Stapish Cederberg Funeral Homes 

Have you thought about it?
Avoid the burden of making decisions while under emotional stress by organizing details with your funeral director ahead of time.  Prearrangements can offer both emotional and financial security for you and your family.  At Stapish Cederberg Funeral Homes, we specialize in cremation and funeral prearrangement and prepayment; you can prearrange any type of service you desire.  Today there are a variety of options to meet your financial needs and wishes.  Be sure to discuss all available options before making a decision.

Your plans may be as detailed or as general as you wish. Having the luxury of 
time, you can consider your desires as well as those of others, then we can help 
you create a service that will be uniquely your own.

We can show you ways to make your money work much harder for you. With the wide range of funeral funding plans available, there is a plan for everyone, and the younger you start the greater the benefits can be, but you’re not required to have a funding plan or even spend a penny to prearrange.

PEACE OF MIND:  Leaving written instructions and setting aside adequate funds irrevocably relieves you of the worry that your spouse or children will be burdened with making difficult decisions.  In many ways, it’s a final gift of love from you to 
your family.

DIGNITY AND CONTROL:  You help ensure that your wishes are carried out with dignity and respect.  Before your death you retain the right the change funeral homes or funeral services.  These rights pass on to your family after death occurs.

INFLATION-PROOF GUARANTEE:  Stapish Cederberg Funeral Homes guarantees in writing that your funeral service and merchandise costs will be fully covered at the time of death.  When funds are held in an irrevocable insurance trust, all growth on your funeral plan is tax free.  You will not receive a Federal 1099 form.

FREE, NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION:  We have qualified counselors on staff to guide you through the prearrangement process.  By planning ahead, you have time to make more thoughtful and better decisions.

SAFETY:  Once your funds are secured in an irrevocable agreement, no one can make any withdrawals.  When your policy is established, the ONLY way that the funds will be released is with a signed copy of the funeral bill and a certified death 
certificate.

PROTECTION FROM THE NURSING HOME: Unlike other investments (including cash value of traditional life insurance) that you own, the dollars you place into a correctly structured final expense plan will not count as assets if you enter a nursing home.  The full cost of your funeral can be protected using an irrevocable insurance trust.

NO PROBATE OR DELAY:  When you use an irrevocably assigned insurance trust to hold your dollars, the funds are immediately available to pay funeral costs.  There is NO probate or delay.  

Planning now, before serious health or other problems arise, gives you the greatest range of options.  Laws may change at any time, so this should not be considered legal or tax advice.

Commonly Asked Questions About Preplanning and 
Prefunding a Funeral:

Q. Are preplanned funeral arrangements guaranteed?
A. When you prearrange, and prepay for your funeral arrangements, we guarantee that we will provide our services, and the merchandise you select, at the time of need. You pay today's prices. The funds are invested, in accordance with Michigan law, in a Preneed Funeral Policy or Trust. These plans are designed to grow in value, so the proceeds will cover the cost of the selected funeral arrangements when death occurs.  

Q. What exactly is a Preneed Funeral Policy?
A. A Preneed Funeral Policy is an insurance policy whose benefits are assigned to cover the cost of a prearranged funeral contract. A funeral contract typically includes professional services, funeral merchandise, funeral services and even cemetery services. The purpose of Preneed Funeral Policy is to set aside funds before the need arises, thereby protecting your loved ones and your financial assets by "locking in" today's costs.  

Q. How Much Does A Preneed Funeral Policy Cost?
A. Your cost depends on the cost of the services and goods you select for your funeral during the prearrangement process. In other words, you control the costs based on what you choose.  There are several payment options ranging from single payments to payments spread over years.   Again, the choice and the control are all yours.    

Q. What if I move?
A. Your Preneed Funeral Policy or Trust is completely transferable.  If you move, you may transfer your arrangements to virtually any funeral home in the United States.  

Q. Can't I just specify my arrangements in my will and let my estate take care of the expense?
A. Wills are not probated until well after death, and usually not until after the funeral services. Additionally, someone will have to qualify as executor or administrator, which may delay further any actions specified in the will from being carried out. If your wishes differ from those of your family or heirs, stating your wishes clearly in a Preneed Funeral Policy may be the best way to ensure they are carried out.