Advanced Planning
We understand that no one wants to arrange a funeral …unfortunately at some point you or someone you love may have to. Many people find that planning in advance eases some of the burden when a death occurs. Finding the information needed for legal documents and an obituary, making decisions about service arrangements, even selecting merchandise can be done with much less stress than when one is in the throes of grief.
Advanced planning can be as simply as creating a record of necessary information that we can keep on file. Our one step online preplanning form was designed to allow you to begin the process of gathering information. It will guide you through some of the questions that we need answered and will help you start collecting your thoughts about the kind of service you may consider. You may chose to complete this form and email it to us or call so that we can go over the details together.
Many people chose to pre-pay their funeral costs. At Ackley & Ross Funeral Home we guarantee our charges not to increase once the funeral is fully funded. As a member of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, we at Ackley & Ross trust all pre-arrangement funds in PrePlan.
What is PrePlan™?
Pre Plan™ is a unique secured trust fund holding monies set aside for individuals’ burial expenses. This special co-mingled trust was established in 1988 by the New York State Funeral Directors Association in order to provide a completely safe and competitive vehicle for funeral directors to place their clients’ prefunded accounts.
How PrePlan™ Works?
* You meet with a funeral director who offers PrePlan™.
* You select desired merchandise and services.
* You will receive a fully itemized statement and contract.
* Your check is made payable to PrePlan™.
* The funeral director forwards the contract and check to the PrePlan™ offices for immediate deposit.
* Shortly after, you receive a deposit acknowledgment.
* At the completion of the funeral, payment is forwarded directly to the funeral director.
How is PrePlan™ Administered?
A PrePlan™ account is opened and your money is deposited on the exact day the PrePlan™ Trustees receive your contract, social security number certification, and payment. Your account begins earning the highest rate of interest in the PrePlan’s time deposit, pooled investment. Interest will vary with money market and CD rates. Funds are placed in FDIC insured bank deposit account(s), certificates of deposit in a bank within the State of New York, and other investments permitted by law.
What if you are applying for SSI/Medicaid Assistance?
If you or someone in your family will be applying for assistance under one of these programs, contact an Advance Planning Director at a Scott & Barbieri Family Funeral Home. Federal and State law provide that properly trusted assets intended for the payment of funeral expenses will not be considered as a resource when eligibility is determined. Setting aside monies for burial expenses is now extremely simplified. See our Advance Planning Director for further information.
NOTE: New York State law mandates that all contracts for prefunded funerals executed by applicants for, or recipients of, Medicaid be irrevocable.
More About PrePlan™?
Administered by the state trade association for funeral directors, PrePlan™ offers both revocable and irrevocable accounts. Each revocable account in the PrePlan™ is, at all times, totally refundable to the Purchaser with interest and without penalty. Irrevocable accounts are set up for applicants for, or recipients of, SSI/Medicaid and must be nonrefundable to comply with Chapter 660 of New York State Law.
Questions and Answers
Why should anyone pre-plan or pre-pay a funeral?
1. To beat inflation – A pre-arrangement offers cost protection, so that you may pay for future funeral services at today’s prices.
ADVANCE-PLANNING freezes the price of the funeral, so your pre-paid funeral fund and accumulated interest will pay for everything in accordance with your wishes.
2. To lessen the burden – Decisions on funeral arrangements and costs can be made today, so that family members will not have to deal with these difficult decisions immediately after the loss of a loved one.
We plan for so much in our lives, from college to retirement. ADVANCE-PLANNING is just as important.
What are the requirements?
ADVANCE-PLANNING is not insurance, so there is no age limit or medical exam.
Can ADVANCE-PLANNING be canceled?
Yes, you can cancel, without penalty, unless it is an irrevocable Medicaid Trust.
If I relocate, can I use pre arrangements to pay for a funeral somewhere else?
Yes, you may transfer your pre arrangement funds at any time. Or, if you choose a different funeral provider who may not be able to offer the exact same funeral with our guaranteed price, you may use the pre arrangement funds.
Do you allow time payments?
Yes, The total amount for the Pre-Funded funeral is stated in the agreement and you may pay in installments without finance charges.