Why Plan Ahead

Planning for life’s important events and milestones is something everybody already does. We plan for the arrival of our children, their graduations, important birthdays and anniversaries, as well as our own retirement. Most of us even plan for smaller things like vacations or even a trip to the grocery store.

Making sure your family knows what to do if something happens to you is one of the most important plans you can make. By talking about your wishes and planning ahead, your family will not have to make decisions that are almost guaranteed to intensify their emotional stress. You’ll also eliminate potential conflicts over what should be done, including how much to spend.

Planning ahead is easier than you think and you will have great peace of mind knowing this has been accomplished. Morris Family Services knows that this can be unpleasant to think or talk about. We do not rush or ever pressure anyone.

  • Protect your family from undue stress during a difficult time
  • Clearly define your final wishes and how you would like to be remembered
  • Save your family from emotional over spending

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Benefits of Pre-Arrangement

Planning your funeral arrangements in advance can offer you and your family a number of benefits:

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Emotional Benefits

  • More Time to Consider Your Options – You and your family will have time to research your options and make well-informed decisions, without feeling rushed
  • A Sense of Accomplishment – You’ll feel good knowing that these arrangements have been taken care of
  • Fewer Family Concerns – Your surviving family members will have less to worry about in the event of your death

Financial Benefits

  • The Pre-payment Option – When you pre-pay, you can lock in today’s prices. Our funeral director will explain each payment method and investment option available, and will help you make a decision that best suits you and your family
  • Your Family Keeps More – When you pre-pay, your estate will owe nothing on funeral expenses. More of your assets and life insurance proceeds will go directly to your family
  • Save the Amount You Need – Once you gain an understanding of all the costs involved, you can earmark a portion of your savings to cover those costs
  • Fewer Last-minute Expenses – When you plan in advance, your family is less likely to incur additional expenses at the time of the funeral.

To request more information regarding Preplanning/Prearrangement, or to begin the preplanning process, please
call us at (270) 215-2597. Or, you can complete our easy On-Line Prearrangement Form now.

Learn about pre-planning in person with the experts.

Visit one of our pre-planning seminars for The Hartford Memorial Funeral Chapel.

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Pre-Arrangement FAQs

1What is Pre-planning, or Pre-arrangement?
When you plan in advance, you are making choices now based on your wishes as to how your final arrangements will be carried out. Thus, you can reduce family concerns at the time of your death.
2Why Pre-Arrange?
Once you’ve made your decision, you tell us exactly what funeral service you wish. We’ll help you put it in writing. Then there’s no doubt about your expressed wishes, therefore preventing family disputes or involvement by others who may not know what you wanted. Your loved ones won’t need to ask: Did we do the right thing? Did we spend too much or too little? Is it what he or she wanted? Did we forget anything? All that’s eliminated because it’s in writing.
3What do I need to do to pre-plan?
At your convenience, you can meet with a member of our staff to discuss your options and your preferences. When you make arrangements in advance, you’ll want to consider your site of choice, the committal service, and the type of permanent memorial. By making some or all of these decisions now, you give your family peace of mind, and also benefit financially.
4What are the advantages of advanced planning?
There are many advantages when you take care of your final arrangements in advance. The most obvious benefit is financial, but there are a number of emotional benefits, too. When you make arrangements in advance you have a better opportunity to make informed choices. If you decide to prepay, you guarantee today’s prices, and can take advantage of affordable payment plans. We can provide additional professional advice on pre-planning and prepaying.
5What is the difference between pre-paying and pre-planning?
When you pre-plan, you do not need to pay for everything in advance—your estate can pay for the services at the rates being charged when your funeral is held. When your plan is complete, the funeral director will keep it on file until it is needed. However, if you pre-pay at the time you make your pre-arrangements, you can lock in today’s prices. We offer several affordable payment and investment options. We’ll be happy to discuss these options with you and help you make a decision that best suits your needs.
6What are my payment options?
Morris Family Services offers a variety of flexible options to fit your needs such as an “Early Paid-Up” option and a “Death Away from Home” rider.
7Where does the money go which I pre-pay into a plan?
We offer insurance funded funeral policies. An insurance funeral policy offers an increasing, tax-free death benefit and may protect you for the full cost of your funeral. With our help, your pre-arranged funeral may be funded by an insurance funeral policy. This will eliminate many questions, indecision, and the financial burden when these services are needed.
8What If I Move To Another State?
It is not uncommon for people to relocate in this mobile society. Because this is an insurance policy, you may change the assignment or beneficiary (when state laws permit) to another funeral home.
9What if the cost of the services/products I pre-pay is greatly increased at the time of my death?
Once you pre-pay for a site on our property, the terms both parties agree to are permanently in effect. For other types of services, the cemetery cannot guarantee that the fund of money established by the purchaser will be sufficient to purchase those services. However, the interest earned by a fully funded account should offset any reasonable price increase.
10What if your cemetery is no longer in business at the time of my death?
Because your money is held in a certified Trust governed by state law, it will always be there for you, even if our business were to be purchased or go out of business.
11What information will I need to provide on the On-line Pre-planning/Pre-arrangement Form?
This easy-to-use form should take only a few minutes to complete and will require contact information, and your site/property and memorialization preferences. You’ll have the option to select services, based on your preferences and the associated costs. View or complete the On-line Pre-arrangement Form now. Please contact us to answer your questions and concerns on preplanning. Or, you can complete our easy On-line Pre-arrangement Form now.