Like everything else, funeral costs are continually increasing. Families who are faced with an overwhelming number of last-minute decisions are often unsure of what to spend.

This is why many people are turning to advanced planning. It allows them the opportunity to record their wishes and necessary information and, with the right kind of preparation, earmark the necessary funds to pay for it.

There are many ways to provide the necessary funds including trusts and special savings accounts. One of the best ways is to set up an insurance policy that has been specifically designed to cover funeral expenses. You can and should do this through your funeral director. You will then know that the necessary money will be there when you need it.

It is your choice to pre-pay your funeral expenses or to pay at the time of need. The advantage of paying in advance is that the arrangements you select now will be paid in the future regardless of increases due to inflation. We guarantee that we will provide the services of your choice without additional cost to you or your family no matter when the service is needed.

Several payment plans are available. The plan is transferable to other funeral homes across the country, but the cost of providing the same funeral may vary by geographic location. A funeral director may not guarantee the same funeral for the same price.

A funeral plan can be set up in an irrevocable format that can be a benefit if a long-term nursing home stay occurs later in life. This plan cannot be considered an asset and will not disrupt social security and Medicaid benefits. This is an option to use if you need to meet eligibility requirements for financial assistance. See Illinois Department of Human Services for information on qualifying for assistance.

Sellers of pre-need services must be licensed by the State of Illinois through the Office of the Comptroller. For your personal protection, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Insurance, 320 West Washington, 4th Floor, Springfield, Illinois 62767 if you believe that improprieties exist in connection with the sale of insurance used to fund a pre-need contract.

Planning ahead can be done in the comfort of your own home or at The Daleiden Mortuary. When you plan in advance, you decide what funeral arrangements you prefer. During pre-arrangements, you select the particulars of the funeral you are pre-planning. Items to consider are the type of service you want, whether there will be an open casket, who will officiate, the kind of casket that's appropriate, the type of disposition that's preferred, the music that will be played, along with other details and special requests.

Pre-planning gives families the peace of mind that decisions have been made when relevant information can be considered in a relaxed manner. By selecting your options in advance, there is no doubt in your family's mind as to what you would have wanted. You can even change your mind later if you wish. By talking with one of our funeral professionals, you will receive all the information you need to decide what is right for you.

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