Prearranging and Prefunding

Do You Split Your Time Between Florida and New Jersey? 
Are You Wondering Where to Plan Your Funeral Arrangements? 
Pre-planning your funeral in New Jersey is the only way to protect the monies that you deposit for your funeral services.

By pre-planning your funeral with Belkoff Goldstein Funeral Chapel, 100% of the monies that your deposit  will be held in a FDIC Insured Funeral Trust until its time of use. 

Belkoff Goldstein Funeral Chapel travels to cemeteries in New York, New Jersey, and Long Island, among other destinations daily. New Jersey preneed laws protect the consumer and require that 100% of the monies be held in trust. Conversely, Florida funeral homes are permitted by Florida law to use a substantial percentage of their funeral trust before services are rendered. Also, the Florida funeral home does not have to refund money collected for merchandise, such a casket and vault, even if the funeral home did not perform the services.

By placing your money in an FDIC Insured Funeral Trust with Belkoff Goldstein Funeral Chapel, 100% of your money is refundable at any time. The monies you deposit are placed into a revocable trust fund. If you are on Medicaid, it may be required that an irrevocable trust be established. In such a case, circumstances may not allow for the refund of money. However, if you move away, the funeral trust is transferable to a funeral home of your choice.
PROTECT YOURSELF!

Why plan ahead? 
Jewish funeral services often times take place within 24 hours of the loss of a loved one. Pre-planning for the funeral permits families the time needed to make decisions regarding funeral options without the emotional stress related to the loss. The act of pre-planning also allows for one to ease the burden regarding decisions and to make their personal wishes known to their family. 

How do I start? 
Starting the pre-planning process can be as easy as a phone call. Our funeral directors will lead you through the pre-arrangement process. You can rest assured that our staff of professionals is attentive to your every need. We will answer any question that you might have and will never pressure you into any decisions. 

Do I have to pre-pay? 
The most important part of the planning process is just that, planning. You will be given the option of pre-paying, paying over time, or not paying and just making your wishes known. 

What are the benefits of Pre-paying? 
Like the cost of everything, the cost of funeral services will increase over time. By pre-paying the funeral in full, the funeral home will guarantee that the family will never have to add additional funds for the funeral home's charges. You will also have the peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of and that your family will not have to worry about financial matters in their time of grief. 

Where does the money go? 
When you pre-pay funeral expenses, the monies collected will be placed into an FDIC insured trust account with the New Jersey Pre-paid Funeral Trust Fund. 100% of your money will remain in your name in the trust until the time that it is needed. The NJ Pre-Paid Funeral Trust holds money in trust for thousands of individual funeral accounts. The money is pooled and earns the best possible interest because of its size. You can open a trust account with as little as $500.00 and make payments until the funeral is fully paid. In order for the Price Guarantee to be applied, the funeral must be paid in full within two years. 

What happens if I change my mind or I move? 
When you pre-pay your funeral expenses, the monies collected will be placed into a revocable trust. You can change your mind and cancel the pre-need account and receive your money. If you move the money is fully transferable to any funeral home. If you have gone on Medicaid and the money was placed in an Irrevocable trust, the money may not be cashed out. But if you move away, the account can be transferred to funeral home in your area. 

Why should I pre-plan when applying for SSI/Medicaid? 
By pre-planning during the application process for SSI/Medicaid you will have the opportunity to plan and pay for a funeral out of your own funds, ensuring that the funeral services are to your exact wishes. If you wait until the funds are exhausted and you are relying on the Medicaid benefit to pay for your funeral, the Medicaid benefit is very limited and may not provide for the services you wish. Do I have to come to the funeral home? Our funeral directors will accommodate you, whatever the need. Basic arrangements can be done at the funeral home, by phone and mail, and yes, we even make house calls.