When pre-planning a funeral, all of your thoughts and wishes are planned for. Your family will know what you want, and not what they think you want. At the Cornerstone Funeral Services and Cremation, we'll help you put it in writing. Writing it down will help avoid family disputes, or involvement by others that may not know what your wishes are. Your loved ones won't question: "Did we do the right thing? Did we forget anything? Is this what she/he wanted? Did we spend too much?" All that is eliminated because you put it in writing.

Pre-planning is the first step; this step allows us to gather your vital information and decisions. We will then file this information until the time comes for when it is needed. Many people are considering ways to fund their funeral. If you would choose to do this also, this step will actually allow you to set money aside to be used for your funeral expenses. There are a few ways to approach putting money aside for funeral expenses, so our trained licensed funeral directors can explain all of them to you. Pre-planning along with pre-funding work together because they offer peace of mind. Your survivors will not be burdened with decisions regarding your funeral.

Applying for Medicaid?

Some families may have a parent or other family member that requires long-term nursing home care. For Medicaid applicants, pre-funding allows for protection from high Nursing Home Costs. Unlike other investments (including cash value of traditional life insurance) that you own, the dollars you place into a correctly structured final expense plan will not count as an asset if you enter a nursing home. The full cost of your funeral can be protected using a pre-paid Medicaid trust account.

Cornerstone specializes in assisting families with all Medicaid required Pre-Paid Funeral Arrangements. Our funeral directors are experienced to personally assist you with all County, State and Federal SSI/Social Security rules and regulations. We routinely work directly with families and the Department of Social Services caseworkers to ensure proper Medicaid funeral approval. New York State requires all contracts for Medicaid applicants or recipients have their funds placed in an Irrevocable Trust.

Why do People Pre-Plan?

Since 1960, the number of pre-planned funerals has increased by 1000%. Why such a dramatic increase in Pre-Planned Funerals?

Because Pre-Planning Guarantees:

• Your wishes will be fulfilled.
• You will spare your loved ones any unnecessary financial burden.
• Your funds are 100% protected in FDIC insured accounts.

Pre-planning your own funeral makes sense because it allows you to take full control of your funeral right now. You can save your loved ones the trauma of making difficult decisions without knowing exactly what you would have wanted.

Pre-planning allows you to confer with your loved ones and make your plans together, thus resolving your most personal matters with a clear mind, in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. In return, you will save the people you care about most from the emotional turmoil and burdensome decisions that an unplanned funeral can often bring.

When you pre-arrange and pre-pay, you can be assured that definite arrangements have been made and no other financial decisions need to be faced. Your funds are held in your name, in a federally insured banking instrument designed solely for providing the funeral you have chosen at the time of need. Reimbursement of all principal and interest can be done by simple written verification to our firm.

Can Pre-Paid Funeral Arrangements Be Transferred?

Absolutely. In fact, you can transfer to Cornerstone any pre-paid funeral services that you may have previously made at another funeral firm. We will assist you in completing all necessary paperwork to complete the proper transfer.

Getting Started:

You can take the first steps of pre-arranging by contacting Cornerstone's licensed director, who will arrange a no obligation consultation that is cost-free.