Questions & Answers
| Q: | How do I preplan a funeral? |
| Schmidt-Schulta offers two ways to preplan a funeral. The first is to contact the funeral home to set up an appointment to discuss the options that are available. The other is to preplan using our website. Either way you can give them biographical information that will help to assist your family with obituary information and some choose to select their casket, outer burial container, monument, flowers and even the registry book and verse. You can do as much planning as you like or you can just go to get information. The choice is up to you. | |
| Q: |
How do I set money aside for my funeral? |
| In the State of Wisconsin there are a few different ways to set money aside for your funeral. The first step is to contact your funeral home of choice and preplan your funeral so that you have a dollar amount to work with. Most funeral homes have three different options to set up funeral trusts. The first option that is available is to have the money set aside at a banking institution in a certificate of deposit. Another option is the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Master Trust. The third option is to purchase a whole life insurance policy. | |
| Q: |
Do you sell monuments? |
| Schmidt-Schulta has been a sales representative for Appleton Marble & Granite Works for over 15 years. Appleton Marble & Granite Works is a reputable monument company out of Appleton and has been in business since 1916. There are many different types of granite available as well as designs. To find something suitable for you, call us at 449-2688 or 253-2713 to set up a time to discuss your monument needs. | |
| Q: |
My parent(s) have to move to a nursing home, when should I set money aside for their funeral? |
| The State of Wisconsin allows you to set money aside for a funeral. This can and should be done as soon as possible. Nursing homes are a wonderful alternative if you are unable to care for yourself. However, the costs can accumulate quickly. Once your funds are used up, usually the State of Wisconsin will help cover your costs at a nursing home. Unfortunately, that is where their help will end. The State of Wisconsin will not pay for your funeral. If there is no money set aside, this responsibility would fall to your family. | |
| Q: |
How do I know if my parent(s) have a funeral trust already set up? |
| The first thing to do is ask them. If they are unable to discuss this matter with you then phone the funeral home. Explain the situation and ask to set up a time to meet with them. You should bring any power of attorney papers that you have so that you can find out the information that you need. | |
| Q: |
I have an existing life insurance policy that I planned on using for my funeral expenses. Is it protected should I need to go into a nursing home? |
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When using an existing life insurance policy you want to make sure that it will be used for your funeral. One way to do this is to assign the benefits to the funeral home. Upon death the funeral home will file a claim and any excess benefits would then be paid to the listed beneficiary.
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| Q: | In what kind of container are the cremated remains returned, do I have to purchase an urn? |
| You are not required to purchase an urn. Many families choose urns to place their loved one’s cremated remains in for memorial services or that will be interred in a cemetery, and some choose to keep the urn at their home. If you do not wish to purchase an urn, the cremated remains will be returned in a sealed plastic bag that is placed in a temporary plastic holding container. | |
| Q: | What happens to the excess money in the funeral trust? |
| Any monies left over in a funeral trust are paid back to the deceased estate. If the State of Wisconsin had been covering expenses in a nursing home, the monies may need to be paid to the Estate Recovery Program that the state has. This is not always the case. | |
| Q: | Can I set money aside without selecting items? |
| Yes you can. Although walking thru what a funeral would cost is very beneficial we can certainly set funds aside for the use of your funeral. | |
| Q: | If I set money aside today, will it be enough to cover a funeral in 10 years? |
| Although we try our best to keep costs low, sometimes there are things beyond our control. With everything, costs increase thru the years. Regardless of which option you choose to set your funeral funds aside, interest will be gained. Sometimes the interest earned is not enough to keep up with the cost increases. It is always a good idea to check with the funeral home to be sure that enough money is set aside. | |
| Q: | How can I be sure the money that I set aside will be there for my funeral? |
| Most funeral homes will draw up an Irrevocable Funeral Trust form. What this states is that, for the most part, your money is in there for the long haul. No one can touch that money. Interest will accumulate and will help your money to grow. You maintain the right to transfer your funeral trust to any other funeral home or transfer your funds from one financial institution to another. | |
| Q: | My parents set money aside several years ago and said everything was all taken care of. How can I be sure? |
