What Do You Need to Know If You are Your Parent's Funeral Plan?

Three Things You Need To Know
If You Are Your Parent's Funeral Plan

Death and dying is a difficult conversation.

Funeral arranging is a difficult conversation.

But do you know what needs to be done when there is death?

If your parents have taken care of their funeral arrangements,  good for you.

If they haven’t, you've got to get yourself and your wallet ready.  Some parents have many loving reasons for pre-arranging their own funeral but, some parents have many reasons for not arranging their own funeral as well.  That I will cover separately.

1. Know your parent's preference.  This is crucial specially if there are more than one decision makers in the family. For some families, this issue becomes a legal battle.

Do they want cremation or a traditional burial? Eldest brother wants dad cremated, but other siblings want him buried.  Is it open casket or closed casket? My mom declared that if she doesn’t look good at all, or if she will lose so much weight before passing, it has to be made  a closed casket.  Is it going to be a private viewing or there's a public viewing.

Sadly, sometimes members of the family are not in one accord on these decisions and regrettably  ends up bitter with each other  during or after a funeral.  Shouldn’t a passing of a parent  strengthen the bond of siblings,  but a disagreement  may  tore them apart.

2. Know the cost

While cremation is a family tradition with some families, it is not an option for some at all.   But  how many times have you heard that some families painfully resorted to cremation although they want their loved ones to be traditionally buried? How painful it is to choose something you don’t want but  because cremation fit their budget at that time. It is heart breaking. Unfortunately for some families, their kids, or their only kid is not capable financially.  And it results to overwhelming emotional stress. 

Imagine your hands being tied on what you wish you could do for your parents but you are not able to; or imagine spending the money you don’t have.

3. Who will arrange it and who is going to pay for it?

If you're the only kid, and you are your parents’ funeral plan, you’ll arrange it and pay for it. No doubt. What about if you have siblings?  Assuming that a traditional burial will cost $30,000.00 how are you going to pay for the cost?  Understanding the high cost of a traditional burial and knowing that it’s the only choice for my parents, I asked my siblings, "If any one of mom and dad dies, whose pocket are we going to pull the $30k?"  It’s a harsh  question, but I got  my siblings to get together, talked  it out and we did pre-planning for my parents immediately. 

When the pre-arrangements were planned, the taxes and third-party items were calculated, and funded so that in the future,  whoever sits and finalize the arrangement  would not have to fork these out of his pocket. Everyone is happy with their share.

©Copyright 2022 Edna Navarro.  All Rights Reserved.

Edna Navarro is a Community Service Counselor at Oak Hill Memorial Park. 

Call or Text @ (408) 794 9336 and email:  edna.navarro@dignitymemorial.com

FAQ: What is the Difference of a Burial Insurance VS. Pre-Planning with the Cemetery or Funeral Home?

Why Pre-Planning with the Funeral Home  or with the Cemetery is Cheaper than Buying a Burial Insurance 
Edna Navarro


Yes, you read it right...Burial insurance is one of the costliest insurance there is.
Here's why:

1  If you buy at the funeral home, you lock the price at today’s cost.  Take for example Mrs.  R.  She was a  young mom at 39 when she planned and  purchased her funeral arrangement at Oak Hill Memorial Park.  In 1978, she paid about $1600. Her family could have paid $7,500.00 to get the same arrangement she picked when she passed away in 2013.

2 If you buy at the funeral home, you don’t pay whole of your life.  Burial insurance are typically whole life insurance- meaning you pay until you die or until its maturity date at your 100^th plus years! See my own scenario.  I planned and purchased my funeral arrangement on a  five-year payment plan.  That’s it.   I will pay Five years, I am done .  There’s an option of paying it off as a single payment, a three-year  payment, or  a five-year payment.  

   If you buy at the funeral home, you are protected from inflation.  Again, you lock the price at today’s cost.  Take Girlie C, for example.  Ten years earlier, she purchased a $10K burial expense for her mom. But at  the time of her mom’s passing, she was short  $10K.  As the years went by, due to inflation the $10K coverage she got was really really short. Again, if she went directly to the funeral home, this could not have happened.

