Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best

Nobody wants to think about the day they leave this life. There’s too much left to enjoy, too many people to share feelings with, and to laugh with. Still, we all have to leave sometime. And the best gift you can give the people you love are the good memories of you; not the stress of making funeral arrangements, and having to find a way to pay for them.  In just one afternoon you could have the peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of - each detail exactly the way you want it, so your funeral will be a tribute to the people you love as well as to the life you lived.

It’s simple, and begins with our Personal Wishes Organizer. We understand it can be difficult to get started. So we’ve made it easy with this step-by-step guide that helps you through the process.

Besides relieving stress, anxiety, and confusion, planning ahead lets you create the perfect memorial for your family.

For your complimentary Personal Wishes Organizer, please contact me for a private, no obligation consultation.

-Mark Heiner

Pre-Planning Consultant

Heideman Hughes Mortuary

435-674-5000

What would you do if your spouse charged $7,755.00 on your credit card?

What would you do if your spouse charged $7,755.00 on your credit card?

Anything? Nothing?

Unfortunately, many of us will be the ones responsible for the charges, posthumously.

$7,755.00 was the average cost of a traditional funeral in 2011 according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

Many of you know my passion for advanced funeral planning because I see too many families bury their loved one via Visa, MasterCard or American Express, further complicating and adding financial stress to the existing emotional stress and grief accompanying the loss of a family member.

Advanced funeral planning isn't a topic many of us want to think about, however most people can agree that planning for what happens after your death will reduce the stress of grieving loved ones. It’s easy to understand how making decisions now about your funeral arrangements can help assure those left behind that your wishes are being honored.

You may not realize, though, that preplanning your final arrangements also makes good financial sense. There a few key ways in which funeral preplanning can impact your financial bottom line.

Avoid Grief Overspending

Planning your final arrangements in advance ensures your funeral will be conducted according to your wishes, which will ease the burden on your loved ones to make choices they think you’d want. But advance planning also helps your loved ones avoid spending on things not important to you by communicating exactly which merchandise and services you want for your funeral.

Find the Quality and Value You Want

If you're like me, you probably shop around to find the car, new electronic gadget or vacation that delivers the quality and features that are right for you, so why don’t more people do the same when it comes to funeral providers?

Contacting different funeral homes is an important part of planning a funeral. Compare options and services to find the right fit for your final wishes. Our community, St. George, Utah, is home to the following funeral providers:

Heideman Hughes Mortuary - 435-674-5000

Metcalf Mortuary - 435-673-4221

Spilsbury Mortuary - 435-673-2454

McMillan Mortuary - 435-688-8880

Pine View Mortuary (Metcalf) - 435-986-4222

SereniCare Funeral Home - 435-986-2085

Comparison shopping now allows you to feel secure you’re receiving the quality and value you deserve.

Lock in Today’s Prices

If you choose to fund your advanced funeral plan, you can lock in today’s prices for products and services that will be more expensive in the future. It is important to work with a funeral professional to understand the laws that regulate and protect advanced funeral funds. You need to feel comfortable that your funds are secure in an insurance policy or in trust with a reliable provider.

Take Advantage of Additional Benefits

You may be eligible for additional funeral benefits if you are a military veteran or civil servant. By planning your funeral, you can learn about these benefits in advance of your death so your loved ones will have all the information they need at the time of your passing. Our entire staff can provide information regarding additional benefits for which you may be eligible.

The reasons to make your final arrangements in advance are valid for everyone, no matter your age or financial status. While saving your loved ones from difficult decisions at an already difficult time, advance funeral planning also makes good financial sense. In today’s economic climate, it’s good to know that your final expense is one you can control.

If you would like to lean more about advanced funeral planning please contact me at 435-674-5000 for a no cost/obligation consultation at your home or my office.

-Mark Heiner

Heideman Hughes Mortuary

St. George, Utah

(information found via the library of dignitymemorial.com)

Funeral Prearrangement - A Priceless Gift

Families who have had a loved one prearrange don't really tend to say, "I wish Mom hadn't done this."  Instead, they are grateful for the care and concern a parent or spouse showed.  They are thankful that they didn't have to make those difficult decisions alone.  They are comforted in knowing that they are following the wishes of their loved one.

Prearrangement is a gift only you can give...a final act of love for those you care about the most.  There are many reasons why funeral prearrangement is a wise decision, both emotionally and financially, but perhaps the most important of all, prearrangement gives you and your loved ones peace of mind knowing everything will be taken care of...and that is a priceless gift.

-Mark
mark@serenicare.com

How Much Do Funerals Cost?

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) states that the average funeral costs roughly $7,000, however cash items that aren't usually purchased through the funeral home such as grave opening and closing, vault and cemetery property, flowers, clergy honorariums, obituaries and death certificates can add hundreds or thousands to the price depending on the choices the family makes. Funeral costs also vary greatly depending on what type of arrangements you choose (traditional or cremation), what type of casket you choose, and other products and services you may want. They can also vary depending on the area where you live.

However, by prearranging you can alleviate the final cost of funeral services for your family, protecting them from overspending during a difficult emotional time. It will also allow you to pay for your arrangements in small monthly installments, and may also provide the added protection of life insurance in the case of a premature death.

If you would like to discuss options regarding prearrangement, give me a call at 801-255-2801

-Mark