Funeral Planning Journal

The sensitive subject of planning for your Funeral is an area most people want to avoid, we offer the much needed help and support to make the process easier.


There are many reasons why you decide to plan your Funeral and the most important one is to make sure the family knows your every wish for the Funeral and how your life can be celebrated.
It will allow you to enjoy the rest of your life having the peace of mind that everything is in order.


All your wishes will be listed and available in a treasured journal, all your personal plans will be available for your family to follow and it will prevent family arguments as they follow everything you want.


In certain instances where you have no family the journal will be passed to your friends and carers to make sure all the wishes are followed.


The planning journal will cover all the essential areas including practical instructions to make sure your full estate is administered by the executors in the best and most sensible way and reducing any areas of indecision.


This document will sit next to your Will with the Solicitor and be available to your family and friends on your passing.


The Funeral Planning Journal is a document which will serve as your Letter of Wishes, and offer your family and executors’ complete clarity at a time when they will be stressed and needing assistance. 

You can sit with your family and in your own time answer the important questions.  In our experience we know this will help your loved ones find the answers to all those important questions as they make arrangements. 

For more information on future planning or planning a funeral please call Hugh or Lesley 0845 245 0026. If you prefer to email admin@funeralplans.co 

Green Burials Help the Earth and Your Wallet

Many people think of cremation as a more Earth-friendly way of dealing with their remains on this post-mortal coil, but what about the energy expended converting our body to ashes? What about the air pollution, such as mercury, from that conflagration? And what about the potential soil nutrients that this steals from the ground? In my opinion, I’ve lived off of the nutrients provided by the world for many years and have a moral obligation to give something nutritious back upon my death.

That’s why I’m pleased to see the growing field of green funerals. No longer do we need to be shackled to the traditional Christian burial process of embalming, placing in a air-tight elaborate casket and entombing the casket in a concrete vault.

A green burial is, as you might expect, a much less elaborate affair. In fact, as Josh Slocum, executive director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance, said to me, “If you want to know what a green burial is, ask your great-great-grandparents.”

Slocum said that a green burial is all about what you don’t buy. You can cross off embalming and use a simple wood box (built locally).

There are more aspects to a green burial, however, than simplifying the body preparation and container. There are green cemeteries and natural woodland areas. The cemeteries often will allow the marking of a grave with only a stone or plant or plaque set flush with the ground. The area will be allowed to return to nature, its abundance fertilized by the deceased.

There is three types of green burial grounds:

1. Hybrid, which allow burials without anything to protect the casket, and accepts uncremated bodies.
2. Natural Burial Grounds, which prohibit bodies embalmed with toxic chemicals, any features such as vault lids that would retard decomposition, any caskets not made of a natural material, and the grounds must be designed to maintain a natural appearance.
3. Conservation Burial Grounds, which “must protect in perpetuity an area of land specifically and exclusively designated for conservation.”

Slocum cautioned “You cannot consume your way to conservation.” When the day comes that I’m done consuming, a green burial might be an appropriate way to hold my place in the food chain; above cows and just below worms.

www.FuneralPlans.co

Understanding the Probate Service

“Probate”is the word commonly used for the administration of a deceased’s Estate. It actually means the name of the legal document that is produced by the High Court if the deceased left a valid Will with surviving Executors.

There are several ‘Grants’ that can be issued, but the most popular are the Grant of Probate and the Grant of Letters of Administration, for when someone dies “intestate” (without a Will).

Role of Administrator or Executor

Simply, it is the responsibility of the Executor or Administrator to deal with all aspects of the administration of the deceased’s Estate. In practice, many Executors and Administrators ask a solicitor to do this for them, due to the sizeable amount of paperwork that is generated.

Solicitors can be appointed as Executors and this is usual where you wish to ensure that a particular firm carries out the administration of the Estate for you, especially where there is a house involved.

The solicitor holding the Will should be approached as soon as possible after death in order that they can make the necessary arrangements for the administration of the Estate. If there is a Will and it is held by a solicitor you must inform that solicitor of the death as soon as possible.

A list of assets and liabilities will be compiled. If necessary, assets will be professionally valued. Once the values of the assets and liabilities have been obtained, the necessary Inland Revenue forms will be completed, a formal Oath will be sworn and the application made for the appropriate Grant .

The assets of an Estate cannot be encashed, or a house sold, until the Grant has been issued. Even when the entire Estate has been liquidated, it is not always a good idea to distribute it amongst the beneficiaries. There are two specific deadlines that have to be considered – one for creditors of the estate and another for potential beneficiaries to make a claim. 

