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When a loved one passes away, it can be a difficult experience for
surviving family members. An array of important decisions must be made quickly if there are no pre-arrangements.
Preparing and planning now can assure you and your family "Peace of Mind", assuring that those difficult
decisions and financial arrangements have been made. The professional counselors at Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson
Funeral Home are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding pre-arranged funeral plans.
PRE-NEED FUNERAL AND BURIAL PURCHASES
What is it?
A pre-need funeral or burial purchase is purchasing, in advance, funeral
services and merchandise that you select for yourself or loved ones. In connection with the purchase of pre-need
services and merchandise, you enter into a pre-need contract with the funeral home.
What protection is
provided by Illinois law? back to top
The Illinois Funeral or Burial Trust Funds Act allows individuals to place
funds in trust for funeral expenses. Sellers of pre-need services and/or merchandise must be licensed by the State
of Illinois through the Office of the Comptroller, which has jurisdiction over the administration and enforcement
of this law. You may contact the Comptroller's Office to verify whether a seller is licensed.
What services
and merchandise does the Funeral or Burial Funds Act cover?
The law covers the purchase of funeral services, clothing, caskets, burial
containers commonly referred to as burial vaults, and urns. The law does not cover sales of cemetery services and
merchandise. The Illinois Pre-Need Cemetery Sales Act and Cemetery Care Act may cover these. The Comptroller's
Office also administers these laws.
What is the reason for a
contract? back to top
All pre-need contracts sold in Illinois must contain disclosures to assist
consumers in their purchase of pre-need services and merchandise.
What are Guaranteed
and Non-Guaranteed Contracts?
A "Guaranteed Contract" means that the funeral home guarantees to provide
the services and/or merchandise selected for the amount of money stated in the contract. This means that you or
your estate will not be required to pay any additional costs for the items guaranteed, except for unexpected charges
incurred (which may include the need for shipment of remains from a distance).
back to top
If a contract does not guarantee the prices charged, it must be clearly identified as a "Non-Guaranteed Contract."
The amount paid will be determined at the time the services and/or merchandise are needed. Any amount paid pre-need
will be considered a deposit to be used toward the purchase price, which will earn interest.
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