Planning any kind of funeral arrangement involves many choices and decisions. By making these in advance, you can protect your loved ones from future uncertainty and help them avoid the stress of facing unfamiliar choices at an emotionally difficult time. There are several important things to consider when preplanning a funeral, many of which are presented here in this section. You will find information about: how McMullen Funeral Home can help you with preplanning, the value of having a funeral, survivor benefits and vital information your family will need to provide, and prefunding options that are available.

Role of the Funeral Director
When preplanning a funeral, you and your family will want to make some decisions regarding the funeral establishment that will handle the final arrangements. Once this decision has been made, you can call on McMullen Funeral Home to help guide you and your loved ones through the process.

McMullen Funeral Home will explain the options available to you and your family and help coordinate all of the details. No matter what the size, they encourage special requests for planning a more personal and meaningful ceremony. In addition, they will provide the information you need to make informed choices about burial and cremation, as well as casket and urn choices. Also, they will discuss benefits that your family may be entitled to, as well as the qualifications for these benefits. Furthermore, they will assist you in making cemetery plot1 monument or bronze memorial selections. If you choose, McMullen Funeral Home will also discuss and arrange for you to set aside funds for these future services - either in part or in full.

Although McMullen Funeral Home will help you plan ahead, remember the decisions are still yours. Our directors can answer questions, make suggestions and implement your desires, but all decisions rest with you and your family.

The Value of the Funeral
It is important to recognize that funerals are for the living ... for those who have suffered the trauma of losing a loved one. It is through the funeral process that a number of emotional needs are met. The funeral declares that a death has occurred, commemorates the life that has been lived, and offers family and friends that opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one.

Throughout the ages, people have relied on the comforting rituals and ceremonies of funerals to move them through their grief. Consumer research and grief experts suggest meaningful ceremonies provide closure. But most importantly, the funeral is a vital part of the process that allows the bereaved to adjust to an abruptly altered life. McMullen Funeral Home can suggest a variety of ceremonies that will help you and your family begin the essential grieving process.

Survivor Benefits
Unfortunately, many families do not receive the benefits to which they are entitled. All too often, the survivors are unaware of the claims and benefits that apply in their situations.

Social Security
When the deceased has paid into Social Security, his dependents and survivors may be eligible for certain benefits such as Death Payment, Survivor’s Benefits and Medicare Benefits. These benefits are not automatic and must be applied for.

Veterans’ Benefits
Honorably discharged veterans and their families may be entitled to a number of special benefits upon death. These may include a plot allowance, burial allowance, headstone, death pension, and burial flag. Since there are many different benefits and qualifications for each, it’s best to discuss your situation with McMullen Funeral Home.

Pre-funding
Though there are no obligations, many people decide to set funds aside when preplanning a funeral. Pre-funding is another way to lessen the future burden on family members. It not only avoids later expenses at a time when family finances are often unstable, but it also allows an individual to arrange a service at today’s prices.

Funds can be set aside either in part or in full - whatever payment plan best suits your family’s needs. We encourage you to consult with McMullen Funeral Home regarding any questions you have or to discuss the various options available to you.

Record of Vital Information
After a loved one has passed away, a friend or family member immediately will be required to provide the funeral director with personal information about the deceased. Often referred to as “vital statistics,” this includes biographical, financial and funeral arrangements information. It is valuable for obituary notices, death certificates, veterans’ benefits and helps the funeral director plan a more personalized funeral. Consider making prearrangements or establishing pre-funding as a way of planning in advance to answer questions specifically about your funeral needs. Putting your family first with McMullen Funeral Home services can ease your mind.