Plan Ahead

Why Should I Plan Ahead?

Not everyone likes to plan ahead, but pre-planning your funeral arrangements not only gives you peace of mind about your final wishes being honored but alleviates some of the stress and burden your loved ones are going through as they experience the grief associated with the loss.
‍
The staff of Carter Funeral Home is happy to assist you with your funeral pre-need by helping you make decisions about your funeral service in advance and guiding you in helping eliminate some of the unnecessary stress brought on by a loved one’s death.

Secure Online Funeral Services Preplanning Form For Carter Funeral Home in Richmond County, NC

Your Pre-Planned Funeral: Portability and Peace of Mind

Planning for your funeral can be a significant act of kindness, relieving your loved ones of a difficult burden during a time of grief. Many people choose to pre-plan and pre-pay for their funeral arrangements at a funeral home. But what happens if your circumstances change? What if you move, or simply decide a different funeral home is a better fit? The good news is, your pre-planned service can usually be transferred, offering you flexibility and continued peace of mind.

The Transferability of Your Preneed Funeral Plan

One of the most important things to understand is that your pre-planned funeral arrangements are generally transferable to another funeral home. You are not locked into using the funeral home where you initially made your arrangements. While specifics can vary depending on state laws and individual contract terms, the underlying principle remains: you have the right to choose the funeral home that best serves your needs.

What Happens to the Funds?

When transferring your preneed funeral plan, it's crucial to understand how the funds are handled:

  • Full Transfer of Funds and Interest: Generally, all the funds you've paid into the preneed plan, along with any interest earned, will be transferred to the funeral home that ultimately performs the services. You are not losing the money you've invested.
  • Inflation-Proof Provision May Not Transfer: A key component of pre-planning is often the "inflation-proof" aspect, guaranteeing that the cost of the services you've selected will be covered regardless of price increases in the future. While the funds will transfer, the guarantee that those funds will cover the exact same services at a different funeral home may not remain in effect. This is because pricing for services and merchandise can vary between funeral homes. The receiving funeral home will use the transferred funds and interest as a credit towards the cost of their services and merchandise at their current rates.



when can you transfer y our preneed plan?

  • You have options when it comes to transferring your preneed plan:
  • Prior to Death: You can initiate the transfer yourself at any time before your passing. This might be necessary if you move to a new location or simply prefer a different funeral home.
  • At the Time of Need: Your family can arrange the transfer at the time of your death. This is particularly relevant if you pass away in a location different from where your original arrangements were made.

Important considerations before transferring

  • Review Your Original Contract: Carefully examine the terms of your preneed funeral contract for any specific clauses related to transfers, cancellation policies, or potential fees.
  • Contact Both Funeral Homes: Communicate with both the funeral home where you initially pre-planned and the funeral home you wish to transfer to. This will ensure a smooth and transparent transfer process.
  • Understand Potential Cost Differences: Remember that pricing for services and merchandise can vary between funeral homes. The funds transferred may not fully cover the cost of the same services at the new funeral home. Be prepared to discuss any potential price differences with the receiving funeral home.

we're here to help

We understand that pre-planning a funeral can be complex. If you have any questions about your pre-planned services, the transfer process, or any other aspect of funeral planning, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are committed to providing clear, compassionate guidance and helping you make informed decisions that best suit your needs and wishes.

By understanding your rights and options, you can ensure that your pre-planned funeral truly provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.



BENEFITS OF PREPLANNING

Planning Ahead Lets Your Wishes Be Known

The death of a loved one often brings about unwarranted stress and turmoil among families. One family member wants one thing, while another family member wants something different. By planning ahead, you help prevent those disagreements by letting your family know what your wishes are and how you want your funeral service to be carried out and your business handled.

Planning Ahead Offers Peace of Mind

Our staff guarantees we will carry out the arrangements you want, just as you directed. Once the plans have been arranged, you and your family can rest easy knowing at the time of death, those uncomfortable decisions have been made. In a time when a family should be able to easily grieve, preplanning allows for that to happen.

Planning Ahead Offers Flexible Funding Options

When you preplan your funeral arrangements, there are more options when it comes to funding the funeral. A preneed insurance policy, life insurance policy or other payment options can all be arranged before the time of death. At the time of death, services must be paid in full, so having options ahead of time can also reduce other stress related to losing someone.

Planning Ahead Relieves The Burden From Family

Following the death of a loved one, there are more than 150 decisions that have to be made within the first day or two following the death. Those stressful decisions on top of the stress of grieving a loss can be eliminated by arranging your final wishes ahead of time. If those decisions are made, your loved ones aren’t left wondering what you would have wanted and how they should proceed with funeral plans. With those decisions out of the way, your loved one can begin the healing process sooner.

Common Questions about Preplanning

  • What steps are involved in prearranging a funeral?

    The first step would be to write down your wishes. Indicate if you would prefer burial or cremation. Write down your ideas for the service you would like, cemetery choice, etc. If you've made those choices, or even if you're unsure, schedule a time to meet with one of our funeral directors who can explain the different service options, merchandise choices, as well as the different ways to pay for the funeral.

  • What information do I need to prearrange a funeral?

    You'll need basic information about yourself or the person you are planning for, such as date of birth, marital status, parent's full names, etc. Besides the biological information, you'll need to choose burial or cremation, what type of service you'd like, what cemetery to use, etc. Our caring staff will help you with this process.

  • Do I have to pay in advance?

    Preplanning is merely making your wishes known; however, most families who do this also choose to pre-fund their funeral. Doing so will relieve the financial burden on your family and offer peace of mind to you.

  • Can I transfer my plans to or from another funeral home?

    If you have plans at another funeral home and would like to move them here, we will help you do that. If you move from the area and would like to transfer your arrangements to another funeral home, we will assist you with that as well.