Following is a list of frequently asked questions about funding your advance funeral plans

 

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

J.B. Tallent Funeral Service & Crematory will deposit 100% of the money received toward a Funeral Plan into an Insurance policy where it cannot be released to us until after the funeral you have chosen has been provided for you.

 

There are two types of pre-need funeral contracts – Standard and Inflation-Proof.

Under a Standard Contract, the consumer is putting some funds towards the provision of funeral goods and services.  Although the consumer may express a preference about which goods and services he or she desires, no goods and services are actually purchased at this time. The Consumer may also express his or her desires in order to determine how much his or her funeral would cost if held today. This amount is used solely to determine how much funding would be required were the funeral held today.  Again, no goods and services are actually purchased with a Standard Contract.

 

Under an Inflation-Proof Contract, the consumer actually selects funeral goods and services.  The funeral home guarantees to provide those funeral goods and services at the time of need no matter how many years prior to use your plan was established. The consumer may also select cash advance items, ( obituary fees, flowers, cemetery charges, etc.) but the cost of these items cannot be guaranteed. 

 

• How can I be sure the funeral home won’t charge my loved ones more at the time of my funeral?  

If you have an Inflation-Proof pre-need plan, the funeral home is contractually obligated to provide all the services and merchandise included in your plan. The only change would be if survivors would wish to purchase any merchandise or service in addition to the prearranged plan.

 

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

Because your money is held in an Insurance Policy, it is protected by the Insurance Commissioner and also the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service. It will always be there for your funeral, even if our funeral were to be purchased or go out of business.

 

• What if my family moves out of the area before I die? Do we lose the money we paid?

       Should you move outside of our service area, your Pre-need Funeral Plan provides those funds for your funeral at the funeral home of your choice.

 

• Doesn’t Social Security provide a death benefit?

Social Security provides a lump-sum payment of only $225 and only if you qualify.

 

• Shouldn’t I wait until I am older to deal with this?

No. The younger you are the more you have to gain. Prices will continue to rise until you freeze your costs by your purchase.

 

·        Won’t my life insurance benefits cover all my funeral expenses?

       It may, but usually life insurance benefits are intended to cover continued living    

       expenses for your family.  Also, the cost of a funeral continues to rise, while life

       insurance benefits don’t increase over time.

 

·        Can the Funeral Home ever cancel my Pre-need Funeral Plan?

        Absolutely not. The Pre-need Funeral Plan cannot be canceled by the Funeral  

        Home.

 

·        I have already made plans with another Funeral Home, can I transfer them to  

      your Funeral Home? Will I lose money by transferring the plans?

      We honor all pre-arranged plans and can assist in the transfer of those  

      plans to our funeral home and you will not lose any of the funds by transferring.