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Community Corner

Why Work with a Pre-Arrangement Counselor?

Pre-arrangement planning is an essential part of any estate planning process, and while it is not something many of us are anxious to do, pre-planning is one of the best final gifts individuals can leave their family.  Often, however, estate attorneys and financial planners don’t have the knowledge or experience needed to guide individuals as they make and record decisions concerning the final life celebration.  As a result, many people fail to plan leaving their loved ones to make decisions, and ultimately guess, about what the deceased would have wanted.  With a clear plan, loved ones will know exactly what your wishes are and can ensure they are carried out. 

Unfortunately, most people never take this step because they simply don’t know where to begin or what questions to ask.  That’s why, just like any important life decision – a will or real estate transaction for example – relying on the support and guidance of a knowledgeable professional, which makes planning easier, ensures every consideration is addressed, and provides you with all available options.

Working with a pre-arrangement counselor to plan your life celebration is advantageous for many reasons.

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1.       Pre-arrangement counselors have an intimate knowledge of the benefits of pre-planning, and can be sure every detail is reviewed, discussed and thoughtfully addressed.  They will ask questions that will capture the way you lived and help your friends and family celebrate your life and honor your memory.

 

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2.       Throughout the process they will be able to fully explain options such as the difference between cremation and burial, and how these choices influence other decisions. 

 

3.       Pre-arrangement counselors will guide you through a process of understanding and selecting the type of funeral and cemetery services that you want to memorialize your life, including the tone and atmosphere of the services and how they reflect your unique interests and personality, as well as choices for music and readings. 

 

4.       Equally important, they will provide information that may not be readily apparent such as bereavement travel services or national transferability.

 

5.       Because pre-arrangement counselors work with a large number of veterans they are experts in burial benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That means you can be confident you’ll understand what your VA burial benefits include and how to apply for them. 

 

6.       Finally, working with pre-arrangement counselors will help you understand funding options, let you know how much funding would be needed today, and give you an estimate of how much may be needed in the future, to fund your selections.

No matter what your wishes are for your funeral and cemetery plans, working with a pre-arrangement counselor to navigate the planning process and record them so they can be shared with your loved ones will help ensure that your final arrangements will be what you want, while easing the burden on your family and friends.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 310-474-1579.

About the Author:

Jolene Mason is the general manager of Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary, FD 951, a proud Dignity Memorial provider in Los Angeles. The Dignity Memorial network of more than 1,800 funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers is North America’s most trusted resource for funeral and memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity, respect and service excellence. For more information, call (310) 474-1579 or visit http://www.pbwvmortuary.com.

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