Unfortunately, paying in advance for a funeral can have pitfalls, especially if you pay many years before your death. Things could change in the interim, and options you wanted, and perhaps even paid for, could become unavailable.
Let’s say, for example, that after the death of his wife, who had no estate plan at all, Louis’ dad made a detailed funeral plan to spare his three kids the hassle. The only problem is that this happened two decades ago. Now, Dad just died at 94, but when Louis tried to execute the plans that Dad had made, he ran into a bunch of snags.
The florist his dad selected is out of business, the casket is no longer being manufactured, the priest he’d hoped to officiate has retired and even some of the guests he’d hoped would eulogize him have also died.
Now Louis is left struggling to figure out how to honor his dad’s legacy. Fortunately, there are some options, and experts have weighed in on the best approach.
Dad’s plan will still help Louis out
While Louis is frustrated that Dad’s plans aren’t going to pan out, the good news is that all is not lost — including, most likely, the funds Dad shelled out for prepaid floral arrangements with a florist who shut its doors years ago.
“Suppliers go out of business and materials or manufacturing adjustments occur,” Caleb M. Klein, a licensed funeral director with Loving Ceremony, told Moneywise. “This happens with casket and urn selections as well as third-party vendors such as florists. Funeral directors handle this on a regular basis and are experienced in making things right in these situations.”
Jamie Sarche, director of pre-planning at Feldman Mortuary, agreed, telling Moneywise, “The first step is to have the funeral home review the original arrangements and determine what was actually purchased or guaranteed versus what was simply documented as a preference.”
Sarche explained that “if the plan is funded, the funeral home would be obligated to provide an equivalent or better casket, and they can easily find another florist.” Klein elaborated on these requirements, making clear that the funeral home is responsible for finding a “comparable product.”
“This comes down to materials and quality,” he explained. “If the casket on the preplanned funeral contract is a 16-gauge, brushed stainless steel casket, then the replacement should be at least the same or better quality.”
Louis should stick to the spirit of Dad’s plan
The casket issue isn’t the only thing worrying Louis. He also has the shuttered florist to contend with.
