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STATE & FUNERAL Planning

Pre-planned funerals offer peace of mind to families

By Ellouise Thompson

WELLINGTON COUNTY

– Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences, and navigating the aftermath can often be an overwhelming time filled with uncertainty.

Funeral planning and making decisions for a lost loved one presents a unique challenge, however there are options available to eliminate that stress, including pre-planned funerals.

“We’re seeing more and more people every year do it,” said Dean Brombal, president and managing director of Brombal Funeral Home and Cremation Care in Guelph.

“I think it’s really an essential part of estate planning.”

Pre-planned funerals, which have been steadily gaining traction over the past few years, aim to accommodate all funeral styles and requests.

“We’re able to assist families in any type of wish that they would need,” said Brombal. “From very, very elaborate to the most

simple, and everything in between ... it’s all based on what a family’s wishes can be. Sometimes it’s faith driven. Other times it’s more of a celebratory thing, sometimes it’s a minimalist approach.”

Brombal told the Advertiser that pre-planning one’s funeral can grant more “peace of mind” to those surviving the deceased.

“Pre-planning allows you to leave a blueprint that your survivors can act upon, and they know that these were your instructions,” he said.

“That provides them with a lot of comfort in your absence.”

Pre-planned funerals can also be paid for in advance.

“Anything that is prepaid on our contract is then guaranteed in full and guaranteed that it will never cost you another penny,” said Brombal.

In the event there is a shortfall at the time of the funeral, Brombal said his funeral home covers the costs, and if there is an excess that has been paid, the remainder is refunded

to the estate of the deceased.

“It’s a really, really wonderful gift to leave your survivors,” said Brombal.

Changes to a pre-planned service can be made, Brombal said, adding he encourages people to update their arrangements regularly, so the service remains a reflection of their current wishes.

“Make sure that it is a current reflection of your wishes. If you do wish to make changes at any time ... we encourage you to ... update things there and make it relevant,” said Brombal.

“Because again, if you don’t update it, then it really loses what I had mentioned before, about leaving that blueprint, that these were your wishes.”

According to Brombal, there is no age requirement or limit to how far in advance one can start the planning process.

For those interested in pre-planning a funeral, the first step is reaching out to the funeral home of your choice and scheduling an inperson consultation.

It is here that the details are discussed and the plan is set into motion.

“When a death occurs and things are not planned,

... you’re now thrust into making a lot of very consequential decisions,” said Brombal.

“We’re all individuals. I think our funerals should reflect that ... it should reflect [the deceased’s] wishes and also meet the needs of the survivors.”

Why Am I Planning Now?

By Ellouise Thompson

WELLINGTON COUNTY

– Writing a will is one of the most important steps in ensuring your wishes are honoured after you’re gone. While some may avoid the topic due to its associa-

tion with death, the document is essential when it comes to providing peace of mind to loved ones.

Is a lawyer necessary?

“There are a number of will software, I think, now, that people can purchase to prepare their own will.

There’s will kits, and then there is something called a holograph will,” said Arthur-based lawyer Angela Alaimo.

“You have to be very careful when you’re doing any of those to follow instructions in terms of how you word things. A misplaced comma or vague language can cause unintended consequences.”

Despite the plethora of options, Alaimo told the Advertiser she still recommends getting a lawyer, as online options lack the proper guidance and attention to detail.

“You have to be very careful in terms of how it’s designed, because some people think that when they do the will kit, and they’re printing in on their own handwriting, that becomes a holograph will, and then they don’t get witnesses, and then that will invalidate the will,” said Alaimo.

“If the will is invalidated, then you’re in a situation where ... no one has been appointed to look after your state administration.

“There’s no executor SEE WILL WRITING » 19

Will writing 101

appointed at that point, and then someone from a designated class ... would have the standing to apply to the court to become appointed, but there are extra requirements, like posting a bond of security and that sort of thing.

“So it’s a much more expensive process than if the person would have done a will through a lawyer in the first place.”

In other words, a lawyer is not necessary, but a lawyer should likely be consulted at some point to confirm everything and correct any mistakes.

What should be included in a will?

The first thing that should be done is for the author of the will to include all personal information such as current address, date of birth and name, to ensure there is no confusion about the identity of the author.

One must also appoint an executor, this person will be responsible for managing the deceased’s estate and ensuring that all wishes are fulfilled and all legal matters are handled.

“You have to have someone appointed to do the administration of the estate,” said Alaimo.

“It should be someone that has a strong ability to deal with professionals like real estate agents, accountants and lawyers so that they can navigate the administration process.”

One must also outline the beneficiaries of the will.

“You have to set out who the beneficiaries of your estate are, and if they’re children, you might want to put guardians for them and the age that the children should be before they inherit,” said Alaimo.