Also, an Executor or Administrator is not legally obliged to distribute an Estate until one year has elapsed from the date of death. Most non-professional Executives do not know this, and will make payments from an Estate without being aware of the personal liability they may have. Administrating an Estate can be a complex and time-consuming task. 

Asking a solicitor to act on your behalf is not an admission of defeat – it is extremely sensible! A good solicitor will keep you involved in the process, and provide you with regular updates. You should always use a solicitor who is experienced in dealing with Estates, preferably one who is a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP), a prestigious organisation for those who are specialists in the areas of Wills, Trusts and Estates.

Probate Advice

Funeral Planner have linked up with TWP LLP and offer probare services.

www.FuneralPlanner.co

It’s never to soon to make plans.......

The time for funeral planning is something we all ,like to avoid even though we know it is going to happen to everyone

We understand how hard and painful it can be to consider a time when you are no longer around. We are aware of the genuine problems created when no planning is taken causing family stress and financial worries.

The aim of Funeral Planner is to provide valuable information allowing you to make decisions about planning your funeral, organising your estate and

supporting the post funeral arrangements for your family.

We offer a comprehensive list of services which allow people to plan a bespoke funeral service which can vary from a traditional funeral to a more modern event including coach and horses or motorbike hearses.

We can plan the type of funeral and service you want, discuss the benefits of a pre-paid funeral plan, explain why it is necessary to have a Will and look at other legal services, offer financial advice from our independent financial advisor, make a choice about flowers or donations, define your own personal funeral poetry and music, plan a reception to celebrate your life and lots more.

Our professional network include probate specialists, independent financial advisors, funeral directors and bereavement counsellors.

We also offer practical post funeral services including house clearance, refurbishment and gardening.

All your wishes will be listed and available in a treasured journal and be available for your family to follow, preventing family arguments

and any confusion.

Funeral Planning Solutions are approved members of the Golden Charter Trust and can arrange pre-paid funeral plans to secure the funeral at today's prices

http://www.funeralplans.co/

Steps to Funeral Planning

The sensitive subject of planning for your funeral is an area most people want to avoid, we offer the much needed help and support to make the process easier.

There are many reasons why you decide to plan your funeral and the most important one is to make sure the family knows your every wish for the funeral and how your life can be celebrated.

It will allow you to enjoy the rest of your life having the peace of mind that everything is in order.

All your wishes will be listed and available in a treasured journal, all your personal wishes will be available for your family to follow and it will prevent family arguments and they follow everything you want.

In certain instances where you have no family the journal will be passed to your friends and carers to make sure all the wishes are followed.

The journal once produced will cover all the essential areas including practical instructions to make sure your full estate is administered by the executors in the best and most sensible way and reducing any areas of indecision.

This document will sit next to your Will with the Solicitor and be available to your family and friends on your passing.

During the meeting we can discuss your thoughts and decide what you may want to happen. You can plan the type of funeral, discuss the benefits of a pre-paid funeral plan, explain why it is necessary to have a Will and look at other legal services, offer financial advice from our independent financial advisor, make a choice about flowers or donations, define your own personal funeral service, plan a receptions to celebrate your life and lots more.

The meeting will allow you to list down lots of answers to a number of key questions which you may not have been considered essential but will support your plans and wishes and help your family and friends when you pass on.

Sample Questions:

What type of funeral service, Religious or Humanist?

Pre Funeral gathering?

Poetry, Quotes, Readings (Be conscious that a eulogy will be read, you may want to choose the people in advance and the content)?

Music: Live or Recorded (This is linked to the funeral theme) Do you want a choir, instruments or a singer (all or part)?

The location of the Will (home, lawyer, accountant?) Let someone know where it is stored

Who are the executors? (Their names, addresses, telephone/mobile number, email addresses)

Do you have a Bank Vault?

The combination of your House Safe?

Where is your outside Storage unit?

What is the name of your Pension provider?

Insurance documents are filed where? There are many questions we ask in order to have a complete understanding of your wishes and we list all the practical details to support the estate management.

We will produce a comprehensive document and arrange the secure storage of the journal with your solicitor or family. We can also securely store in our offices, if required. The Funeral Planning Journal is a document which will serve as your Letter of Wishes, and offer your family and executors complete clarity at a time when they will be stressed and needing assistance.

