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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Below is a list of questions and responses that we commonly receive at the funeral home. We will continue to include any new questions in this section that we feel would be helpful to others. If you have a question that has not been covered in this site we would like to hear from you. You may use the "Ask the Director" section of our site to forward your question or comments to us. If you would prefer to call us on the telephone, our staff would be pleased to provide an answer to any funeral related matter you may have. If we do not have the answer immediately, we will find it for you and contact you the minute the information is in our hands. |
| Question #1 | How do you make funeral prearrangements? |
| Answer: | It is not a difficult or complicated task. Simply call a Funeral Director or Preplanning Sales Consultant and make an appointment. There is no charge for prearrangement consultation. Price lists of services and caskets are available upon request, without obligation or charge. Prearrangements can be made at the Funeral Home or in the privacy of your own home. Your wishes are recorded in writing and retained on file until needed. |
| Question #2 | Who prearranges a funeral? |
| Answer: | Anyone who is planning ahead, many times when long term financial planning or when making or updating a will. Anyone looking for peace of mind Family members or an executor who is responsible for the care of someone in a nursing home or retirement home. People who travel and vacation outside Canada. Family members who are caring for someone terminally ill. Anyone can consider prearrangement. |
| Question #3 | What are the advantages of prearrangements? |
| Answer: | Most people tell us Peace of Mind Provides an opportunity to ask questions to get clear and concise answers on all aspects of the funeral. Personal choices are considered and economic decisions can be made while not under emotional stress. Ensures your wishes are recorded in writing and retained on file. Relieves family members of difficult choices at time of death. Prearrangement is a practical idea that makes sense. Prearrangement is part of sensible estate planning IE: Making a Will, Pensions/RRSP, Life Insurance Benefits, Prearrangement |
| Question #4 | Can a prearranged funeral be prepaid? |
| Answer: | Yes, at your option. Payment is made in advance at today's cost. Be aware that all Manitoba Funeral Homes may not be licensed to sell and offer Prearranged Funeral Plans. See earlier section on the Prearranged Funeral Act in Manitoba Payment can be made in installments. You can also prearrange without prepayment Insurance Assignments are also a viable option |
| Question #5 | If I choose to prepay my funeral what prepayment options do I have? |
| Answer: | With a Prearrangement Agreement funded by an assigned specialty Funeral or Final Expense Insurance Plan: No medical is required. Payments can be made by single payment or 1, 3, 5, and 10 year installments. With a Trust Fund Plan - Single Payment and 1 year installments. No age restriction The funeral home must deposit your funds in trust. The accrued interest growth is applied to any cost increase when the services are required. |
| Question #6 | What are the advantages to a prepaid funeral plan. |
| Answer: | The funeral services & merchandise on a guaranteed trust prepaid contract are guaranteed for delivery in the future at no additional costs to the family. There are no further charges to the family or estate -- except additional cash advances such as newspaper, flowers, clergy, and cemetery etc.. Trust funds can be invested through the funeral home for this as well on a non-guaranteed trust contract Interest growth on a prearranged funeral is not subject to income tax. Prepaid funds are protected by Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act..providing the funeral home is licensed under the Prearranged Funeral Act and depositing those funds with a recognized institution. The maximum anyone can contribute to a prepaid funeral is $15,000.00. |
| Question #7 | What information does a Funeral Director / Preplanning Sales Consultant require for prearrangement? |
| Answer: | Name, address, birth date and birthplace Social Insurance Number Full name of husband or maiden name of wife, even if widowed or divorced Occupation Father's name and birthplace Mother's maiden name and birthplace Cemetery or crematorium Clergy's name Place of service - Church, Funeral Home Chapel Name and address of executor, legal representative or next of kin |
| Question #8 | What are my responsibilities as an estate Trustee / Executor? |
| Answer: | One of the first responsibilities of an executor is making or assisting with the funeral arrangements. Mosaic Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery Services provides an Executor's Toolkit to assist families. |
| Question #9 | What should an estate Trustee / Executor know? |
| Answer: | Where the will is located and what it contains. If you trust a person enough to make them an executor, give them a copy of your will. Keep your original will in a safety deposit box, but keep a copy at home. Generally banks are not open on holidays and weekends. Inform your executor of what your funeral prearrangements are. Many wills only state what Funeral Home to call, not what the person's wishes are. |
| Question #10 | Did you You Know? |
| Answer: | We provide complimentary seminars on a variety of topics including: Funeral Planning, Executor and Estate Settlement and Cremation Options. Specifically tailored seminars for your group can also be arranged. Please call our preplanning dept. for more information @ (204)275-5555 |
