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Why You Should
Consider Pre-Planning
The pre-arrangement or pre-planning of a person's funeral is
a service offered by The Dietrich Funeral Home to help provide our families
with information and options for their specific needs.
With over a century of experience, our staff is attentive to
all your needs and strive to understand your individual desires. The
pre-arrangement can be a brief conversation to record and create one's wishes
or a consultation to address all issues in a detailed manner.
Click the Play button below to listen to
"When Everything Changes"
In either case, you will be speaking with a Licensed Funeral
Director who is well versed in all areas of pre-planning. Our Funeral Directors
receive continual training and education on Federal and New York State laws and
regulations.
This level of expertise will assist your family on topics
such as: Veterans Services, Social Services, Federally
Insured Trust Accounts, Financial Advice, and issues when a death occurs out of
town.
Pre-arrangements can be made in person by calling us at
1(716) 839-2818
(toll free: 1 (800) 741-1621) or visiting us at our 2480 Kensington Avenue location to make
arrangements in person with one of our caring, professional Funeral Directors.
A Million Questions. One Answer.
The Dietrich Funeral Home offers a free consultation
on ALL services, whether traditional or cremation.
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The benefits of pre-planning varies with each family. Some may include:
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Peace of mind knowing your wishes can be accurately recorded.
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The opportunity to explain all funeral costs and the ability to make changes that can help meet your financial needs.
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The pre-funding of a funeral is a benefit for many famillies; all monies are deposited into a Federally Insured Trust account and a statement of accounting is provided to each family.
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We have the ability to pre-arrange your needs whether you are local or out of the area.
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Our family is committed to helping you in the Medicaid Application Process. We provide all funeral forms that are accepted when applying.
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Reduces emotional and financial difficulties at a time of need and allows families time to discuss these important matters “together.”
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Leaves loved ones with guidance and answers, not questions.
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Is no less important than any other kind of planning that we do.
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Can guarantee funeral home costs against inflation... forever.
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Transferable, should you permanently relocate.
With years of knowledge and experience, we help families of all Faiths, customs, and beliefs through a difficult time. The Dietrich Funeral Home takes pride in knowing we listen and honor your families wishes.
Complete personalized assistance is given to each family during the consultation - examples may include:
Veterans Benefits,
Social Security Benefits,
Cemetary Planning,
Memorial DVD Picture Tributes,
Floral Design, and
Working Compassionately with Hospice and UNYTS.
The Dietrich Funeral Home is centrally located to area Airports, Hotels, Churches, Cemeteries, and the NYS Thruway. For an Informational Pamphlet or for more information, please call us at 1 (716) 839-2818
(toll free: 1 (800) 741-1621), or stop by and visit us at 2480 Kensington Avenue, Amherst - we would be honored to answer any of your questions.
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Consumers Check List for Pre-Funding A Funeral
(article as found in Transitions, by Bonnie Tippy)
The decision to preplan your funeral is a loving gesture for those you leave behind as it relieves them of decision-making at a stressful time. It is a simple procedure that doesn't take much time and allows you to make specific choices such as music, flowers, and type of service for your funeral, based on your personal preferences.
Pre-planning also sets aside funeral funding so your family will not have to deal with monetary considerations. New York State consumers who prefund their funerals have their money protected by the strongest laws in the nation which require that such funds be placed in an interest-bearing trust account where the principal and interest remain the property of the consumer.
When you have prefunded a funeral in New York State, you should feel positive and comfortable about the following check list:
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Did you receive a copy of the funeral home's General Price List?
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Did you receive a copy of the Itemization Statement and Preneed Agreement you signed with the funeral home?
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Did you receive a Confirmation Statement of the money you left as a deposit within 30 days? Was this deposit sent to the financial institution within 10 days of the date you signed your agreement? Does the name of your depository (i.e., financial institution) appear on your confirmation? Was your money placed in an interest-bearing account or government backed investment, such as United States Treasury bonds?
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If you are currently receiving or have applied for Medicaid, did you sign an Irrevocable Agreement? By law, you must sign such an agreement which requires that any money leftover after the funeral will be returned to the local Department of Social Services office.
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When you make additional deposits to your preneed account, you must receive a confirmation statement of each deposit.
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Look for an Annual Statement at year-end which will show your activity, including interest payments. (You may be responsible for paying income tax on these interest payments depending on your particular situation.)
It is important to remember that the money in your prefund account belongs to you. Upon written request, the funeral home must advise you of the account balance, including interest. If your account is revocable, upon written request, you may withdraw the principal and interest at any time without penalty.
When pre-planning a funeral, it is important to tell family members about the arrangements and where the relevant documents are kept. Copies should be given to a spouse or next-of-kin so that they will be aware of your wishes. It is not a good idea to keep them in safe deposit box or attorney's office because they will not be easily accessible after death.
If you need more information about the pre-planning process, your neighborhood funeral director will be happy to answer any questions you have. Or visit the New York State Funeral Directors Association's website at: http://www.nysfda.org/. NYSFDA has published a comprehensive brochure, Pre-Planning Pre-Funding a Funeral, which explains different types of agreements, contains sample preplan documents and features information for SSI and Medicaid recipients. Consumers may order it for a nominal postage and handling fee of $3.50 by contacting NYSFDA on their website, or at 426 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.
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