At Harrison Funeral Home we can answer all of your questions about pre-planning. We offer several payment plans and use various financial vehicles to meet your needs. Let us help you acquire the peace of mind and sense of security that comes from knowing that your funeral costs will be covered.

The planning concept has been part of daily life from the beginning of time. To plan for any endeavor, occasion, or event simply ensures that it is more likely to take the form intended. Pre-arranging for funeral services is no different; it affords you the opportunity for making decisions at a less stressful time, as well as opting, if you so choose, to secure the financial obligations at today's costs. We encourage you to take the time to review the information on this page, especially the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this section. Discuss any questions or concerns openly with family members, clergy, and your funeral director before making any final decisions.

Then to make your arrangements requires only that you sit down with a funeral director and record your wishes in a confidential funeral home file. A copy of the funeral decisions should also be kept with other important personal documents, accessible to surviving family members. It's that simple and Harrison Funeral Home never charges for advanced planning consultation.

You may want to go a step further with advanced planning and want to pay funeral expenses in advance. Strict federal regulations govern the prepayment of funeral expenses to assure the funeral purchaser's funds are protected.

Some families today are finding the need to "spend down" assets for an elderly or ill parent or family member. Circumstances have forced them to seek assistance from SSI or Medicare. These families have been instructed that the affected person cannot receive assistance until their assets are depleted to a specific amount. Before this occurs a family is advised to consider an "Irrevocable Funeral Agreement." This agreement allows for prepayment of funeral services using the affected person's funds. These funds, while still under the purchaser's control, are exempt from their assets, as they must be used only for their funeral expenses. There is no "look-back" time constraints on pre-planned funerals.

We endorse the concept of pre-arranging. It is smart, makes good sense, and is an economically sound decision. We urge you to talk to family members and friends about their experiences in planning funerals, with and without those services being pre-planned. Throughout the years, Harrison Funeral Home has offered advance planning as part of our services to the community. Those who complete this procedure find that it is one of the most thoughtful acts they can accomplish for the people they love. Should you desire to ask any questions, receive further information, or discuss making pre-arrangements, please call us at (785) 738-2235.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where does the money go that I prepay into the plan?

By Kansas law, Harrison Funeral Home will deposit the money received toward a Harrison Funeral Plan into an insurance policy, trust, or CD where it cannot be released to us until after the funeral you have chosen has been provided.

How can I be sure the funeral home won't charge my loved ones more at the time of my funeral?

Harrison Funeral Home is contractually obligated to provide all of the service and merchandise included in your Harrison Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan. The only change would be if the survivors would wish to purchase any additional merchandise or service not included in the pre-arranged plan.

What if the cost of the funeral service I prepay is greatly increased in actual cost at the time of my death?

By contract, Harrison Funeral Home can never charge more for any of the services and merchandise that you have chosen to be included in your Harrison Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan, no matter how many years prior to use your plan was established.

What if your funeral home is no longer in business at the time of my death?

Because your money is held in an insurance policy, trust or CD, it will always be there for your funeral, even if Harrison Funeral Home were to be purchased or go out of business.

What if my family moves out of the area before I die? Do we lose the money paid to Harrison Funeral Home?

Should you move outside of our service area, your Harrison Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan provides for transfer of the plan to the funeral home of your choice.

Won't my life insurance benefits cover all my funeral expenses?

It may, but aren't your life insurance benefits intended for your spouse's security or your child's education? Also, the cost of a funeral continues to rise, while your life insurance benefits may not increase over time.

Doesn't Social Security provide a death benefit?

Social Security provides a lump-sum payment of $255, and only if you qualify!

Can Harrison Funeral Home ever cancel my Advance Funeral Plan?

Absolutely not. The Harrison Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan is a permanent lifetime protection. As long as payments are paid on time, your agreement can't be canceled because of your age, health, or any other reason.

Shouldn't I wait until I'm older to deal with this?

No, the younger you are, the more you have to gain. Prices will continue to rise until you freeze your costs by your purchase.

How do I know you will really put my money in a safe financial agency?

Each Harrison Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan is registered with the State of Kansas and all records are periodically audited to assure the deposit of funds.