As a society, we plan for the future.  Such things as retirement, our children’s education, vacations, etc., may or may not occur for one reason or another.  One thing we know for a fact is that death, for each and every one of us, is going to occur.  Saying goodbye to a loved one is something no one likes to think about, but sooner or later, we all have to face it.  If the thought of planning your funeral today seems difficult, imagine how hard it will be for your family at the time of need.  The most difficult time to plan a funeral is when you have to.

One of the greatest ‘gifts’ you'll ever give your family is to pre-arrange your funeral.  The loved ones you leave behind will be faced with many decisions during this difficult time of loss. Handler Funeral Homes can help you to make the necessary arrangements now, so when the time comes, your family is secure in knowing that they are fulfilling your wishes.

Pre-arranging can be done by appointment in the comfort of you own home or in one of our two chapels.  If you would like to receive further information regarding pre-arranging your funeral please contact us to set up an appointment and we will send you a free funeral planning guide.

The Pre-Arranging Process

One misconception people have is that pre-arranging means pre-paying.  While pre-paying is an option, it is not the most important aspect of pre-arranging your funeral.  At Handler Funeral Homes we feel it is important to discuss each of the various options available, and then you can decide how much you would like to plan at this time.  The key areas of pre-arrangements are as follows:

ü Gathering Personal and Service Information

The most important aspect of pre-arranging is collecting vital statistical information required for the legal documentation (i.e. death certificate, permits, etc.) that must be completed before burial or cremation can take place.  This information can be documented with less difficulty while emotions are at rest, in the comfort of your own home, or in our home.

ü Selecting Services and Merchandise

One of the benefits of pre-arranging is that you are in control.  Many people know how they would like their funeral to be conducted. You can choose your service preferences including the type of service (funeral, memorial, mass, etc.),  cremation or burial, prayers you would like read, songs you would like played, how you would like your obituary to read, the officiate of the service, casket vault selections, burial lots, printed memorabilia, and the like.  We will guide you in selecting the services and merchandise that best fits your needs.

ü Prepayment Options

If you choose, prepayment can be taken care of at this time as well.  While prepayment is not necessary, it provides your loved ones the comfort of knowing that the associated costs are taken care of, and eliminates any financial worries or decisions for your loved ones.  We provide several funding methods and can help you find which one works best for you.

ü Pre-Arrangement Transfers

Another misconception people have is that if they have pre-arranged their funeral with one funeral home, they are unable to change their mind at a later date.  An important thing to know is that funeral pre-arrangements can be transferred to another funeral home within the inter-continental United States .  All it takes is a signature if the request is submitted prior to the need. If you have already made pre-arrangements and would like to discuss your options, or transfer them to Handler Funeral Homes, please contact us and we will handle everything.