Brochure 1 - Shea Family Funeral Homes

Four Locations:
The funeral homes in our organization, Hanson-Walbridge, Bennington and Arlington, Brewster Funeral Service, Manchester and the Covey & Allen Funeral Home,
Wilmington are committed to serving our communities
offering full service, professionalism and dedication at
each location.
Hanson-Walbridge
213 West Main St., PO Box 957
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-4329
It is our pledge that your funeral needs will be met in an
ethical and compassionate manner. Funeral Trusts are
honored, protected and insured by all federal and start
regulations.
Hanson-Walbridge
Battenkill Road
Arlington, VT 05250
(802) 375-2222
We are proud to be members of the National Selected
Morticians and support and adhere to the Code of Ethics
created and dedicated to the public interest.
Brewster Funeral Service
One Park Place, PO Box 885
Manchester Center, VT 05255
(802) 362-1500
Covey & Allen Funeral Home
Main Street
Wilmington, VT 05363
(802) 464-3782
Providing care to the communities in southern Vermont since 1884.
OUR PLEDGE SO SERVE
Locally owned and operated
by the Shea Family
www.sheafuneralhomes.com
WHAT IS PRE-PLANNING A FUNERAL?
Pre-planning is arranging the details of a
funeral service before the need arises. It
provides an opportunity for an individual
to gather important information and to
convey their wishes concerning final
arrangments. Further it is a means for
family members to talk over details and
makes plans together thus relieving some
of the resposibilities of the survivors.
WHAT IS PRE-PAYING?
Pre-paying is establishing a trust at a local
bak with your funeral home as trustee.
After reviewing your desires for services
and estimating costs at today’s prices, a
trust is then established in approximately
that amount. This fund, with interest, is
to be used only for funeral expenses. A
trust may be established without selecting
specific items, thus allowing survivors to
arrange the service details.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PREPLANNING & PRE-PAYING?
In our experience, pre-planning has
served important needs to individuals and
society. Pre-paying fixes the price at today’s
costs, and in some instances, allows you to
qualify for federal and state benefits. It is
a means for thinking about funeral plans
without the pressure of time and grief.
IS THERE A CHARGE FOR PRE-PLANNING?
No. Pre-planning is a service provided as a
part of the funeral.
DO MANY PEOPLE PRE-PLAN THEIR
FUNERALS?
HOW WILL ANYONE KNOW I HAVE MADE
PRE-ARRANGEMENTS?
Yes. More and more people are using this
method. It provides an opportunity to talk
as a family about what each feels appropriate to include in the service arrangements
and relieves the survivors of the pressure of
making immediate decisions.
Your wishes will be recorded on special forms
which will be in our office. Copies will be
provided to others whom you designate such
as family members, attorneys or clergy.
MAY I LEAVE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT A
SPECIAL REQUEST?
This is one of the more important benefits
of pre-planning. By including that request in
your plans, your funeral director can respond
immediately. A will may not be available for
reading and or action for several days after
death.
DO I HAVE TO GO TO THE FUNERAL HOME
TO MAKE PRE-ARRANGEMENTS?
Many people prefer the convenience of our
office, however you may elect to have your
funeral director call on you.
CAN I MAKE CHANGES?
Yes. We recommend that you record instructions with flexibility so those attending to
final details may make adjustments if circumstances changes.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY MONEY WHEN I
PRE-PAY?
Your money will be placed in an insured trust
with a local bank to be used only for the
funeral expenses.
WHAT ABOUT THE INTEREST EARNED ON
THIS TRUST?
All interest is added to the original trust, and
generally it is sufficient to offset the rising
costs of inflation. Should any surplus result
after funeral expenses, you may assign it to a
person, church or charity.
ARE MY FUNERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND
TRUST SECURE FOR THE FUTURE?
Yes, your funeral trust and instructions are
managed by the funeral home and bank as
permenent community institutions.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH
MONEY IN THE TRUST?
If your needs have been carefully planned
this should not happen. However, if unforeseen circumstances should occur and
more funds are needed, the items you have
selected can usually be adjusted to fit the tr
ust.
Survivors may also contribute towards the
funeral thus allowing details to remain as you
have planned.