<p>In the last few blogs we&rsquo;ve focused on the sentimental reasons to preplan your funeral. There are also very pragmatic, practical reasons to make all the arrangements yourself. This week&rsquo;s blog will review some of these reasons. <br /><br /> FINANCIAL REASONS <br /><br />When you preplan and prepay for a funeral you lock in today&rsquo;s price for the goods and services. <br /><br />The price of funerals has skyrocketed over the last few decades and locking in the price makes financial sense. <br /><br />Between 2004 and 2014 the median cost of a funeral rose 28.6 percent. <br /><br />In the state of New York, all wills go through probate court and this can delay distribution of funds for an unreasonable amount of time. <br /><br />By prepaying, you are taking care of things so that a family member doesn&rsquo;t have to put themselves in financial straights to pay for things after your death. <br /><br />Another benefit is that paying for your own funeral naturally limits your estate and therefore the estate taxes your beneficiaries will have to pay. <br /><br />PAPERWORK IN ORDER <br /><br />Pre-planning your funeral gives you the chance to put your papers in order. <br /><br />Many people die leaving their paperwork a maze for family members to find their way through during an already stressful time. <br /><br />Another benefit is that paying for your own funeral naturally limits your estate and therefore the estate taxes your beneficiaries will have to pay. <br /><br />The best thing to do is to have your preplanned funeral paperwork filed at a funeral home and at a lawyer&rsquo;s office along with your other legal documents. <br /><br />If you have any questions about preplanning a funeral, talk to one of Harmony Funeral Home&rsquo;s experienced and compassionate funeral directors.</p>