Bauer Family Funeral Homes

Pre-Planned Funeral Services

Click above to view or print A Helpful Guide to Funeral Planning.

Funeral pre-planning is the advance planning of funeral or memorial service details in anticipation of need and is an essential component of comprehensive estate planning. Advance funeral planning allows you to make wise decisions at a time when you are emotionally better prepared to do so and provides peace of mind for everyone involved. The more details you pre-plan for this inevitable need, the greater the sense of peace that you and your family will experience. Planning your funeral in advance not only gives you control of how you're remembered, it also allows you to discuss your plans with your loved ones and to consider the feelings and expectations of your family.

What benefits does a pre-planned funeral offer?

The choice to decide exactly how you want your wishes carried out based on a detailed discussion of many different options available for a funeral or memorial service.
Unhurried access to select the funeral or memorial service accessories you desire from among the wide variety available to you at Bauer Family Funeral Homes.
Peace of mind in knowing that your loved ones will be spared making difficult decisions at a time of deep personal loss.
The reassurance of knowing that a permanent record of your wishes and biographical information has been accurately recorded.

What additional benefits does a pre-funded funeral offer?

Allows you to pay for funeral services at current prices thereby protecting you and your family from the negative effects of inflation.
Reduces emotional stress and eliminates the financial burden that a funeral might place on your surviving family members at your time of death.
Provides the means to protect your assets from government intervention should you ever need to apply for SSI or Medicaid if nursing home care is needed.
Allows the availability of flexible payment options.
Gives you and your family peace of mind in knowing that you have received the best value, protected your investment against inflation and assured that your invested funds are secure.
Provides transferability to another funeral home if you relocate.

Why plan ahead?

Planning a funeral service or memorial within hours of the loss of a loved one can be an extremely difficult experience. There are many details to attend to and critical decisions must be made at a time when your family may be unprepared to make them. Advance planning a funeral or memorial service relieves much of that burden.

Planning a funeral or memorial service in advance provides you with a unique opportunity to involve other family members in the planning process. It also allows you and your family the time to arrange for special personalized and distinctive ways to acknowledge your life, or the life of another family member. Once the plans are made, this information can be put on permanent file at Bauer Family Funeral Homes where it will remain secure until it is needed. Additionally, should circumstances change, you may alter or update your personal wishes to reflect current situations.

What is involved in pre-planning my funeral?

A funeral director will meet with you to accurately record certain vital information, explain options and guide you through the process. He or she will discuss your personal funeral or memorial preferences, determine specific details you may wish to include and permanently record your expressed wishes for future reference.

What does a funeral cost?

Cost is a matter of choice. All funeral homes are required to provide you with itemized costs in the form of a printed general price list that you may review and take with you.

Bauer Family Funeral Homes also feature an extensive merchandise selection area in our Display and Tribute Center to provide visual assistance in choosing the right accessories to personalize the service you select. A photo selection book is also available if you are unable to come to the funeral home.

How is pre-funding done? Explain the benefits.

There are several options available to pre-fund your funeral plans at today's prices. A variety of investment products are available to accomplish this objective.

Life Insurance Policy - A Life Insurance Policy created specifically to pre-fund one's funeral can be purchased through the funeral home.
A Trust - The funeral home invests your pre-funded funeral assets with a bank acting as trustee on your behalf.
Assignment of an Insurance Policy - You may assign the proceeds of an existing insurance policy to finance your funeral expenses.

When you choose to pre-fund funeral expenses through a life insurance policy, the increase of the insurance policy's death benefit may protect against the impact of inflation. Growth on the face amount of the insurance policy may also be exempt from federal income tax and could minimize tax liability for the individual doing the pre-funding. Flexible payment options may be available to make insurance pre-funding a particularly affordable option and the policy is transferable should you relocate. Additionally, pre-funded insurance offers the means to protect your assets should your personal funds be depleted due to Medicaid regulations that establish stringent income and asset limitations for eligibility.

Who qualifies?

Individuals between the ages of 0 and 99 may apply. There are no age or health restrictions for individuals whose funds are invested in a trust or who assign the proceeds of an existing insurance policy. No medical examination is required for life insurance purchased from the Bauer Funeral Home for pre-funded funeral services.

Can I pre-plan without pre-funding?

Pre-funding is a choice most people make to spare their family any financial pressures and to avoid the rising costs of funerals. However, if pre-funding is not chosen, a record of your vital information and the itemization of your personal instructions and preferences will remain on file at the funeral home to act as a helpful guideline for your family while allowing the cost to be paid at the time of need.

If you have any questions, would like more information or would like to make an appointment to discuss advance planning of your funeral, please contact the Bauer Family Funeral Homes at 1-888-545-9595

At Bauer Family Funeral Homes, we encourage you to investigate the options associated with advance planning of your funeral, with absolutely no cost or obligation. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions, review all details and to be specific on total funeral related costs. We take the time to carefully explain your alternatives and provide complete information that will allow you to make an intelligent, informed decision.

A personal meeting is recommended and can be held in one of our Funeral Home locations or in the privacy of your home. An appointment can be set up simply by calling
1-888-545-9595 or by contacting us.

We invite you to experience for yourself the Bauer Family Funeral Homes' difference in personal attention and sensitivity - always without pressure or obligation.