This site will guide you through the process of creating a prepaid funeral plan that will protect your loved ones from financial worry and doubt during a time of loss. Here’s how to get started:

https://plan.passare.com/preplan/ChismSmith/Preneed

1. Review available service packages and select the one you like most. Please note, items cannot be removed from packages.

2. Add any items you'd like to include in your service that aren’t part of the basic package.

3. Create an account and provide required information and signatures.

4. Choose your payment method and amount. 

Prepaid funeral plans are underwritten by Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company, rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. If you have any funeral-related questions, please contact the funeral provider. If you have any technical support questions, please contact the Help Center at Funeral Directors Life.

We are constantly reminded to make plans to assure the well-being of our families if something should happen to us. Chances are, you have already made out your will, taken out life insurance, and done many other things to make sure your property and financial estate are preserved for those you love. However, consider the emotional estate you leave to them. Planning your funeral in advance not only gives you control of how you are remembered, it also allows you to consider the feelings and expectations of your family with regard to your funeral arrangements. It eases the burden on your family of having to make decisions at the time of your death. The more you plan ahead for this inevitable need, the greater the sense of peace that you and your family will experience.

That's why we urge you to consider advance planning. At Chism-Smith Funeral Home, it costs nothing for you to investigate the option. You're never under any pressure or obligation to purchase anything. And, we'll be happy to help you start the process, any time you're ready.

The first step in advance planning is one that only you can do. Begin by gathering all documents or information regarding programs that may entitle you to specific burial or other related expenses. Once you have these, we can help you organize them, find out what benefits you can expect, and discuss what is not covered, so you can make your decisions accordingly.

For example, what will Social Security or other programs pay? Usually, the maximum benefit is only a few hundred dollars, reimbursed after the funeral services are concluded. This is not enough to cover even a basic burial space, let alone the funeral service and related expenses.

If you are a veteran, there may be other benefits to which you are entitled. The government may provide a number of burial benefits, ranging from a simple flag to be draped on the casket to a grave site and marker in a national cemetery. However, you must be eligible, your family or the funeral home must apply for benefits as reimbursements after the service has been paid for, and most funeral costs (embalming, casket, and so on) are not included.

In any case, the staff at Chism-Smith Funeral Home can help you find out exactly what you are entitled to, so you don't make arrangements for less than you need or more than you want. We want to make sure all your preparations are in order. That your final wishes and those of your family will be honored. And that you or your family won't be surprised with unexpected or unnecessary expenses.

It's never easy to talk about death - especially your own. But advance planning now lets you make decisions based on calm study of your options, not on pressing need. It also provides an opportunity for open discussion with your family, the people who will be most affected by the type of funeral or memorial service you choose. In fact, many people find this kind of planning to be a positive and empowering experience for the whole family. You can start by checking out information you'll find at the Chism-Smith Funeral Home website. Or, visit in person or by phone with one of the Chism-Smith Funeral Home staff. We can take you through the planning process, step by step, explaining all the options available to you. At this point, you can make arrangements yourself, or involve your family. It's all up to you. We're simply here to help.

Planning a funeral when a death has just occurred can be a tremendous emotional burden on your family. It can be a financial burden as well. Experience shows that people undergoing grief can make arrangements without fully realizing the impact that the costs will have on their savings and budgets. By making your own decisions today, you protect your family from agonizing over details, making guesses about what you would want, and worrying about how they're going to pay for everything. In short, you make it possible for them to concentrate more fully on supporting each other during this time of grief and loss.

Preparing for a funeral can involve making many detail-oriented decisions:

• Does your family know where you want to be buried?
• Where would you like you service to be held?
• Who would you like to officiate your service?
• If you prefer to be cremated, do you want your ashes to be scattered, inurned, or buried in a particular place?
• Do you wish to be buried wearing certain clothing, jewelry or other items of special significance to you?
• Do you want special religious or fraternal rites to be performed?
• Do you want a particular piece of music to be played?
• What do you want your obituary or eulogy to highlight about your life?

Make these choices now and you can be assured that your wishes will be fulfilled later, and that your memorial will be conducted the way you wish.

Once you've determined some of the details of the funeral and service, our staff can accurately calculate costs and you can make further adjustments as needed. But such choices aren't the only way you can keep funeral expenses down. You may well find today's prices surprisingly modest compared to what you expected, but costs are almost sure to rise. Over the past 10 years, funeral costs have nearly doubled. That's why you should also look carefully at the variety of payment plans and options that are available. In essence, you can pay for tomorrow's need at today's lower costs.

To get started, or simply to get more information, don't hesitate to call us. For assistance please call (972)259-7644. You can also take the time to fill out the form below. We will receive the information you provide us, and file it for you. This way, if something does happen to you, we have instructions regarding your wishes.

For more information concerning prepaid funerals go to

www.prepaidfunerals.texas.gov