Pre-Need Arrangements
Pre need arrangement conference
May We Take Just A Moment?
The planning concept has been a part of our daily make-up from the beginning of time. To plan for any endeavor, occasion or event simply insures that it is more likely to take the form you intended. Pre-arranging for funeral services is no different. It affords you the opportunity of making decisions at a less stressful time.
We endorse the concept of pre-arranging. It is smart, makes good common sense and economically it is an intelligent business decision.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have concerning any aspects of arranging a funeral, whether it be pre-need or at need.
We stand ready to assist you and your family at all times.
James A. Gustafson
President/Manager
Richard W. McCriskin, II
Vice President/Director
Why do people pre-arrange funerals?
People do pre-arrangements for numerous reasons, the main reason being, to alleviate family burden. Other reasons may be, health issues, personal knowledge, medicaid requirements and that it just makes smart business sense.
People who choose and plan their own funeral may take their time planning a funeral, starting it one day and finishing at a later time.
The Information is discussed and obtained by those people making the pre-arrangements, assuring positive decisions.
Information that may or may not be discussed:
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Funeral Related:
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Services, church affiliations, clergy
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Cemetery, cremation, burial
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Viewing of the body: public &/or private
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Type of service: traditional or family specific
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Professional care of the deceased
Service Related:
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Discussion of financial options
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Vital statistical biographical information
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Preparation & filing of paper, permits & authorizations
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Preparation & placement of newspaper notices (obituaries & death notice)
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Cemetery/Crematory arrangements
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Clergy/Church arrangement
Information that may be Needed:
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Social security number
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Parents names
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Legal name / maiden names / AKA’s
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Veterans papers
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Date of birth / place of birth
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Insurance / pension information
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Employment information
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Biographical information
A second major consideration of the pre-arrangement conference is prepayment of the funeral costs.
This is the way in which monies may be deposited into a specific account for future growth to cover cost of living increased and inflation. This account may also be medicaid protected.
We utilize one highly successful, yet simple vehicle for prepayment monies. (NJ Law prohibits funeral homes from taking monies into their general accounts. Monies must be placed in law specific accounts.) Further information can and will be provided.
The New Jersey Prepaid Funeral Trust Fund
What Is It?
When families advance monies to a funeral director as a prepayment, New Jersey law requires the funeral director to place 100% of the funds in a special trust fund. It is for this purpose that in 1981 the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association established the New Jersey Prepaid Funeral Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is managed in cooperation with one of New Jersey's largest banking institutions, Commerce Bank, the current trust depository. The funds are fully insured to the extent permitted by law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The funds are, at all times, totally refundable to the purchaser, with interest and without penalty. (Your funeral director will discuss the way in which these basic terms and conditions may be affected and modified by a prepaid arrangement intended to qualify for SSI/Medicaid exclusion.)
The greatest advantage of the New Jersey Prepaid Funeral Trust Fund is that upon the death of the intended funeral recipient the funeral payment is promptly made to the funeral director. Unlike traditional savings vehicles which may close or become inaccessible at the time of death, this account becomes payable.
