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Approximately
seven million Americans have prearranged their funeral
with a funeral home. This is because more and more
people are recognizing that planning a funeral in
advance demonstrates love and consideration toward
their family members. It is a thoughtful decision
that reduces the stress of indecision and uncertainty
when a death occurs.
The
planning process is something that has been a part
of our daily lives forever. We purchase fire insurance
for our home for the possible event of a fire; we
purchase auto insurance for the possible event of
an accident; doesn't it make sense to plan for the
one event that is certain to happen?
We
give you the opportunity to make your choices with
the freedom from the usual urgencies that are created
when a death occurs. Advance planning makes good sense,
and is an economically sound decision. For additional
information, you may always call at 617-889-1177.
Plan your own funeral: Can I place my records on file
over the Smith Funeral Home web site?
Yes.
Many families choose to start their prearrangement
process right here on our web site. You will find
a list of information to plug in your choices, and
one of our funeral directors will be happy to help
you.
To
begin the process of Advance Planning CLICK
HERE
If
you have any questions about preplanning, feel free
to contact us at our funeral home, or email directly
at advanceplanning@smithmemorial.com.
Why
Pre-Arrange?
What
steps are involved?
What
if I move?
Things
that must be done on the Most Difficult Day of Your
Life.
TOP
Why
do families prearrange?
There
are many reasons families prearrange, including:
- To
give yourself time to think about certain aspects
of the service without having to make immediate
decisions
- Make
sure your preferences for the type of funeral
service you desire are fulfilled
- Control
Costs. By paying for your funeral in advance,
your assets are protected and grow at competitive
interest rates
- To
relieve your family members of the financial responsibility
of funeral expenses at the time of death
- To
ensure understanding of possible benefits at the
time of death for your survivors, such as social
security, veteran benefits, and life insurance
claims
- To
avoid giving the surviving family members the
104 decisions that must be made on the most difficult
day of their life (see this list below)
- Knowing
that your plans and confidences are with an over
50 year old, family-owned business, providing
the community with an honest staff of professional,
licensed funeral directors dedicated to superior
quality and value
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Things
that must be done on the Most Difficult Day of Your
Life
A.
SECURE VITAL STATISTICS (Required For Documents)
- Full
name, complete address, telephone number
- Date
of birth
- Place
of birth
- Marital
status
- Educational
attainment
- Citizenship
(US/Canadian/Other)
- Father's
name
- Father's
birthplace
- Mother's
maiden name
- Mother's
birthplace
- Social
Security Number
- Veteran's
Serial/Service Number
- Date
& place of service, date of discharge
- How
long at current residence/former residence(s)
- Occupation,
job title, nature of work & history
- Location
of workplace, telephone number
- Family
origin
B.
PAY SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
- Estate
/ Inheritance taxes
- Funeral
expenses
- Purchase
of family burial estate, mausoleum crypt, cremation
niche, opening & closing costs
- Permanent
memorialization
- Monument/Marker
engraving charges
- Clergy
- Organist
and vocalist
- Florist
- Obituary
Fees
- Clothing
for burial, entombment or cremation
- Long
distance telephone
- Food
for visiting relatives
- Transportation
costs
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Other
medical practitioners
- Ambulance
- Hospital/Nursing
Home
- Medications
& drugs
- Current
& urgent bills (mortgage/rent, taxes, installment
payments, etc.)
C.
COLLECT DOCUMENTS AND PAPERWORK
- Birth
certificate/legal proof of age
- Citizenship
papers
- Social
Security card or number
- Marriage
license
- Veteran's
discharge certificate
- Insurance
policies (life, health, accident, property,
auto)
- Disability
claims
- Bank
books and listing of accounts
- Other
financial accounts
- Cemetery
deed or proof of ownership
- Auto
titles or bill of sale
- Income
tax returns, receipts & canceled checks
D.
DECIDE AND ARRANGE WITHIN A FEW HOURS
- Exact
location of burial/disposition and which space
to open
- Location
of service
- Service
type (religious, fraternal, military)
- Time
for visitation and funeral service
- Arrange
for special religious services
- Provide
information for eulogy
- Determine
if casket is open or closed
- Burial
Vault
- Provide
vital statistics about deceased for newspaper
- Clothing
and jewelry for deceased
- Selection
of scripture & readings (poems etc.)
- Selection
of clergy
- Funeral
Home preference
- Marking
of grave (either temporary or permanent)
- Charitable
contributions for memorials in memory of deceased
- Register
book, memorial/prayer cards
- Select
Pallbearers
- Select
floral arrangements
- Musical
selections
- Select
Organist/Vocalist
- Clothing
for you & minor children
- Decide
who will look after minor children/pets
- House
cleaning
- Extra
chairs
- Decide
if transportation is needed for family &
guests, including funeral procession lineup
- Reviewing
& signing all paperwork
- Answering
innumerable phone calls, messages and letters
- Necessary
meetings with funeral director, lawyer, clergy,
cemetery, etc.
- Arrange
lodging for out-of-town guests
- Acknowledging
those who help in a special way (contributors
of flowers, food, donations, etc.)
- Order
certified copies of death certificate
- Items
for memento display
- Review
deceased's will regarding special wishes
E.
PLAN TO NOTIFY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
- All
relatives
- All
friends
- Minister
and church
- Funeral
director
- Pallbearers
- Cemetery
- Doctor
- Employer
of deceased
- Employers
of relatives not going to work
- Organist,
other musicians & vocalists
- Newspapers
regarding notices
- Social
Security Administration
- Veterans
Administration
- Insurance
agents
- Religious,
fraternal, civic organizations & unions
- Attorney,
accountant, financial planner & executor
of estate
- Credit
card companies
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What
steps are involved in prearrangement?
We
will explain your options and guide you in establishing
your own plans. You should find the advice of your
family, clergy, and funeral director especially
helpful when considering your options. We will record
all your wishes and vital information, as well as
assist in gathering documents to keep at the funeral
home.
After
deciding the details for the funeral, you can select
any merchandise you may desire for the services.
Our
funeral home can even provide you the opportunity
to make selections and set aside funds for flowers,
the funeral escort to the cemetery, custom memorial
folders and acknowledgments. Many will even prepay
the opening and closing of the grave/crypt for the
cemetery. At Smith Funeral Home, we price guarantee
OUR FEES if prepaid in full.
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What
If I move out of town?
If
you should relocate to another city after prearranging,
and wish to utilize another funeral home, Smith
Funeral Home will transfer prearrangement to the
funeral home of your choice.
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