Pre-Planning Options

Many people plan for life events such as weddings and vacations well in advance, but many people do not plan for something that is certain to happen, their funeral.  While most people do not want to think about their own mortality, the time to pre-plan your funeral is now.  The primary advantages of pre-arranging your funeral is to relieve the burden on your loved ones in an already emotional time, and to ensure your funeral is carried out according to your wishes, eliminating the task of second-guessing what you would have wanted.  Taking the time now to arrange your funeral is one less thing your loved ones will need to worry about once you’ve passed. Pre-planning and pre-paying your funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give to your family.

Pre-Payment Options

Pre-paying your funeral reduces stress and financial burden on your loved ones after your passing.  We can co-ordinate a payment plans that suits your needs, from a single payment plan to monthly bank account withdrawals.  By pre-paying your funeral you eliminate your family second guessing on if they have spent too much or too little on your funeral.  Pre-payment also protects you and your family from inflation.  In New York State if your funeral costs less than the amount you have put aside, those funds will be refunded back to your beneficiaries or your estate.  For more information on what is required simply speak to your funeral director.  Each year thousands of people decide to pre-plan and pre-pay their funeral, these plans are designed to be flexible and can accommodate the many changes that often occur in people’s lives.

What you can do in advance…

  • Decide on Burial or Cremation and your casket or urn type.
  • Pick what type of service you want (religious, military, non-traditional)
  • Choose which funeral home to use.
  • Designate your pallbearers, pick any music or readings you want at your service.

Benefits of Pre-Planning

  • Between 70 and 75 decisions are made within the first 24-48 hours of death.  It’s difficult to think rationally while making so many decisions within days of losing someone, pre-planning gives yourself, family and friends peace of mind.  Pre-planning gives your loved ones direction of your wants and desires.
  • It’s easy. Anyone can do it, and you can change your mind at any time.

SSI and Medicaid Considerations

Federal and State laws allow funds that you have set aside into a pre-funded account to cover your funeral expenses to be excluded from eligibility evaluation.  Contracts for  a pre-funded funeral executed by Medicaid applicants or recipients must be Irrevocable.  Without Medicaid considerations, contracts are Revocable.  We will be happy to explain this process.  


Below is a form that you may print out, complete and keep in a safe place.  Along with letting someone you trust know where this information will be kept, you may also make a copy to give to the funeral home for their file. Please click here to download form.


Piddock Funeral Home, Inc.

7 North Park Street

Adams, NY  13605

315-232-4000


Name:____________________________________Age:_______Nickname:_________

Home Phone:________________Date of Death________________Time______am/pm

Place of Death:_________________________________________________________

If Facility, Date Admitted:_________________________

Doctor:_______________________________________

Social Security Number:_________________________

Date of Birth:________________Place of Birth________________________________

Served in the Armed Forces: Yes/No  Dates:__________________________________


Residence:_____________________________________________________________

Town, Village or City:________________________________County:_______________


Calling Hours: Date & Day__________________________Time:__________________

Funeral or Memorial Service:______________________________Time:____________

    Location:________________________________

    Clergy/Officiant:________________________________

Burial:_________________________________________________________________

Donations:_____________________________________________________________


Father:_________________________Mother (Maiden Name)____________________

Education:_____________________________________________________________


Marriage:___________________________________Date:_______________________

Place:__________________________________Officiant:________________________

If deceased, Spouse’s date of death:________________


Usual Occupation:______________________Type of Business:___________________

Employer:____________________________Years Employed:____________________

Retirement Date:_______________________


Military Information: Branch___________________________________Service #___________________________

Dates: Entry___________________________________Discharge:______________________________________

Medals/Honors Received:_______________________________________________________________________

Other Information:_____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

(use back for additional information)

Church & Church Organizations:_________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Hobbies:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organizations:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Memberships:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


SURVIVORS: Names, City, & State of Residency

Spouse:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Parents:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Grandparents:________________________________________________________________________________

Sons(s):_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Daughter(s):_________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

# of Grandchildren__________________# of Great Grandchildren_________________

# of Great Great Grandchildren: _____________________

Brothers:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sisters:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

# of Aunts:_______Uncles:_______Nieces:_______Nephews_______Cousins_______


Pre Deceased By:_____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Use back for additional information)

Informants Name:_______________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________

Telephone number(s)_____________________________________________________

email address:__________________________________________________________


Photo: Yes/No