Pre-arrangement Frequently Asked Questions

What is Preplanning, or pre-arrangement?

When you plan in advance, you are making choices now based on your wishes as to how your final arrangements will be carried out. Thus, you can reduce family concerns at the time of your death.

What do I need to do to preplan?

At your convenience, you can meet with a member of our staff to discuss your options and your preferences. When you make arrangements in advance, you’ll want to consider the type of service that best suits you and your family's wishes. By making some or all of these decisions now, you give your family peace of mind, and also benefit financially.

What are the advantages of advanced planning?

There are many advantages when you take care of your final arrangements in advance. The most obvious benefit is financial, but there are a number of emotional benefits, too. When you make arrangements in advance you have a better opportunity to make informed choices. If you decide to prepay, you can take advantage of affordable payment plans. We can provide additional professional advice on preplanning and prepaying.

What is the difference between prepaying and preplanning?

When you preplan, you do not need to pay for everything in advance—your estate can pay for the services at the rates being charged when your funeral is held. When your plan is complete, the funeral director will keep it on file until it is needed. However, if you prepay at the time you make your pre-arrangements we offer several affordable payment options.  We’ll be happy to discuss these options with you and help you make a decision that best suits your needs.

Where does the money go that I prepay into a plan?

Currently all of the funds that we receive for prepayment are deposited into a trust account or in an insurance funded account.  All of these accounts are regulated by the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service

Types of Trusts

A Revocable Trust is a trust that any amount of money may be deposited into. At anytime, you may ask for this money and the interest it has made. At the end of the year you will receive a 1099 statement on which you must pay taxes on the interest as it is considered income.

An Irrevocable Trust is most commonly purchased by someone who eventually might need care in excess of his or her assets. Once purchased, it can be used for burial purposes only. This trust can be started for any amount. It may be added to at any time. You will receive a 1099 at the end of the year showing total interest earned.

What if the cost of the services/products I pre-pay has increased at the time of my death?

The funds you have set aside for the choices of services weill be applied to the total expenses at the time. It is possible that you may owe some small differences in the cost of services and/ or merchandise.  However, by haing set the majority of funds aside for these expenses already the difference that you may owe should be fairly small.

What if your funeral home is no longer in business at the time of my death?

Because your money is held in a certified Trust governed by state law, it will always be there for you, even if our business were to be purchased or go out of business.

What information will I need to provide on the Pre-plan/Pre-Arrangement online form?

This easy-to-use form should take only a few minutes to complete and will require contact information, and your site/property and memorialization preferences. You’ll have the option to select services, based on your preferences and the associated costs. View or complete the Preplan form now.