Pre-Planning

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General Questions

Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions asked about prearrangements. Should you need further information, do not hesitate to call or email.

How do I get started?

We invite you to call us personally to get the Pre-need process started. We will decide on a convenient time to meet and review your various possibilities. You may also request a basic packet of information by email or regular post. Let us know how we can help serve you.

What if I move somewhere else?

People do move more often these days and this question comes up more often. Any pre-arrangement organized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is your prearrangement and should remain portable to any other place in the country. In particular, Pre-need insurance will pay a claim to whichever funeral home provides the services anywhere in the country. Trust accounts, because they are partially administered through the funeral home, fall under slightly different rules, though you should always have the right to transfer funds to another funeral home as you see fit.

Keep in mind that once you have qualified for Medicaid benefits, transfers must occur properly. If such transfers are handled improperly your Medicaid eligibility can be interrupted. Please contact us regarding any special handling if you are in this situation.

What if the funeral home changes hands or closes?

Many people ask this question. We have always provided the same answer, "With Hathaway Family Funeral Homes your money remains safe and independent of the funeral home itself." We have always used third parties to oversee and manage Pre-need funds. Your Pre-need money will always remain independent of any changes that may occur with the funeral home.

Will my prearrangements qualify under Medicaid?

The most common reason for starting a Pre-arranged funeral relates to Medicaid eligibility. As an individual begins to receive nursing home or other government sponsored long-term care, it often becomes necessary to "spend down" a person's resources below a mandated amount (usually $2,000.00). Both our trust and our insurance products will qualify for the Medicaid exemption if completed properly. Make sure you notify your funeral director of the "spend down" situation so that he or she may fill out the proper forms and documentation. (See "What does irrevocable mean?" below.)

What does irrevocable mean?

In order to qualify for Medicaid benefits, a pre-arrangement must have the "irrevocable" option checked. From a legal standpoint, this means that any money placed in a pre-need fund may not be withdrawn for any reason, except to pay for the actual funeral at time of death.

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