1. Preplan your services by selecting your services, merchandise and events to personalize your service.  2. Specify your arrangements by way of a preneed  contract. 3. Fund your selections.

We make plans all the time for our future, our hopes and our desires.   At some point in life we all will be faced with the loss of a loved one.   The preplanning and prearrangement process gives you the opportunity to make decisions in advance with time to educate, research, consider, compare and prepare.    

Celebration of Life
Funeral Service consumers are making funeral decisions based on different values made by their previous generation. Today’s consumers have a strong commitment and appreciation for the value of funeral service.  They are seeking a meaningful service that provides a connection to their loved one and a celebration of the life that was lived.

Because funeral practices are influenced most by religion, cultural traditions and personal preferences, it is important to have a written directive indicating wishes and instruction. 

Families who preplan and prearrange have less stress than those who don’t preplan and prearrange.   Families can make decisions together then focus on supporting each other during the time of loss.

The Most Economical Approach 
The financial advantage of prearranging your service is that you can get funeral services at today’s cost.  The average funeral costs are approximately 6K according to the Funeral Directors Services Association of Greater Chicago. *

Funeral costs are projected to increase an average of 4.1% per year.  If you fully fund your preplan the funeral home will guarantee your funeral contract.  The funeral home is able to do this through interest earned or inflation guarantees offered through our Trust Partners. 

Secure Deposits
The Illinois Office of the Comptroller has regulated Funeral Service in Illinois since 1955 with the establishment of the Illinois Funeral & Burial Fund Act.  Smith & Thomas is licensed with the Illinois Office of the Comptroller and bonded for Preneed Sales.    This Act requires all preneed funds to be placed in Trust with an Illinois Bank, Trust company, Savings or Credit Union or Insurance Company.   Our Preneed Representative can help you select which option is best for you.  Payments can be single payments or selected affordable, monthly payments.  

Funeral Facts

· The average funeral cost rises about 4.1 % a year. 

·  There are three major expenses when purchasing a (traditional) funeral service:  the costs of the funeral home services, the cemetery cost and the cost of your casket.

· The average funeral cost for the month of June 2005 according to the Funeral Directors Services Association for Northern Illinois was $5,997.99.  This price included casket and services only.   This prices did not include grave opening and closing and outside burial containers.*

· The difference between preplanning and prearranging is that preplanning does not take into consideration how you will pay for your services.  Prearranging includes designating your preferences and paying for them in advance.  You can preplan without prearranging.     

Internet Resources

Smith & Thomas     www.smithandthomas.com

Illinois Office of the Comptroller  www.comptrollerconnect.ioc.state.il.us/cbt

Illinois Funeral Directors Association  www.ifda.org

Funeral Directors Services Association  www.fdsachicago.com