A: Basically, there are three pieces to the planning process.
1. Recording necessary information about the client(s), names of family members,
and the designated person to contact when our services are needed.
2. Make selections of the services and merchandise you wish, such as a casket,
cremation container and urn. These choices are noted in writing, each item
listed at the current fee or price. This is the Agreement, stating your wishes of
what the funeral home is to provide in the future.
3. Establish funding that becomes a part of the Agreement with the funeral home.
Funding your services will guarantee the price against future inflation and
provide a specific source for payment, leaving your remaining assets untouched
for survivors. It also relieves loved ones from dealing with financial matters at
the most difficult time.
Q: We are considering a move after retirement in six years. Should we
just wait and make these plans after we move?
A: Joseph Gawler’s Sons, Inc. is part of Dignity Memorial®, a network of 1800
funeral homes and 200 cemeteries across North America. We guarantee
transferability of your pre-arranged services to any Dignity Memorial® Provider.
This allows you to make decisions that protect your family now while providing
flexibility in the future.
Q: What exactly is pre-funding and is my money safe? What happens to
my money if your company goes out of business?
A: Joseph Gawler’s Sons uses specialized insurance products from American
Memorial Life Insurance Co., rated A = Excellent by AM Best. These insurance
and annuity products are very common, highly secure, and in use throughout our
profession today. Using an insurance product provides guaranteed future payment
for your services while keeping funds in your name, and in your control, until
needed. The policy is only paid out to the funeral home after documented proof of
the services provided. Any financial failing or bankruptcy of our company would
not affect your policy and YOU, as the owner, always have the right to choose
another funeral home, even one not connected with Dignity Memorial®.
Q: My husband and I travel all over the world now that we are retired. I
always worry about something happening to one of us in a foreign country,
especially one where English is not a common language. How could our
plans with you help if one, or both of us, should die while traveling?
A: We offer the Away From Home Protection Plan as part of our comprehensive
program. Away From Home Protection Plan provides help worldwide if death
occurs more than 75 miles from your primary residence, with the following:
* Locating a mortuary provider to recover the body.
* Arrangement and handling of required forms.
* Government and consulate arrangements, documents and fees.
* Translators to overcome language barriers
* Pays the cost of any necessary merchandise and mortuary services.
* Pays for the cost of transferring the body home or for cremation where the
death has occurred based on your pre-arranged agreement.
A one time cost of $425 is priceless protection and peace of mind for those who
travel.
INFORMATION