4  Burial Insurance other than those purchased at a funeral may be  more expensive.  Do the  math. If you are 50 years old  and  have the average life span of 80,  and if a  burial arrangement is purchased other the   funeral home, you may be paying upto 30 years. But that is not the case if you purchase it directly from the funeral home.  Burial insurance could be very very expensive if not done correctly.

Edna Navarro

© Copyright 2014 Edna Navarro.All Rights Reserved

History Lives at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, CA

Union Veterans of the Civil War-1861-1865 at Oak Hill Memorial Park

Aerial View of the 911 Memorial at Oak Hill Memorial Park

FAQ: Do I need to pre-plan a funeral arrangement if I have a million dollar life insurance?

Well, let me ask you a question. If you are throwing a  birthday bash tomorrow, are you going to plan the details like the food, the cake, venue, decor, who to invite and what not on the same day?

How would that be?

The good thing about birthday is, you know the exact date of a birthday.

BUT.... Do you know when is your funeral?

Just like a birthday party,  a celebration of life (as in Funeral) needs some details to make it meaningful and to bring comfort to loved ones left behind.  Do you prefer a cremation or a traditional burial?  Do your loved ones know what you want?  or is she or he capable of doing the arrangement?  Where?  Closed casket?  Ash scattering?  The final outfit? Flowers? Who would you like to  be notified? and a hundred more decisions to make...

Imagine your loved ones taking care of these details while he or she is grieving.

Wouldn't it be more comforting for a spouse left behind if the these final arrangement are taken care of  and not start from scratch. Sure you have the money, but would the money buy them peace of mind at this difficult time?


Having the money is a great thing, but arranging funeral is another thing.

Edna Navarro

© Copyright 2014 Edna Navarro.All Rights Reserved

Welcome

Hello,
My name is Edna Navarro. I am a community service counselor at Oak Hill Memorial Park on Monterey and Curtner Road. You know how often you hear  that  families lose a loved one, but they do not have any funeral or cemetery prearrangements?  The problem with that is, having no prearrangements cause overwhelming stress. Can you imagine one grieving, but he must make decisions on a short period of time.

As a community service counselor, I reach out and teach families in the community so that they are not unprepared and not uninformed when notified that a loved one passed away. Being prepared and informed ease stress and allow families grieve peacefully.



Edna Navarro
Community Service Counselor
Oak Hill Memorial Park (FD991)
300 Curtner Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
CEM License#CES42835
CA Insurance  License#OD63314
Direct Line (408) 794-9336

Top 2 Reasons Why Life Insurance Must Be Coupled with Funeral Pre-arrangement

Why Having an Insurance is Not Enough When There is Death
Edna Navarro

Don’t get me wrong.  I am not against life insurance.  I am a proponent of having life  insurance to protect loved ones left behind   However,  there is another consideration to give families a true peace of mind and that is pre-planning for funeral and cemetery. 

 Insurance policies may  not be  protected against inflation.  Prices of funeral and cremation and cemetery products and services continue to rise while the coverage may remain the same.  There may not be enough left to survivors from insurance proceeds after covering a funeral expenses.    Since funeral and cremation costs are subject to inflation, pre-arrangement allows one to lock the price at today's cost. Consider Martha (not her real name) who is from Texas, but now living in the  Bay area. She was 30’s and had her third child when she bought a burial insurance for $2,500.  Today, Martha at 84 is healthy for her age, although frail, can cook and take the bus for her medical appointments.  Compare above scenario with Janice (not her real name) who is now 77.  She was 39 in 1974 when she decided to  purchase her plot for about $500, and her funeral service for about $1,400. “Do you know,” I asked her, “ how much it would cost you if you purchase these services today?”  And, “What made you buy?” I asked again.  “ I just thought that was the right thing to  do for my two kids.”  Gleaming with pride and  delight, she added,” I am so glad I did”.

Insurance cannot make the many decisions that are required at the time of need (meaning when there is death).  Even with insurance in place, the actual funeral or cremation service still needs to be arranged. To finalize a service, there are countless questions that need to be answered.  These questions may be related to information about the decedent, the choice of moralization, funeral options- flowers,   visitation,   information needed for a death certificate, and many more information that could be daunting in time of grief.  Coupling insurance with a funeral arrangement relieves the family of attending to the details while grieving and least prepared.

