At the Gundel Funeral Home, Inc., we realize that pre-planning a funeral is not an easy topic to discuss. Our licensed funeral directors are experienced in assisting individuals and families with planning a funeral before the need arises. We take our time and listen to you so that the process is made as easy as possible. Please feel free to contact us at the address listed on our home page or at info@gundelfuneralhome.com to see if pre-planning a funeral is something that is right for you.

There are many advantages to pre-arranging a funeral. For some, it is easier to make arrangements in an atmosphere that is not charged with the grief and trauma that occurs at the time of death. Making arrangements ahead of time can help to relieve some of the emotional stress of dealing with the loss of a loved one. Prearranging a funeral also allows you to make decisions about the type of service that you want. Knowing that a funeral reflects the wishes of a loved one can be a source of comfort for families and friends.

You can pre-arrange as much or as little as you want to. There are three basic levels of funeral pre-planning:

1. The first level is simply recording personal information that we will keep in a confidential file here at our facility. In addition to basic information about yourself, you might want to record any preferences you have for the funeral service, such as location or people to be involved in the service.
2. The second level involves the selection of specific services and merchandise. This may include selecting the type of service (for example, a funeral service with a public viewing, cremation or other types of services) and the merchandise involved, from caskets and cremation containers to register books and memorial folders.
3. The third level involves funding the pre-arrangements. This can be done all at once, or payments can be made over time. With pre-funding, the funeral is paid for at current prices, which reduces future financial responsibility for you and your family. We participate in the SecurChoice funeral trust program where the money is set aside and reserved for your funeral expenses. You can also purchase an insurance policy that is specially designed to provide benefits for funeral expenses.

We participate in the SecurChoice funeral trust program that is administered by the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association. With SecurChoice, funerals can be prepaid using a funeral trust or an insurance policy. An irrevocable funeral trust guarantees that your money cannot be withdrawn for any purpose other than your funeral expenses. The interest earned on the account is used to offset future price increases. You can also purchase an insurance policy that is specifically designed to provide benefits for funeral expenses. Our funeral directors are experienced in setting up both types of pre-funding arrangements.

There are a few things to remember when making pre-arrangements. Be cautious about unsolicited phone calls that you may receive about making pre-arrangements or purchasing merchandise such as caskets or vaults. You should never feel pressured to make a quick decision. If you are not sure about what the caller wants to sell you, please take the time to call us. The cost of merchandise from third party sellers may be substantially higher than the cost of similar merchandise that can be purchased from an independent funeral home. At the Gundel Funeral Home, Inc, there is never any pressure to purchase merchandise and we do not make unsolicited phone calls. Please note that in Pennsylvania, only licensed funeral directors can sell funeral services (laws in other states may vary).