Pre-planning of a funeral arrangement is a service made available by The Dietrich Funeral Home to provide our families with information, options and answers.

With over 134 years of experience within the Dietrich Funeral Home existence, our skilled staff is sensitive to your needs, and we strive to make a difficult time easier by pre-planning. The pre-arrangement may be a brief conversation to create and record your intent or a full consultation to address all necessary questions in a detailed manner. In either case, whether brief or extensive, you will be consulting with an experienced, licensed funeral director who is well informed in all areas of pre-planning.

The decision to preplan your funeral is a loving gesture for those you leave behind, alleviating decision-making during a stressful time. This simple process allows you to specify choices such as music, flowers, and types of service for your funeral based on your personal preferences. 

Pre-Planning

Reasons for Considering Pre-Planning of Funeral Arrangements:

• Avoid decisions in crises without stress, fatigue, or depression.
• Secure a guaranteed cost, protecting again inflation.
• Take advantage of Medicaid opportunities.
• Resolve Social Security Concerns
• Plan military presentations with precision.
• Consider funeral breakfast options.
• Invest securely with FDIC-insured options.
• Understand that revocable accounts are refundable and portable.
• Be aware that Medicaid accounts are irrevocable as per New York State law.
• Plan meaningful funeral liturgy, including music, readings, prayers, and more.
• Incorporate photograph presentations.
• Receive assistance with eulogy presentations.
• Address cremation options and inquiries, such as casket rental, cremains burial, scattering legality, commemorative urns, and jewelry urns.
• Consideration of cemetery options with regard for full burial or cremation.
• Leaving loved ones with guidance and direction providing your family relief.
• Peace of mind knowing your wishes are properly documented.

General information:

• Gather Personal Information for Obituary: Collect important details about your life, achievements, and relationships that you’d like to be included in your obituary.
• Choose a Charity: Decide on a charity or organization that you would like donations to be directed to in lieu of flowers.
• Choose a Location: Determine the location(s) for your funeral service, memorial, or celebration of life.
• Make Note of Instructions: Record any specific instructions you have for your services and final arrangements, such as preferences for the tone of the service or any unique requests you may have.

The Funeral Service:

• Burial or Cremation: Decide whether you prefer traditional burial or cremation.
• Select a Casket or Container: If you choose burial, select a casket. For cremation, choose a cremation container or urn.
• Choose Service Details: Determine the type of service (religious, secular, celebration of life, etc.) and its location(s).
• Floral Arrangements: Decide on the types of flowers or arrangements you’d like to have at the service.
• Display Memorabilia: Select items like photographs, memorabilia, or personal items you’d like to have on display during the service.
• Cultural and Religious Considerations: If applicable, consider any customs, traditions, or religious practices that are important to you or your family.
• Clothing Choice: Decide what you’d like to be dressed in for your final resting place.
• Music and Hymns: Choose music and hymns that hold significance to you.
• Theme and Decorations: If you want a specific theme, choose decorations and stationery that reflect it.
• Transportation Arrangements: Plan transportation for your remains and your family to and from the service location.

Participants:

• Clergy or Celebrant: Choose a clergy member or celebrant to lead the service if applicable.
• Musicians: Decide if you’d like musicians to perform at the service.
• Pallbearers: Select individuals to serve as pallbearers for burial or honorary pallbearers for cremation service.
• Speakers: Choose friends or family members to give eulogies, read scriptures, or deliver speeches.

Final Disposition:

• Cemetery: Choose a cemetery where you’d like to be buried or interred.
• Burial Plot or Mausoleum: Decide on the specific burial plot or mausoleum location.
• Memorial Marker: Choose a memorial or grave marker design and inscription.
• Urns and Ashes: If you choose cremation, decide who will keep your urn and any preferences for its design or placement.
• Scattering of Ashes: Determine who will scatter your ashes and where, if applicable.

Pre-funding

Pre-funding your funeral with Dietrich Funeral Home presents numerous advantages. All funds are deposited into a federally insured trust account under the beneficiary’s name. An annual account statement is provided to keep you informed. No funds are transferred to Dietrich Funeral Home until services are rendered. Our consultations for pre-funding are offered without charge.

Pre-funding also sets aside funds, sparing your family’s financial concerns. In New York State, pre-funded funeral funds are safeguarded by robust laws. These laws mandate that such funds be placed in an interest-bearing trust account, ensuring the principal and interest remain the property of the consumer.

When you’ve pre-funded a funeral in New York State, did you receive the following?

• Receive a copy of Dietrich Funeral Home’s General Price List.
• Obtain an Itemization Statement and Preneed Agreement copy, both signed with the funeral home.
• Confirm the deposit’s Confirmation Statement within 30 days and its submission to the financial institution within 10 days of your agreement’s signing.
• Verify the name of your depository on the confirmation.
• Ensure your funds are placed in an interest-bearing account or government-backed investment, like United States Treasury bonds.
• If applying for Medicaid, sign an Irrevocable Agreement, obliging any excess funds to be returned to the local Department of Social Services office.
• When you make additional deposits to your preneed account, you must receive a confirmation statement of each deposit.
• Look for an annual statement at year-end showing your activity, including interest payments. You may be responsible for paying income tax on these interest payments depending on your situation.

Remember, your prefund account’s funds belong to you. Upon written request, the funeral home must provide your account balance, including interest. If your account is revocable, you can withdraw the principal and interest upon written request, penalty-free.

When pre-planning your funeral, it is important to share the arrangements and where the documents are kept with family members. Provide copies to a spouse or next-of-kin for easy access. Avoid keeping documents in a safe deposit box or attorney’s office, as they may be challenging to access after death.