Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
In my opinion, it is not a good idea. I would never pay for a cremation or burial in advance. Specify how you want your funeral to be handled in your will, and provide money in your estate to cover the cost. How do you even know that your survivors will be able to find the cremation contract when you die? If it was a good idea, they wouldn't be offering free meals to give you a sales pitch.
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Full disclosure, I'm a Pre-Need Arrangement Counselor with Baldwin Brothers as well as a Villager. Your concerns are legitimate. We offer seminars, which include a free meal, to get information into our families hands and answer questions in a relaxed atmosphere. There is never an obligation to purchase. In fact, we tell people not to bring their checkbooks to a seminar, but instead bring their calendar so they can schedule an appointment if ready.
Here are the answers to your questions directly...
1) Specifying your wishes in your will is fine, but often the will isn't read immediately so it's always important to inform your loved ones of your wishes ahead of time.
2) If you've prepaid the arrangements it contractually locks in the price, no matter how long before you need it. It's inflation proof. More importantly, you are eliminating the financial burden and the emotional stress from your family. It's smart planning.
3) If you tell your family that your arrangements are pre-planned and PAID for they will find the information when the time comes. Baldwin Brothers provides an identification card showing your contract number and the 800 phone # which has 24/7 access. You'll keep this card in your wallet, behind your drivers license. We'll give you additional cards to share with your family and I also have an easy tip for sharing the information with them.
I hope this information helps. It's not an easy subject to discuss but it is important.