I just recently put dad in a nursing home and have since signed the admission papers to have his SS signed over to nursing home. While it takes about 2-3 months, I have my name on his checking account and want to use the remainder of his SS (before it goes over to the nursing home) for a trust fund for his cremation and burial (about $2000). Am I allowed to do this with his remainder of SS? The nursing home and his case manager for medicaid is telling me that that money should go to the nursing home for his care but I know according to medicaid, you are allowed to have a trust fund set aside that is not counted.
An advantage of purchasing services and plots before the time of need i.e Pre-arranging" is that you are locking in today's costs. For example, I am working with an 80 year old woman who purchased her space in 1978 and the complete cost for her space was $983 which covered her space, vault, opening & closing, flower vase, marker, marker installation. Her family will only be responsible for taxes at the time of need for her vault and flower vase. She, the 80 year old client, laughingly said she should have paid for her funeral as well which at the time her husband passed was just over $900 which included his casket. The same funeral is costing her just over $7,200 today!
Another benefit to Pre-arrange is the POSSIBILTY of financing. Again, I don't know your state's laws or the funeral home you are going to choose but it is worth looking into for your family and yourself and loved ones.
Hope this helps and wishing your loved one health. How fortunate your Dad has such a loving and thoughtful daughter.
Good luck!
-SS