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Discussing end-of-life issues can be an emotional experience. Making decisions upon the death of a loved one can be challenging, especially if the wishes of the deceased are murky or unknown. Funeral trusts often help families avoid making decisions at times when their emotions may make such decisions more difficult. What is preplanning a funeral? Preplanning a funeral can save family and friends from having to make difficult decisions. It also en- ables people to choose their burial space, services and transportation. Preplanning also allows people to pay for or arrange payment for their funeral costs ahead of time. Accord - ing to Consumer Protection Ontar- io, a person can pre-plan a funeral without prepaying. However, many people prefer to have all financial components in place as well for max - imum convenience. What is a funeral trust? Funeral trust can be a smart invest- ment for people who have not spelled out their wishes in a will or conveyed them in writing to someone who will be managing their estate. Funeral trusts may be referred to as revocable or irrevocable. An irre - vocable funeral trust, or IFT, is a tool people who are facing the high cost of skilled nursing care can consider. An IFT establishes an account into which money for funeral expenses is depos - ited. The money cannot be withdrawn or refunded, and funds must be used for funeral expenses. In the United States, an IFT is often considered an eligible expense during the social services spend-down pro - cess. That means the money deposited in the trust is exempt as a countable asset from any financial look-back pe- riod that helps determine eligibility for government healthcare services, such as Medicaid. Revocable funeral trusts can be can - celed. According to the National Care Planning Council, a revocable trust can be created by anyone and, at a later date, can be dissolved by the person who originally created it. Various organizations oversee the in - vestment and management of prepaid funeral trust accounts. When is a trust unnecessary? In certain instances, a funeral trust will not be needed. Those who have the means to fund long-term care services and will not need assistance later in life may not want their money locked up in a trust. Others opt for life insurance policies to pay for funeral needs. Assistance with funeral trusts Funeral homes may work directly with companies that manage funeral funds. Speak with a funeral director if you want to learn more about trusts. Trusts also can be established by work - ing with an elder care attorney or with a funeral trust agency. UNWIND PAIN • RESTORE ENERGY EXPLORE A NEW WAY TO FEEL Bowen Works. Therapeutic Bodywork Stevie Stevens, LMT, PBP 479-268-8838 Bella Vista StevieStevens.com B Y A P P O I N T M E N T O N L Y 670 Rogers Road • Bella Vista, AR 72715 • 479-876-1847 We Accept: Medicare, Medicaid, Managed Care, Private Pay, Hospice • Outpatient Therapy & In-House Therapy • Licensed Nursing Staff 24 Hours a Day • Skilled Nursing • Long Term Care • Respite Care • Post-Hospital & Post-Surgical Care • Specialty Wound Care • Intravenous (IV) Therapy • Pain Management • Diabetic Management • Facility & Community Activities • Admission/Discharge Planning • Community Re-Entry Program A 5-Star Facility ★★★★★ www.TEASLEYDRUG.com "We are here to serve you by enhancing quality of life, providing personal education, quality products and individual service" 205 Atlanta St. SE • Gravette 787-5966 Open Weekdays 8-6 • Sat. 8-1 For over 30 years, we've been your neighborhood drugstore proudly serving the tri-state area. As a pharmacy fi rst and foremost, our mission is to maximize your experience through a superior level of care and quality products at a reasonable price. Drive-Thru • Immunizations • Unique Gifts & Decor Free Delivery • Diabetic Shoppe • Medical Equipment Senior Health Fair 10C F Wednesday, September 13, 2017 The Weekly Vista Navigating the waters of funeral trusts Metro Creative Taking care of funeral planning in advance can relieve families of the stress of making funeral decisions in the wake of a loved one's death.