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Michael D. Emery, Manager and Funeral Director, Trent Cremation Services

Pre-Planning

Pre-planning your burial or cremation is an important part of estate planning. At Trent Cremation Services, our experienced staff can assist you in making these important end-of-life decisions.

The benefits of pre-planning:

  • You save your family the stress of making difficult decisions at an emotional time
  • You protect your family from the risk of emotional overspending
  • You avoid leaving your relatives with an additional financial burden
  • You have piece of mind knowing that you are prepared
  • Your service will reflect your personal wishes

By choosing Trent Cremations Services you will be supported through the entire planning process. You will begin by meeting with our Funeral Director who will:

  • outline your options
  • answer your questions
  • ensure you are making informed choices
  • document your wishes for your file
  • assist you in completing forms
  • present you with the total cost and payment plan options
  • draw up an agreement with you
  • provide you with information to present to your family and/or executor(s)

Payment Options

When you prearrange your cremation or burial service a contractual agreement is drawn up that will require your signature as well as the signature of a Trent Cremation Services designate. The contract will clearly outline the terms, services, products, disbursements and taxes. After the agreement is signed you can choose from several payment options.

  • You may decide to pay at a later date. This means that the balance is paid by your estate or next of kin
  • You may decide to pre-pay the total sum
  • You could also decide to set up a monthly payment schedule with a pre-authorized payment plan. Depending on the plan you choose, you could have up to 10 years to pay

If you decide to pre-pay, the principle and accrued interest remain on deposit in your name until the time of death. Your preplanned, pre-paid arrangements are guaranteed as long as your plan remains with Trent Cremation Services Inc.

Investment Vehicles

If you decide to pre-pay you can select one of two options; trusting or group insurance products offered through Guaranteed Funeral Deposits of Canada (Fraternal) (GFD). With either option your funds are guaranteed and secure with GFD.

Trusting: This method has been used for years to fund prearranged contracts. It is simple and offers flexible payment options. Funds are invested in individual accounts in the beneficiary's name. The principal and all interest remain on deposit until the time of death. The interest will then be used to cover any increases in the costs of the plan. Excess funds will be returned to the estate; however, interest in excess of $50.00 is taxable.

Insurance Products: The Guaranteed Funeral Plan (GFP) and the Growth Funeral Plan Annuity (GFPA) are insurance products that have been specifically designed by Guaranteed Funeral Deposits of Canada (Fraternal) and are underwritten by Assurant Life of Canada. These products offer enhanced benefits including:

  • joint spousal coverage, where the benefit is payable once, on a first-to-die basis
  • tax free growth within your death benefit
  • the ability to use any growth in your death benefit to cover any increased costs for the products and services you have selected
  • funds, not needed to cover the increased cost of your service, will be refunded to your estate. These funds are not taxed
  • access to the Worldwide Travel Plan at initial application. This travel plan covers all transportation arrangements if death should occur while out of the country or just 100 kilometers out of town. The plan also provides transportation home for a traveling companion. If traveling alone, the plan will cover reasonable travel expenses for your next of kin to accompany you back home.

Cancellation: You have the option of canceling or changing your plan at any time. If you cancel a GFPA your premiums and any applicable interest are fully refundable. Accumulated interest may then become taxable. If you cancel a GFP within 30 days of receiving your certificate, or anytime if you paid with a single premium, notify us of the intended cancellation and your premium will be fully refunded.