We arrange all of our pre-funded funeral contracts through Missouri Funeral Trust. This is a safe, secure option for consumers and ensures the funds they've paid into their funeral arrangements will be safeguarded and available when they pass. Please contact us regarding any questions you may have or to set up an appointment.
"The Missouri Funeral Trust was created by funeral directors and is owned by the Missouri Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association, a non-profit organization. As such, the goal of the Missouri Funeral Trust is to ensure the safety and stability of the payments used to fund your pre-need funeral plan. No consumer has ever failed to receive the benefit of their pre-need funeral contract with the Missouri Funeral Trust."
Quoted directly from their website.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a pre-need contract and why should I have one?
Prearranging and prefunding your final disposition lifts the financial burden off of your family when you pass away. This allows them time to focus on grieving and mourning their loss. When a death occurs, there are many factors that families go through such as determining the best option for their loved one (cremation or burial), and finding what they can afford. When these choices are already arranged and paid for, the funeral home can begin the process that was agreed upon. By prefunding your final wishes, your family can feel the relief and confidence that they are fulfilling your last request.
What if I pass away in another city or another state?
If you arrange pre-need with us and you pass outside of our 50 mile radius, make sure your family knows to contact us first. Often times, we can arrange a trade service with another funeral home at little to no extra cost to your family (cost depends on location of death).
What options do you offer?
We offer two types of contracts, Guaranteed and Non-Guaranteed. The Guaranteed option is an additional $100 that we write into the contract, and this option guarantees the price of our services the day we write the contract. The extra funds added into the trust gain interest over time which offsets the rate of inflation, thus covering your funeral needs at the time of your passing. This option is best for individuals who most likely have 5+ more years of life.
*We do not guarantee the price of another funeral home if the trust is transferred.
The Non-Guaranteed option simply means that if our price increases by the time you pass, your family would pay the difference in cost. This option is best for individuals on hospice or are facing health issues that are expected to shorten their life.
I'm needing or expecting to do a medicaid spend down soon, how can I protect the funds in my trust?
We can arrange for your contract to be irrevocable which is beneficial for those doing a medicaid spend down. By making the trust irrevocable, the funds are protected from the state and cannot be defunded in a spend down, unlike other assets.
How do I know that my funds are safe?
To ensure the complete safety of your funds, we use Missouri Funeral Trust for all of our pre-need contracts. When we write a contract with MFT, a trust is opened with you, the purchaser, as the beneficiary. The trust is set up to secure the funds and can only be released to the funeral home after your death. The funeral home cannot access those funds until the agreed services have been provided. Once the service is performed after your death, your next of kin signs a Letter of Performance which we then fax to MFT and they will release the funds from your trust to us at that time.
What if I move or the funeral home goes out of business?
That's the great thing about MFT, your trust is fully transferrable at time of death to any funeral home in the United States and the funds at face value will apply to another funeral home's charges.
WHAT ARE MY PAYMENT OPTIONS?
*We can only accept cash, check, or money order made payable to Missouri Funeral Trust. We can not accept card payments for pre-need contracts.*
Our contract allows 3 payment options.
1. Pay in full the day we write the contract.
2. Pay a custom amount (example, half) the day we write the contract, and pay the remaining balance prior to the death occuring.
3. Pay $150 required to set up the trust, then fill out a form for a bank draft (VOIDED Check required). Custom monthly payments can be arranged.
Regardless of your payment method, we will provide a form of receipt to keep for your records, along with a copy of your contract.
SAMPLE CONTRACT TOTAL
MISSOURI
Direct Cremation $945
Guaranteed Option $100
2 MO Death Certificates ($25)
NO SALES TAX UNLESS MERCHANDISE IS PURCHASED
Missouri State Fee $25 (this fee is on every pre-need contract that is written in the state of Missouri)
TOTAL PAID: $1,095.00
SAMPLE CONTRACT TOTAL
KANSAS
Direct Cremation $945
Guaranteed Option $100
2 Kansas Death Certificates ($40)
KS Coroner's Permit $50
NO SALES TAX UNLESS MERCHANDISE IS PURCHASED
Missouri State Fee $25 (this fee is on every pre-need contract that is written in the state of Missouri)
TOTAL PAID: $1,160.00
Please contact us regarding any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment to arrange your pre-need with us.