Can a Pre-Paid Funeral Be Transferred to Another Funeral Home?

A trend that has become more popular in recent years is pre-paying for funerals. In addition to pre-planning and determining the details of the funeral and burial, some people also choose to pre-pay. They want to help offset the cost to their family and, in some cases, lock in a more affordable price in the event of inflation. Funerals can cost several thousand dollars, so pre-paying can be a way to get ahead.

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However, it is important to read the fine details before agreeing to a pre-payment plan. If you move or change your mind about where you want the services or burial to be held, whether or not your pre-paid funeral is transferable varies from state to state. Some states and funeral homes are very flexible about this, gladly transferring or accepting transferred plans. Others may charge an additional cost to transfer monies and agreements.

Do your research before deciding to pre-pay. Compare costs at several different funeral homes, determine exactly what services or products you may need, and ask about whether prices are guaranteed or could change depending on costs at the time of death. Also, ask about how money is retained. Some funeral homes use pre-payment to invest in a life insurance policy that goes toward the cost of services. Others will establish a trust where money is kept.

Know your rights and the funeral home’s policies when it comes to transferring pre-payment, how the contract is affected if you want to change some of the items within it, and what happens if the company closes, changes ownership, or is bought out. These can all vary from state to state and funeral home to funeral home.

Pre-planning and pre-paying for your funeral can be a great investment, but make sure you understand the fine print. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more details. We'd be happy to help you with the transfer process.

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