Top Three Considerations When Purchasing a Plot from a Private Party

Not too long ago, Betty (not her real name) came to me to plan  a funeral service for her  husband who was a  ill critically.  My heart deeply  grieved, both for her  loss and the  blow of  a financial responsibility upon knowing that she doesn’t anything in place.  I found  most disheartening was her uneducated  purchase of a cemetery plot from a private party   that I thought I should share to everyone immediately.  Don’t’ get me wrong; I am not against purchasing from a private property.  But  what are the  considerations on   buying   a  plot from a private party?

#1 Know the current prices

Poor  Betty thought she made a deal, but it was the seller who made the deal.  She was told the plot was purchased for $5k, some five years ago.   Betty purchased the  plot for four thousand dollars  cash  and  paid fully!   If Betty did her due diligence, she could have saved her  substantially   considering that she  was paying  cash in full amount. The hefty interest rate the seller paid was passed on to Betty.

#2 Know what you are buying
Of course, you have too, but a plot needs a marker, a marker installation , an opening and closing,or maybe a vault.  These  must be reviewed carefully.  Betty needs additional four thousand dollars to make the plot useable.

#3 Know what you  really want

 Why?  Because you may not need a plot!  Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the details before the need.   An elaborate service will definitely be more pricey.   Betty was uninformed and unprepared that  in the end,  because of overwhelming decisions to make decided to pursue with  cremation leaving her purchase of the plot unnecessary.    That was disheartening.

Edna Navarro

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Planning a Funeral or Cremation Service

(Published by Dignity Memorial®)

A Wise Decision That Shows You Care

No one wants to talk about death or dying. Nor do they want to think about planning for their own funeral.

That’s why we prepared this article. It answers some of the more common – and more difficult –questions that people have about funerals and the options available. It also tells you why many people find prearranging their funeral or cremation service is the best decision they can make for themselves and their family.

A Sensible Way to Make Informed Decisions Before Your Time of Need

The death of someone you care for, together with wanting to make the right decision – especially when you have a limited amount of time to attend to all the details – leaves many families feeling overwhelmed. Often these decisions must be made when a family is grieving and is the least prepared.

Many people have done everything they can to protect their family’s future: invested wisely, opened savings accounts and acquired insurance on their life and home, but they haven’t taken care of their own funeral arrangements – leaving one of the most difficult tasks to their loved ones to figure out at a time of sadness and loss. That’s why it’s so important to give serious thought to your personal wishes and to prearrange your services in advance.

1. Be Informed About the Choices Available

How would you like to be remembered? Your funeral or cremation service should be personalized to reflect your wishes and should bring comfort to your family and friends. Today no two services are alike. Videos, photographs, music, special readings and the involvement of family and friends are all appropriate and encouraged.

Prearranging gives you the opportunity to become informed about your options in an unpressured environment, when you have the time to think things through. You’re in full control and you can select and specify the services that truly have meaning to you and your family.

Your local Dignity Memorial® provider can explain all of the options available to you – and can accommodate your wishes to make your celebration a truly unique and personal experience.

2. Your Wishes Need to be Documented

Many people think they have taken care of everything by writing a will, establishing a living will or even purchasing their cemetery plot. But that’s not all.

A will simply leaves instructions for the handling of an individual’s financial affairs, while a living will usually clarifies certain general wishes regarding medical treatment. The funeral or cremation service still remains to be planned and paid for.

Your survivors benefit the most when you prearrange. When a funeral or cremation service is not prearranged, someone who may not be aware of your wishes may have to make all of the decisions. Prearranging ensures that your wishes are made known.

You should make sure that your wishes are recorded in writing and shared with family members and your attorney. You should also keep a copy with your important papers in a place that is easily accessible to your family members.

Your local Dignity Memorial provider offers a valuable Personal Planning Guide that can help you record your wishes.

3. Talk About it with Your Family and Incorporate Their Wishes

A funeral or memorial service is an important part of the grieving process. For family members and loved ones alike, the service provides an opportunity to express their grief, to share memories and to celebrate a life lived.

When planning your funeral or memorial service, the opinions and wishes or your family should be considered. Prearranging is an excellent time for families to discuss and make objective decisions calmly and rationally together, away from the pressures and stress that often occur at a time of sadness and loss.

