T he 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) 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.

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 Ford-Ustick Funeral Home never charges for advanced planning consultation.

When you finalize your plan, we can advise you of the total cost. You do not have to set aside funds for your plan, but doing so protects you against escalating funeral costs. By locking in today's funeral costs and ensuring that the necessary funds are set aside, you help relieve yourself of unnecessary future worry and your survivors of an unexpected expense.

At Ford-Ustick Funeral Home we can answer all of your questions about pre-planning. We offer several payment plans and use our local banks to fund the trusts or we can simply take assignments on any existing life insurance. 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.

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.

F uneral arrangements are a deeply personal choice. Pre-planning provides you with the time needed to make practical, detailed decisions that reflect your standards, lifestyle, taste and budget. And we assure you and your family that the choices you make will be carried out as planned.

H ere 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 719-254-3434 for an appointment.

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

By Colorado law, Ford-Ustick Funeral Home will deposit 100% of the money received toward a Ford-Ustick Funeral Plan into Insurance or Trust, where it cannot be released to us until after the funeral you have chosen has been provided for you. 100% of the money you have pre-paid will be used for your funeral.

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

Ford-Ustick Funeral Home is contractually obligated to provide all of the service and merchandise included in your Ford-Ustick Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan. The only change would be if the survivors would wish to purchase any merchandise or service in addition to the prearranged plan.

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

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

Question: 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 or Trust, it will always be there for your funeral, even if Ford-Ustick Funeral Home were to be purchased or go out of business.

Question: What if my family moves out of the area before I die? Do we lose the money paid to Ford-Ustick Funeral Home?

Should you move outside of our service area, your Ford-Ustick Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan provides for your funeral at the funeral home of your choice.

Question: 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 don't increase over time.

Question: Doesn't Social Security provide a death benefit?

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

Question: Can Ford-Ustick Funeral Home ever cancel my Advance Funeral Plan?

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

Question: 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.

Question: How do I know you will really put my money in a Insurance Policy or Trust?

Each Ford-Ustick Funeral Home Advance Funeral Plan is registered with the State of Colorado and all records are periodically audited to assure the deposit of funds.