The loss of a loved one can be a stressful time. Fortunately, there is something you can do to minimize the burden on your grieving loved ones.
While planning your funeral probably isn’t high on the list of things you wanted to read about today, it is something your loved ones will be extremely grateful for in your passing.
Documenting your final wishes will save your loved ones from having to make tough decisions regarding your funeral proceedings. Planning in advance will also allow you the opportunity to provide your family with assistance in paying for funeral costs.
Using a funeral trust is one way you can address both of these concerns. When considering using a funeral trust you will need to choose between a revocable and irrevocable funeral trust. Both have unique pros and cons (see using an IFT for Medicaid eligibility), but their end goal is the same: allowing you to make end-of-life decisions for yourself.
A funeral trust also allows you to provide the funds to pay for these services. Differing from a pre-need contract with a funeral home, the funds in this type of trust can be used for any funeral expenses. Fore-going a pre-need contract with a funeral home allows flexibility and liquidity of the assets. It also protects your investment in the event that the funeral home were to go out of business or change ownership, in which case the contract generally isn’t honored and the family would lose the funds entirely.
In a time of monumental grief, your family will take comfort in knowing that your end-of-life celebrations were carried out exactly as you had wished. They will appreciate the foresight you had to minimize the burden on them during such a difficult time.
Disclaimer: This blog post is made available for educational purposes only. It should not be relied upon for legal or tax advice and is not a substitute for legal research or a consultation with a qualified attorney.