Finally, the will should outline all assets and to whom they shall be passed.

“That’s where seeing a lawyer and discussing your assets are helpful,” said Alaimo.

“A lot of people don’t realize that if they have an RESP (registered education savings plan) for their children, that has to be mentioned in the will.

“A lot of people aren’t aware that they can help protect their children in receiving their inheritance by putting clauses in their will that protect the children as they separate in the future.”

Making changes or updating a will Changes or updates to a will are encouraged.

As financial circumstances change and life events happen, Alaimo says it is important to keep one’s will up to date.

“I always recommend to my clients to review [their will] every five years or if there’s been a change in their asset base, or if any of their beneficiaries have become ill or passed away,” she said.

“They should be reaching out to have changes done, and by reviewing it every five years, they have an opportunity to ensure that if any laws have changed, the will can be updated to incorporate any additional clauses that should be incorporated because of those changes.”

However, Alaimo told the Advertiser any changes made to a will must be done properly, as to not accidentally invalidate the existing will.

“A lot of lawyers will give copies of wills to clients, and then they’ll just make a change on that copy and sign it, and that would not be a good practice,” said Alaimo.

“That would invalidate the existing will, and so you always have to be careful about making changes properly.”

According to Alaimo, any and all changes to an existing will should be made in the presence of a lawyer and should be reflected on the original copy of the will.

Lynn Whetham presents:

Making Tough Planning a Little Easier

“Smart Estate Tax Planning: Protect Your Family & Secure Your Legacy”

Planning your estate is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and preserve your wealth. Join us for an exclusive workshop where you’ll learn strategic estate tax planning techniques to minimize taxes, maximize your legacy, and ensure financial security for your family.

Lynn Whetham, CFP

Wednesday, May 21 (In-Person)

Doors open 10:45, Session 11:00 to12:00pm Harcourt Memorial United Church 87 Dean Ave, Guelph Seats are free but limited, please register.

Thursday, November 13 (In-Person)

Doors open 1:45, Session 2:00 to 3:00pm Rockmosa Community Centre, 110 Rockmosa Dr., Rockwood Seats are free but limited, please register. Kindly sponsored by Guelph/ Eramosa Township

Wednesday, January 14 (Virtual)

Sign-in 6:45, Session 7:00 to 8:00pm

This is a session for starting the year off right and being able to include family and friends

Financial Writer, Educator, Speaker and Radio Show Host

Lynn Whetham is a trusted advisor for people who are thoughtful about their financial plans matching their values. Lynn specializes in helping individuals discover the tools and knowledge they need to maximize their financial and philanthropic opportunities. As a result, Lynn has been able to enhance the lives of people with whom she works by multiplying their impact for their families and those causes that are most meaningful to them.

Debbie Stanley presents:

“The

Top 10 Tips to Prepare YOU to be an Executor”

Tuesday, May 27 (Virtual) Sign-in 6:45, Session 7:00 to 8:00pm

In her company’s work at ETP Canada in settling estates, Debbie Stanley sees people truly overwhelmed by the requirements of the Executor role. She is kindly back to help YOU prepare for the elements of helping to finalise the estate for someone special and reminding you how to leave your own affairs in shape for your own executor.

Debbie Stanley, TEP, MTI, CEA

• Marymount Catholic Cemetery, Highway 6 North, Guelph

• St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Westmount Road, Guelph

• St. Mary Immaculate and St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Elora Road, Elora

more information, call 519-836-8814 www.thecatholiccemeteries.ca

Debbie Stanley is the CEO and Senior Estate Administrator of ETP Canada. She is also a Trust and Estate Practioner, an Estate and Trust Professional (MTI) and a Certified Executor Advisor (CEA), Debbie brings her years of accounting and estate administration to support people going through their own journey as executors.

Julie Martin-Jansen presents:

“Being

Prepared – Getting Your Documents Together”

Tuesday, November 18 (In-Person) Doors open at 10:45, Session 11:00 to 12:00pm Harcourt Memorial United Church 87 Dean Ave, Guelph Seats are free but limited, please register.

This workshop will help guide you and your family as you prepare for those “just in case” moments. From having conversations with your family and friends to getting your documents together. This is an opportunity to ask questions that you may have thought of but didn’t know who to ask, and to ensure that your family is aware of your wishes.

Julie Martin-Jansen is the Outreach Coordinator at Hospice Wellington and brings decades of experience in navigating tough conversations for individuals and families. In connecting with community members, she and her colleagues created the book, “A Guide for End-of-Life Planning & Support” to address the questions and confusion that people encountered. The book will be provided to anyone attending this session.

To register for any of these sessions, you may either use tickettailor.com/events/hospicewellington3 or scan the QR Code. Do these dates seem far off?

Don’t worry, register now and we will be happy to send you a reminder.