Asked & Answered

Local experts answer reader questions

Q:Should I consider pre-planning my funeral as part of my overall estate planning?

A:When you are planning your estate, you funeral should definitely have a pre arrangement completed. Planning your estate should reference the funeral home of your choice, a copy of the arrangements you wish to have completed and if you made any financial arrangements. You don’t have to pre-pay for your funeral, just sit and make a pre arrangement with a funeral director. When you are ready to make your pre arrangement, what you discuss can be changed at any time or altered. This way you will get all your thoughts and wishes put on paper. The reason you should include the pre-planned funeral in your estate is mainly so your family know what your wishes are and what funeral home to call. This takes a lot of pressure off of your family at a very emotional time in their life. This also means when you are planning your estate you can figure out or have a good idea where you would like your finances to be at that time of your life. You may want to pre-pay your funeral or you may realize there will be plenty of money in your estate to look after the costs for your funeral.