Always allow time to the finish all the answers to the important questions and re-visit if more time is required.

In our experience we know this will help your loved ones find the answers to all those important questions as they make arrangements.

<><><><><>

Hugh O'Brien http://www.funeralplanner.co/ EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hugh_O'Brien

Meet The Man With A Plan For Your Loved Ones' Funeral

It's not a day many people want to think about let alone plan for, unless you are Hugh O’Brien, the north west’s first funeral planner.

Hugh opened Funeral Planning Solutions, which he runs from his home on Stanley Grove, Heaton Moor, after being made redundant from his job as a logistics manager.

The 50-year-old hit upon the idea after his aunt died and her service did not run smoothly as it had been arranged at the last minute.

Now he can arrange anything from the church music and wake buffet to organising for the deceased’s coffin to arrive at the church on a motorbike sidecar.

Mr O’Brien, a father of two, said: "I am like a wedding planner but for funerals.

"And this is even more important.

"Your wedding is just one day but overall the impact of a funeral is greater.

"Around 600,000 people a year die in this country but 70 per cent don’t have a will or make the necessary arrangements.

"People just don’t like thinking about the fact that they’re not going to be around forever.

"I leave it up to the individual, the service can be as traditional or extreme as people want.

"Whatever people request I can make happen."

As part of his service, Mr O’Brien offers will-making, the organisation of the whole funeral day as well as the clearance and disposal of the deceased person’s possessions if required.

He works alongside his wife Lesley, 48, and the business has now been running a month.

Mr O’Brien said: "Obviously there are other funeral directors or people who make wills but I am the only person who does the whole lot in the north west.

"When you tell people what you do the reaction varies from ‘that’s a bit ghoulish’ to that’s a good idea.

"Lots of people has a story of going to a funeral that went wrong. That’s what I help avoid."


www.FuneralPlanner.co


menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/news/s/1408984_meet_the_man_with_a_plan__for_your_loved_ones_funerals

Funeral Planning Journal

The sensitive subject of planning for your funeral is an area most people want to avoid, we offer the much needed help and support to make the process easier.

There are many reasons why you decide to plan your funeral  and the most important one is to make sure the family knows your every wish for the funeral and how your life can be celebrated.

It will allow you to enjoy the rest of your life having the peace of mind that everything is in order.

All your wishes will be listed and available in a treasured journal, all your personal wishes will be available for your family to follow and it will prevent family arguments and  they follow everything you want.

In certain instances where you have no family the journal will be passed to your friends and carers to make sure all the wishes are followed.

The journal we produce will cover all the essential areas including practical instructions to make sure your full estate is administered by the executors in the best and most sensible way and reducing any areas of indecision.

This document will sit next to your Will with the Solicitor and be available to your family and friends on your passing.

During our meeting we can discuss your thoughts and decide what you may want to happen. We can plan the type of funeral, discuss the benefits of a pre-paid funeral plan, explain why it is necessary to have a Will and look at other legal services, offer financial advice from our independent financial advisor, make a choice about flowers or donations, define your own personal funeral service, plan a receptions to celebrate your life and lots more.

The meeting will allow you to list down lots of answers to a number of key questions which you may not have been considered essential but will support your plans and wishes and help your family and friends when you pass on.

          Sample Questions:

•     What type of funeral service, Religious or Humanist?
•   Pre Funeral gathering?
•   Poetry, Quotes, Readings (Be conscious that a eulogy will be read, you may want to choose the people in advance and the content)?
•   Music: Live or Recorded (This is linked to the funeral theme) Do you want a choir, instruments or a singer (all or part)?
•   The location of the Will (home, lawyer, accountant?) Let someone know where it is stored
•   Who are the executors? (Their names, addresses, telephone/mobile number, email addresses)
•   Do you have a Bank Vault?
•   The combination of your House Safe?
•   Where is your outside Storage unit?
•   What is the name of your Pension provider?
•   Insurance documents are filed where?

There are many questions we ask in order to have a complete understanding of your wishes and we list all the practical details to support the estate management. We will produce a comprehensive  document and arrange the secure storage of the journal with your solicitor or family. We can also securely store in our offices, if required.

The Funeral Planning Journal is a document which will serve as your Letter of Wishes, and offer your family and executors complete clarity at a time when they will be stressed and needing assistance.

We will sit with you and give you time to the finish all the answers to the important questions and will arrange further visits if more time is required.

In our experience we know this will help your loved ones find the answers to all those important questions as they make arrangements.