Pros And Cons Of Prepaid Direct Cremation

If you are considering a prepaid direct cremation, there are pros and cons you must first consider. It may seem like a straightforward decision to prepay for your end-of-life arrangements. However, there are some drawbacks to prepaying that you should be aware of. Consider these pros and cons when choosing prepaid direct cremation in Westerville, OH.

What Is Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation is the easiest and most cost-effective end-of-life arrangement. With a direct cremation, there is no visitation or funeral service prior to cremation. This eliminates the need for embalming and an expensive casket. The body will be cremated usually 24-48 hours after death. Ashes will be delivered to the next of kin, usually within 5-10 days. There is no traditional funeral or memorial service, no plot of land, no headstone, and no gravesite. The family is free to have a memorial service at a later date if they wish, or privately spread the ashes or keep the ashes in an urn or other container.

Advantages Of Prepaid Direct Cremation

• Your family will not have to worry about making arrangements at the time of your death. Everything will be taken care of, and they will have the time to properly grieve.
• Some funeral homes or crematories will offer special rates or discounts for prepayment of services. You also have the option to shop around for the best deal on the options that fit your needs.
• Many funeral homes will allow payment plans for a prepaid direct cremation. This means that you can make payments that are affordable for you, and family members will not have to worry about payment after your death. For arrangements at the time of death, payment plans are generally not accepted.
• You can reduce stress on your family by arranging everything in advance. Not having to make decisions and come up with the financing will allow your family time to grieve.

Disadvantages Of Prepaid Direct Cremation

• The funeral home could refuse to honor the agreement. If the paperwork for the agreement has been lost, the family has no proof of the prior arrangements. A funeral home could potentially refuse to honor the agreement for any number of reasons, and the family may not be able to do much about getting a refund.
• The products and services provided by the funeral home can change over time. If the options you chose are not available at the time of your death, your family may be out of luck.
• If a funeral home goes out of business before your death, it is unlikely you or your family will receive a refund for the prepaid services.

Prepaying directly to the funeral home or crematory is not your only option. You may want to consider setting aside your own cremation funds in a separate account or creating a trust to pay for your final arrangements.

You can still relieve some of the stress for your family and make payments to an account, but you will avoid some of the pitfalls that can happen when paying directly to the funeral home.

Speaking with a professional can help you plan your direct cremation. You can learn more about direct cremation in Westerville, OH. Talk to us at Buckeye Cremation by Schoedinger to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services. Visit our office in Ohio or call our location.