| What is a prearranged funeral? |
A prearranged funeral is a funeral arrangement made prior to a death.
It is a practical way of determining your wishes for your own funeral, or for the funeral of a person for whom you are responsible |
|
| How do you make funeral prearrangements? |
| It is not a difficult or complicated task. Simply call us at 905-735-5713 and make an appointment. There is no charge for prearrangement consultation. Price lists of services and caskets are available upon request, without obligation or charge. Prearrangements can be made at the Funeral Residence or in the privacy of your own home. Your wishes are recorded in writing and retained on file until needed. |
|
| Who prearranges a funeral? |
Although anyone should consider prearranging, it is usually done by retired people who are making a will or changing a will. Family members or an executor who is responsible for the care of someone in a nursing home or retirement home should also prearrange as should people who travel and vacation outside Canada. Family members who are caring for someone terminally ill also consider it an important step in palliative care planning.
|
|
| What are the advantages of prearrangements? |
Most people tell us “Peace of Mind”.
Prearrangement provides an opportunity to ask questions to get clear and concise answers on all aspects of the funeral. Personal choices are considered and economic decisions can be made while not under emotional stress. The process ensures your wishes are recorded in writing and retained on file. It also relieves family members of difficult choices at time of death. Prearrangement is a practical idea that makes sense. It is part of sensible estate planning such as Making a Will, Pensions/RRSP, and Life Insurance Benefits. |
|
| Can a prearranged funeral be prepaid? |
Yes, at your option. Payment is made in advance at today’s cost.
Payment can be made a once at one time or in instalments.
You can also prearrange without prepayment. |
|
| If I choose to prepay my funeral what prepayment options do I have? |
With a Pre-Need Funeral Insurance Plan:
- No age restriction for single payment policies
- Anyone up to 85 years can qualify for 3, 5, 10 and 20 year installment policies.
- No medical is required.
- The growth portion of the policy is applied to any cost increase when the services are required.
With a Trust Fund Plan
- Single Payment guarantees the price
- With installment payments, the price is not guaranteed until the payments are completed
- No age restriction
- The funeral home must deposit your funds in trust.
- The accrued interest growth is applied to any cost increase when the services are required. |
|
| What does the insurance plan and trust fund plan have in common? |
In both cases the funeral services prepaid are guaranteed.
There are no further charges to the family or estate -- except any items that are selected at the time of need that were not prepaid.
Interest growth on a pre-arranged funeral is not subject to income tax as long as the funds are used for funeral related expenses.
All Prepaid funds are protected by law by compensation funds, either the Prepaid Funeral Services Compensation Fund or the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Compensation Corporation. The maximum anyone can contribute to a prepaid funeral is $15,000.00. You can withdraw prepaid funds upon request with all accrued interest, less an administration fee.
For example:
A Trust funded plan administration fee is $200.00 or 10%
An Insurance funded plan administration fee is based on a decreasing annual percentage as prescribed by the insurance company. |
|
| What information does a Funeral Director require for prearrangement? |
Name, address, birth date and birthplace
- Social Insurance Number
- Full name of husband or maiden name of wife, even if widowed or divorced
- Occupation
- Father’s name and birthplace
- Mother’s maiden name and birthplace
- Cemetery or crematorium
- Clergy’s name
- Place of service - Church, Funeral Home Chapel
- Name and address of executor, legal representative or next of kin |
|
| What are my responsibilities as an estate Trustee / Executor? |
| One of the first responsibilities of an executor is making or assisting with the funeral arrangements. Secondly, the executor must administer the estate and fulfill the wishes of the deceased as recorded in his or her Last Will and Testament. |
|
| What should an estate Trustee / Executor know? |
Where the will is located and what it contains. If you trust a person enough to make them an executor, give them a copy of your will.
Keep your original will in a safety deposit box, but keep a copy at home. Generally banks are not open on holidays and weekends.
Inform your executor of what your funeral prearrangements are. Many wills only state what Funeral Home to call, not what the person’s wishes are. |
|
