Learn About Pre-Planning

At Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home we can answer all of your questions about pre-planning. We offer several payment plans and use National Pre-Arranged Life Insurance Company and the Kansas Funeral trust as funding agents. Let us help you experience the peace of mind and sense of security that comes from knowing that your funeral cost will be covered in the future and you will pay no more.

The planning concept has been part of our 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 you 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 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Discuss any questions or concerns openly with family members, clergy, and your funeral director before making any final decisions.

Through the years you've planned for your dreams and made many important decisions, such as weddings, children's education, home ownership, and retirement. Today, more people are also preparing themselves and their families for what they know will happen.

For some, just the simple fact that they have given basic directions to family members, provides comfort that their loved ones will not have to make difficult decisions at their death. This is commonly done by sitting down with a funeral director and after reviewing options, recording your wishes in a confidential funeral home file. Usually a copy of the funeral decisions would also be kept with other important personal documents that are accessible to surviving family members. It's that simple and Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home never charges for advanced planning consultation.

Some will wish to go a step further with advanced planning and want to pay funeral expenses in advance. Strict state laws govern the prepayment of funeral expenses to assure the funeral purchaser's funds are protected. Prepayment for funeral services, unlike prepayment of cemetery expenses, can not be made directly to a funeral home. An approved funding vehicle must be utilized, which in most instances allows the consumer to receive a full refund with interest should needs change in the future. Most common of these are funeral trust accounts with FDIC insured financial institutions or highly rated funeral insurance companies. Most prepayment plans guarantee the consumer will pay no more for the funeral services arranged. Under no circumstance can a funeral home invade these accounts before the funeral services are rendered and proof of services rendered have been provided. Prepayment of expenses for services and merchandise with a cemetery are regulated differently and are seldom refundable.

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. When done, the funds, while still the purchaser's, are exempt from their assets, as they must be used only for their funeral expense.

As with any important decision, it is important that a family communicates their wishes and requests with each other. It is not wise for a husband and wife to make arrangements without complete disclosure and acceptance from each other. All persons involved should be comfortable with decisions made.

We endorse the concept of pre-arranging. It is smart, makes good sense, and is an economically sound decision. We invite you to experience our difference in personal attention and sensitivity without pressure or obligation, with the freedom from the pressures of immediate need.

Here is a list of questions we are frequently asked, along with the answers. If you have other questions, feel free to drop us an e-mail, or call 785-823-3456 or toll free 1-877-823-3456.