Did you know...FDLIC policy claims are typically paid the next business day to the funeral home.

What is prearrangement?

Prearangement is planning a funeral before the time of death. It is an important part of your estate and retirement planning. Without prearrangement, the details of the funeral are left to a small group of family members who have little warning or time to plan this major life event. Prearrangement relieves your family of that responsibility. You are able to leave detailed instructions about your desires and wishes. Prearrangement gives peace of mind to both you and your family.

What are my options for prearrangement?

You can prearrange your service details such as:

  • Casket selection
  • Cremation with memorial service
  • Green funeral options
  • Anatomical donation
  • Flower selections
  • Funeral director's services
  • Music selections
  • Pallbearers
  • Catering
  • Scripture or poetry readings
  • And much more

Your local funeral director will work with you to accommodate you and your family's wishes.

I would like to prearrange, but what if I move?

Because of the flexible nature of our preneed contracts, your preferences for prearrangement may be transferred at any time in the event you move. Your local funeral director can recommend a reputable funeral home in your new community.

How much do funerals cost?

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) states that the average funeral costs roughly $7,000, however cash items that aren't usually purchased through the funeral home such as grave opening and closing, vault and cemetery property, flowers, clergy honorariums, obituaries and death certificates can add hundreds or thousands to the price depending on the choices the family makes. Funeral costs also vary greatly depending on what type of arrangements you choose (traditional or cremation), what type of casket you choose, and other products and services you may want. They can also vary depending on the area where you live.

However, by prearranging you can alleviate the final cost of funeral services for your family, protecting them from overspending during a difficult emotional time. It will also allow you to pay for your arrangements in small monthly installments, and may also provide the added protection of life insurance in the case of a premature death.

Why do I need life insurance to pay for my funeral?

Not all funeral contracts come with life insurance coverage, but with a few health qualifications, you can add an extra layer of protection to your funeral plans by going with a preneed insurance policy. This protects you and your family in two important ways: First, with life insurance, if something were to happen to you before you paid for your arrangements in full, the life insurance policy would step in and pay the balance due on your arrangements. Second, if the funeral home you originally chose were to close, or you decided to move to another town, you should be able to use the funds from your life insurance policy at the funeral home of your choosing.

Do I need to pass a physical?

No. We do, however, ask you to answer questions about your health to determine which of our products is best for you. If you are in good health, you may qualify for full insurance coverage. If you have experienced some health problems, but are not terminally ill, you may qualify for graded benefit insurance, which will provide limited coverage for the first two years of your contract and 100% coverage thereafter. In other cases we offer plans that are still transferable to other funeral homes, allow you to make payments, and produce growth over time, which provides the peace of mind knowing your wishes will be carried out, and protects you and your family from future price increases.

How do I get started with my prearrangements?

Contact your local funeral director or prearrangement specialist and set up a meeting to discuss your options.  Locate a funeral home in your area.

What if I prearrange in my community and then die away from home?

If you are traveling or visiting another city when death occurs, your survivors should contact your local funeral home immediately. In most cases, they should be able to help with necessary arrangements for transfer.

What if I change my mind about my arrangements?

Funeral homes are based on service to families. They should respect your wishes at all times and strive to meet any special needs and requests from you and your family, whether planning ahead or at the time of need. You can adapt plans to meet your changing needs or desires.

What if I cancel my prepaid funeral arrangements?

Refunding of your prearrangement funds depends on individual state law and the type of preneed policy or contract you own. Ask your local funeral director or prearrangement specialist to explain how refunds are handled for your particular preneed contract.

Are my funeral funds safe when I prepay?

Absolutely. When you prepay through FDLIC you can rest assured knowing that your funds are safe and secure. FDLIC has a strong commitment to service, which includes a dedication to being there for our policy holders when they need us. FDLIC is rated A- "Excellent" by A.M. Best Company, the leading provider of ratings for insurance companies worldwide. This rating reflects FDLIC's financial stability and ability to repay claims.

Do I have to pay for my prearrangements in advance?

No, you do not. Prearrangement services are offered through your local funeral home at no cost to you. You can decide on every detail, put it in writing, and keep it on file at the funeral home of your choice, all with the help of a prearrangement specialist. It is up to you to decide if you wish to prefund your arrangements at a later date.

What if I don't want to go through a funeral home?

Final expense planning can be done not only through a funeral home, but also through a certified insurance agency. We can recommend a reputable company to you that will walk you through the steps of prearrangement, answer all your questions, and provide you with excellent service.

What if you haven't answered my question here?

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are ready and willing to assist you in any way we can. Our phones are answered by a live person during business hours, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.