| Many times people come into the funeral home and set funds aside. But often times, they do not select items and work thru what a funeral would cost. This doesn’t mean that their money isn’t set aside. All it means is that they may not have enough available at the time of need. The best thing to do is contact the funeral home and find out how much planning your parents have done. Bring them along with you if they are able to attend and if not, don’t forget to bring along any documentation that you have that will assist them such as any power of attorney papers and the funeral trust if you have it. | |
| Q: | What is the average cost of a funeral? |
| Funerals can vary in cost depending on the selections that are made. The average funeral that we see in our funeral home is around $8000. Keep in mind that these are the funeral homes charges only and do not include the cash advanced items. There are funerals that are less expensive just as there are funerals that are more expensive. The cash advanced items are fees that are associated with a funeral that we usually pay on behalf of the family such as obituaries, luncheons, grave opening and flowers. These fees average around $1500. | |
| Q: | Should children attend the visitation and funeral of a loved one? |
| With proper supervision, many times this can be a valuable experience for them. Please understand that it is still difficult. It can be at any age. Everyone handles death in different ways. Studies have shown that many families start the healing process during the visitation period. The gathering of loved ones and friends can be a powerful healer. But, as with any public place, children should be supervised by an adult at all times. Most often, if there is going to be a long visitation, many families bring their little ones for an hour and then arrange for child care. This way they are able to visit with friends and family without having to worry about where their child is. | |
| Q: | I would like to be cremated, can I sign my own cremation authorization? |
| The cremation authorization is something that is signed after you pass away. In the State of Wisconsin, you can designate a specific person to carry out your wishes by filling out the Authorization for Final Disposition form (Wis Statute 154.3). If this is not done, the responsibility to sign the cremation authorization form would fall to your next of kin. It is always best to have your wishes in writing at the funeral home and to let your family know what your final wishes are. Call us today to set up your prearrangement time which could include filling out the Authorization for Final Disposition form. | |
| Q: | I live in the area but will be buried in my home city two hours away. Can you provide a funeral service in both cities? |
| Whether it's a half hour away or at the Wisconsin border, our staff can provide a funeral service any where throughout the State of Wisconsin. |
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| Q: | Is your funeral home family owned and operated? |
| Schmidt-Schulta was founded by David A. Schmidt & the late Michael Schulta. They purchased Schmidt Funeral Home, Wittenberg from David’s father, Roger Schmidt, and Kopitzke Funeral Home, Birnamwood. In 2006, David A. Schmidt semi-retired leaving his children, Benji and Andrea and their families to carry on the family business. | |
| Q: | Do cremated remains have to be buried in a cemetery? |
| Cremated remains do not have to be buried by state law. The State of Wisconsin views the cremation process as the final disposition. Many families choose to bury the cremains while others choose to keep them. It is always a good idea to discuss your final wishes with your family. Call us today to set up your prearrangement session. | |
| Q: | What happens should I die in another state? |
| Your family should contact the funeral home in your home state that will be handling your funeral arrangements. They will make all the necessary contacts and arrangements that will need to be done. | |
| Q: | If I assign my existing life insurance policy to the funeral home, does the death benefit grow? |
| You should contact your life insurance company or agent to find out specifically what will happen to your insurance policy. Depending on the type of policy, the death benefit may stay the same or it may grow. Only your insurance company will be able to let you know for sure. Call us today to make pre-arrangements and to discuss what funding option is best for you. | |
| Q: | I have my funeral trust set up at a funeral home I do not wish to use. How do I transfer it to another funeral home? |
| Often times circumstances change and funeral trusts need to be transferred. What we recommend is that you create a letter stating your wish to transfer your funeral trust to the named funeral home. Also request that any prearranged information is also sent with the funeral trust. This letter should be sent to both funeral homes as well as the banking facility that holds the funeral trust. Please contact us should you need any assistance. | |
| Q: | In my will I state my funeral wishes and the person in charge. It is in my safety deposit box. Will my family know what to do? |
| Most often, the will is not looked at until after the funeral. You’ve done some of the work already. I would contact your funeral home of choice and set up a time to make prearrangements. This way they will have the information your family will need at the time of your death. Call us today to make that appointment. | |