Pre-Planning

Today, more and more people are choosing to plan their funerals in advance. We find that there are three basic reasons why our families think this makes sense.

You can relieve an emotional burden from those you love. By being able to make sound decisions in advance, without stress, you can free your loved ones from this responsibility. This allows them to concentrate on supporting each other, rather than being asked to make major decisions at a very emotional time.

You can express your own wishes. Often families are confused about what is proper. They may agonize over what you would have wanted. By selecting your options in advance, there is no doubt. And, you can even change your mind later, if you wish. You can relieve the financial burden from those you love. If you also choose to handle the funding of your funeral in advance, we have plans that will assure that your survivors will never have to pay additional funds for the services and merchandise you selected.

Pre-planning your own funeral makes sense because you take full control of your future now, while saving your family the difficult decisions and the awkward issues of not knowing exactly what you may have wanted. Pre-planning allows you to talk with your family and lets you share your wishes, eliminating the emotional turmoil and burdensome decisions. You may be amazed at how good it makes you feel to get your wishes on file with us. Enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that these decisions have not been left for others to face. For those uncomfortable in a funeral home setting, we also provide in home calls for pre-planning. Consider making your wishes known today for nobody knows what the future holds.

By talking with one of our Funeral Planning Professionals, you will receive all of the information you need to decide what is right for you.

We are anxious to answer all of your questions and there is, of course, no cost or obligation for our services.'

Other FYI's concerning Pre-planning: Begin Pre-Planning » 

When pre-paying to "freeze" the costs of our services and merchandise, your money is placed in a state-approved trust account or with a top-rated insurance company until needed. Ohio Law requires the money to be invested and not be held by funeral homes as a protection for you.

It really is a simple process. We do ALL the paperwork for you and complete all the applications for the insurance company. Most commonly, payment is made in one payment, however, payment options are available to assist those who cannot pre-pay in one payment. No physical exams or blood tests required, immediate coverage once application is completed.

ALL policies are made irrecvocable after 30 days. This is another protection for you as a consumer. After the 30 day cancellation period, the money cannot be taken out without proof of death, therefore another way of ensuring you the money will be there when needed. Another protection for you by making policies irrevocable is for those needing state medical assistance or Medicaid, this money or policy cannot be used against you as an asset by law and is Medicaid approved.

All pre-arranged funerals are transferable anywhere in the U.S., another protection for your money.

We can and will accept any pre-arranged funeral from any existing funeral home at no additional cost to provide you with the best facilities, services, and personal attention you deserve while grieving the lost of a loved one.

Although it will NOT guarantee prices, we can accept other existing life insurance assignments on your behalf for Medicaid purposes and eligibility. This way you will still have all the benefits of your life insurance policy and would not be required to cash in your policies that you may have wanted to use for final expenses. We are simply assigned as the owner of the policy with you still being the insured. This is legal, call us and we can inform you of what needs to be done to complete this.

Payments and Insurance

Payment options are available at Hanenkrath-Clevenger-Schaffer Funeral Home. Most payments are made within a thirty day period, however in extenuating circumstances we are willing to work with the family. We will assist with filing claims with most insurance companies, if you wish to pay funeral expenses from insurance proceeds you may assign the amount due the funeral home and receive the excess funds directly. We do require payment for outside services such as clergy and/or musician honorariums, certified death certificates, cemetery opening and closing fees, hairdressers, obituary fees, or any other charges from a third party supplier to be paid prior to the funeral / memorial service.

Begin Preplanning »