1. Wishes on paper
Free. Write down the service, the music, the readings, and who should be told, then give a copy to your family. The wishes planner does this in about 15 minutes.
Should I prepay?
Writing it down is free. Paying ahead is your choice.
Here is a plain answer to the question most families ask, and how to decide at your own pace.
Three levels of planning
2. A plan on file
Your wishes are documented with the funeral home you choose, and you can update them as life changes.
3. A prepaid plan
Your plan is paid for ahead of time, through a trust account or a prearrangement insurance policy, under a written contract on forms prescribed by the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service.
You can stop at any level. You do not have to prepay to plan.
Why some families choose to prepay
- Your family is spared the decisions, and for the items your plan covers, the bill. Without a plan, a family makes dozens of decisions in a few days, under grief and time pressure.
- You can protect against future price increases. It depends on the contract. A standard contract applies the money to prices at the time of death, with no protection against increases. A contract with the Inflation Proof Guarantee provides the selected goods and services without regard to future price increases. Some third-party costs, such as cemetery charges or death certificates, may not be included.
- You can usually pay over time. Plans can usually be paid in one payment or spread over a period of years. Duane shows you the full total and the options before you decide anything.
- It can matter for Medicaid planning. Under North Carolina’s Medicaid rules, money in an irrevocable preneed contract is generally not counted as a resource when eligibility is decided, and many families use one as part of a “spend-down.” Planning earlier, while you have the means, usually leaves more choices. Every situation is different, so confirm the details with your county Department of Social Services.
- Your plan can move with you. An irrevocable preneed contract can be transferred to another licensed preneed funeral establishment on written notice. Ask how transfers work, and whether any retained amount is credited, before you sign. Your service wishes can be updated as life changes.
It is fine to wait on this part
Paying ahead is a separate choice, and nobody should feel pressured. You can write down your wishes now and decide about paying later. That alone gives your family a great deal.
Questions to ask before you sign anything
- Is this a standard contract, or one with the Inflation Proof Guarantee?
- Is it revocable or irrevocable?
- Is it funded by a trust or an insurance policy, and with which institution or insurer?
- Which items are not covered (cemetery charges, death certificates, other cash advance items)?
- How do transfers work if I move?
What happens next
The next step is a conversation. Duane will show you the full total, what is and is not covered, and your options, before you decide anything. There is nothing to sign on the first call, and no pressure at any step.
General education, not legal advice. The statutes behind this page are summarized in NC preneed contracts, explained.
Ready to talk it through?
Most first calls take about 15 minutes. No pressure, nothing to sign.