will cost less now than it would in the future.

Finally, preplanning provides you and your family with peace-of-mind. You know that everything has been taken care of according to your wishes. It's the best gift you can leave your loved ones.

Do I Have To Prepay For My Funeral Now?
No. Many people just want to have their final arrangements known in advance. Preplanning enables you to decide upon the type of ceremony you want, to select a casket, and so on without actually paying having to pay. Knowing your wishes is the most important thing. Then there is no confusion about your intentions at the time of your death.

Are Payment Options Available?
Many people pay for a funeral in one lump sum, while others prefer to arrange a payment plan. As well, you can use the present value of your existing life insurance to pay for your funeral without being required to cash in the policy.

Do Funeral Prices Increase?
Like everything, prices are determined by the economy, and by costs. However, when you prepay for your arrangements, you lock in your service at a fixed price. When your funeral is paid for, we provide a written guarantee that the total price of your funeral will not increase. In this scenario, the funeral home charges are guaranteed, as well as any merchandise you select, and any other expenses such as cemetery fees. Preplanning is a financially prudent decision.

Is My Funeral Prepayment Secure?
Any funds we receive towards a prepaid funeral are placed into an Irrevocable Mortuary Trust account, in accordance with state law. This Trust is insured and the funds gain interest, which we maintain in the account to offset future price increases. We pay all taxes and administrative fees each year for you. No one can access these funds or cancel the Trust. By Federal and State law, the funds can only be used to perform the service you selected and withdrawn only at the time of death.

Should I Compare Different Funeral Homes?
If you have never dealt with a funeral home in the past, you may want to meet with several before you make your decision. All funeral homes in our area offer some sort of preplanning program and all are priced competitively. While price is an important consideration, it should not be the only one. You should also compare things such as the quality of the facilities, professionalism of the staff and their attention to your needs in offering a service that's right for you. These factors will go a long way in assisting your family at a most difficult time. That is the first reason to preplan!

How Can I Begin The Pre-Planning Process?
Just call Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home to set up an appointment. Meanwhile, you may visit our Online Preplanning Form to begin the process.