What Is Preplanning?
Preplanning is the process of defining your funeral arrangements ahead of time. There are three major advantages to planning your arrangements in advance.

Preplanning allows you to consider and define your final wishes, so your loved ones and your funeral home will be able to fulfill them. Because death is a difficult subject to discuss, your family may not know or understand your wishes in this matter. If you decide to prepay, preplanning can also minimize the financial burden that a funeral might represent to your survivors. Finally preplanning provides you and your family with peace-of-mind. You know that everything has been taken care of according to your wishes.
"It's the best gift you can leave your loved ones."

Do I Have To Prepay For My Funeral Now?
No. Many people just want to have their final arrangements known in advance. Preplanning enables you to decide upon the type of ceremony you want, to select a casket, and so on without actually having to pay. Knowing your wishes is the most important thing. Then there is no confusion about your intentions at the time of your death.

Are Payment Options Available?
Many people pay for a funeral in one lump sum, while others prefer to arrange a payment plan. As well, you can use the present value of your existing life insurance to pay for your funeral without being required to cash in the policy.

Do Funeral Prices Increase?
Like everything, prices are determined by the economy, and by costs of merchandise. The Funeral Home are also unable to control the cost of cash advance items such as, Cemetary, Crematories, Newspaper Obituaries, Clergy fees, Soloist, etc... In NYS, the consumer can be assured that if any monies are placed in the trust of the Funeral Home, those funds are put in an Interest Earned Account, and the interest will be applied to offset any unforeseen increases in expenses at the time of death.

Is My Funeral Prepayment Secure?
Any funds we receive towards a prepaid funeral are placed into an Irrevocable Mortuary Trust account, in accordance with NYS state law. The account is insured and the funds gain interest which we maintain in the account to offset any future price increases.

Two Types of Pre-need Trust Accounts:
Revocable: Revocable Trust Accounts allow this individual to cancel his/her own contract at anytime. The purchaser will receive the principal and any accured interest on the account.

Irrevocable: Only individuals that are applying for Medicaid or Supplemental Social Security Benefits have to establish an Irrevocable Trust Account. The monies that are put aside are to be only used towards the individual's funeral expenses. Any funds left over in this account have to be refunded to the county.

How Can I Begin The Pre-Planning Process?
Just call Phillips Memorial Home to set up an appointment. Meanwhile, you may visit our Online Preplanning Form to begin the process.