Approximately seven million Americans have prearranged their funeral with a funeral home. This is because more and more people are recognizing that planning a funeral in advance demonstrates love and consideration toward their family members. It is a thoughtful decision that reduces the stress of indecision and uncertainty when a death occurs.
The planning process is something that has been a part of our daily lives forever. We purchase fire insurance for our home for the possible event of a fire; we purchase auto insurance for the possible event of an accident; doesn't it make sense to plan for the one event that is certain to happen?
We give you the opportunity to make your choices with the freedom from the usual urgencies that are created when a death occurs. Advance planning makes good sense, and is an economically sound decision.
Plan your own funeral: Can I place my records on file via the Dinoto Funeral Home web site?
Yes. At Dinoto Funeral Home, the first step in pre-planning is to complete our Pre-Arrangement Form either by clicking the link below or by requesting one to be mailed to you. This form asks for basic biographical information which we must have on file before any further steps can be taken.
We will then mail you our comprehensive, no-obligation Dinoto Funeral Home Pre-Arrangement Packet which contains not only the above mentioned biographical worksheet, but also additional worksheets for you to make further notes of your wishes; our General Price List; as well as other helpful information regarding Social Security, Veteran’s Benefits, etc..
Finally, one of the most important steps in Pre-Arranging a Funeral is composing the obituary. Most newspapers now charge for obituaries based upon length, therefore you may include as much information that you wish; however, the average obituary in the New London Day (without a photo) costs approximately $ 375.00 (The Norwich Bulletin & Westerly Sun typically cost 25-40% more). We are happy to help compose the obituary and get a price quote prior to publication or you can reference the "Composing An Obituary" guide in our Pre-Arrangement Packet.
To begin the process of Advance Planning and complete our Pre-Arrangement Form; please Click Here or call us at 860.536.2685 and request our complete Pre-Arrangement Packet. Our business office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:00pm, but we can be reached at any time by phone at 860-536-2685.
If
you have any questions about preplanning, feel free to contact us
at our funeral home, or email directly at dinotofh@aol.com.
Why
do families prearrange?
There
are many reasons families prearrange, including:
- To
give yourself time to think about certain aspects of the service
without having to make immediate decisions
- Make
sure your preferences for the type of funeral service you desire
are fulfilled
- Control
Costs. By paying for your funeral in advance, your assets are
protected and grow at competitive interest rates
- To
relieve your family members of the financial responsibility of
funeral expenses at the time of death
- To
ensure understanding of possible benefits at the time of death
for your survivors, such as social security, veteran benefits,
and life insurance claims
- To
avoid giving the surviving family members the 104 decisions that
must be made on the most difficult day of their life (see this
list below)
- Knowing
that your plans and confidences are with an over 100 year old,
family-owned business, providing the community with an honest
staff of professional, licensed funeral directors dedicated to
superior quality and value
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Things
that must be done on the Most Difficult Day of Your Life
A. SECURE VITAL
STATISTICS (Required For Documents)
- Full
name, complete address, telephone number
- Date
of birth
- Place
of birth
- Marital
status
- Educational
attainment
- Citizenship
(US/Canadian/Other)
- Father's
name
- Father's
birthplace
- Mother's
maiden name
- Mother's
birthplace
- Social
Security Number
- Veteran's
Serial/Service Number
- Date
& place of service, date of discharge
- How
long at current residence/former residence(s)
- Occupation,
job title, nature of work & history
- Location
of workplace, telephone number
- Family
origin
B. PAY SOME
OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
- Funeral
expenses
- Purchase
of family burial estate, mausoleum crypt, cremation niche, opening & closing costs
- Monument/Marker
engraving charges
- Clergy
- Organist
and vocalist
- Florist
- Obituary
Fees
- Clothing for Burial, entombment or cremation
- Transportation
costs
C. COLLECT
DOCUMENTS AND PAPERWORK
- Birth
certificate/legal proof of age
- Social
Security card or number
- Veteran's
discharge certificate
- Insurance
policies (life, health, accident, property, auto)
- Bank
books and listing of accounts
- Other
financial accounts
- Cemetery
deed or proof of ownership
- Auto
titles or bill of sale
D. DECIDE AND
ARRANGE WITHIN A FEW HOURS
- Exact
location of burial/disposition and which space to open
- Location
of service
- Service
type (religious, fraternal, military)
- Time
for visitation and funeral service
- Arrange
for special religious services
- Provide
information for eulogy
- Determine
if casket is open or closed
- Burial
Vault
- Provide
vital statistics about deceased for newspaper
- Clothing
and jewelry for deceased
- Selection
of scripture & readings (poems etc.)
- Selection
of clergy
- Funeral
Home preference
- Marking
of grave (either temporary or permanent)
- Charitable
contributions for memorials in memory of deceased
- Register
book, memorial/prayer cards
- Select
Pallbearers
- Select
floral arrangements
- Musical
selections
- Decide
if transportation is needed for family & guests, including funeral procession lineup
- Reviewing
& signing all paperwork
- Necessary
meetings with funeral director, lawyer, clergy, cemetery, etc.
- Acknowledging
those who help in a special way (contributors of flowers, food, donations, etc.)
- Order
certified copies of death certificate
- Items
for memento display
E. PLAN TO
NOTIFY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
- All
relatives
- All
friends
- Minister
and church
- Funeral
director
- Pallbearers
- Cemetery
- Doctor
- Employer
of deceased
- Employers
of relatives not going to work
- Organist,
other musicians & vocalists
- Newspapers
regarding notices
- Social
Security Administration
- Veterans
Administration
- Insurance
agents
- Religious,
fraternal, civic organizations & unions
- Attorney,
accountant, financial planner & executor of estate
- Credit
card companies
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What
steps are involved in prearrangement?
We
will explain your options and guide you in establishing your own
plans. You should find the advice of your family, clergy, and funeral
director especially helpful when considering your options. We will
record all your wishes and vital information, as well as assist
in gathering documents to keep at the funeral home.
After
deciding the details for the funeral, you can select any merchandise
you may desire for the services.
Our
funeral home can even provide you the opportunity to make selections
and set aside funds for flowers, the funeral escort to the cemetery,
custom memorial folders and acknowledgments. Many will even prepay
the opening and closing of the grave for the cemetery. At
Dinoto Funeral Home we priceguarantee OUR FEES if prepaid
in full.
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What
If I move out of town?
If you should
relocate to another city after prearranging, Dinoto Funeral Home will transfer your prearrangement sto the funeral home
of your choice.
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