Involving those most affected by your death can bring peace of mind and relief to those who will have to carry out your wishes. More importantly, knowing your wishes and carrying them out can bring great comfort to surviving family members and friends.

4. Decide the Final Disposition

Whether you choose traditional burial, mausoleum entombment or inurnment in a cremation garden, determining your final disposition is a very personal decision, influenced by your faith and beliefs.

Your wishes should be specified in your prearrangement document as well as clearly discussed with family members and loved ones ahead of time.

The Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers offers a wide range of services and options to help you commemorate a life.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask About Prices

The cost to arrange a funeral or cremation service can vary considerably from place to place. Be careful to choose a funeral home that presents its prices clearly and simply.

Unfortunately, funeral and cremation costs are subject to inflation. When you prearrange, you benefit from selecting at today’s prices, free from future inflationary pressures.

Prearranging also gives you the opportunity to become informed about your options and their various costs in an unpressured environment. You’re in full control and you can make objective decisions regarding affordability. You may decide to spend less or more, but the decision remains yours.

Prearranging enables you to keep your financial commitment to a comfortable level while eliminating the future financial burden placed on your surviving family members.

6. Consider Planning and Prepaying for Your Arrangements

Planning your funeral or cremation service in advance can take care of the details. But only prearranging (prepaying for your services) can take care of the actual expense of the funeral or cremation service ahead of time, easing the future financial burden on your surviving loved ones.

Prepaying for your funeral or cremation services makes good financial sense. When you prearrange, you benefit from purchasing at today’s prices for an event that may not happen for many years. The cost of the products and services you select may never be lower.

Your local Dignity Memorial provider offers affordable prearrangement options with low monthly payments.

7. Why Insurance May Not Be Enough

Usually, life insurance, as well as final expense insurance, provides a one-time lump sum benefit after a death has occurred. However, there is no guarantee that the funds will not be consumed by a long illness or serious accident.

Insurance cannot make the many decisions that are required at the time of need. Even with insurance in place, the actual funeral or cremation service still needs to be planned and paid for, and this can be complicated task at a time of grief and loss.

In addition, insurance policies are not protected against inflation. Prices of products and services will continue to rise while the amount of your policy coverage remains the same. Your survivors may not have enough left from the insurance proceeds to cover the higher cost of your funeral expenses.

Prearrangements purchased through your local Dignity Memorial provider combine the benefits of insurance with a guaranteed funeral or cremation service and price – leaving the life insurance untouched for the living.

8. A Prearranged Funeral or Cremation Service and Medicaid Assistance

If you plan to apply for Medicaid assistance for yourself or a loved one, a prearranged funeral agreement can be extremely beneficial in meeting your needs.

In many states, a prearranged funeral or cremation service funded by life insurance may be treated as an exempt asset for Medicaid qualification purposes. This allows you to prearrange the service you desire while maintaining your assistance eligibility.

Many states have no maximum limit for the amount of a prearranged funeral or cremation service. Please consult with your attorney before applying for Medicaid assistance to learn more about your state’s requirements.

9. Find Out Ahead of Time What Government Benefits You Are Eligible to Receive

Unfortunately, most funeral and burial benefits provided by the Social Security Administration as well as the Veterans Administration (VA) are limited. Most families find that additional funding is necessary in order to provide the type of funeral or cremation service they find appropriate for their loved one.

Under certain conditions, Social Security provides a one-time death benefit to the spouse of an eligible recipient. And, for non-service related deaths, the VA will pay up to $300 for burial and funeral expenss and a plot interment allowance up to $300, in lieu of burial in a National Cemetery.

To find out exactly what benefits you are eligible to receive, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-722-1213 or visit their website at www.ssa.gov.

For veteran’s assistance, contact the Veterans Administration office at 1-800-827-1000 or go to www.cem.va.gov.

Your local Dignity Memorial provider can also assist you in applying for your government benefits.

10. Speak with Your Local Dignity Memorial Provider

Arranging a funeral or cremation service can seem overwhelming and complicated, but there’s always a Dignity Memorial provider close by who can help you.

Dignity Memorial funeral counselors are trained professionals who can be a vital and supportive resource for you and your family. With years of experience, they can explain all the options available and help you make informed decisions. They can also guide you step-by-step through the process of prearranging your funeral or cremation service.