SEPTEMBER 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 57
BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
MARTIN A. GLEASON FUNERAL HOMES
PUTTING FUNERAL STRESS TO REST
Many people find planning for after they’re
gone, such as making a will, to be too
uncomfortable to discuss, but experts say
that pre-planning a funeral is a gift that avoids
stressing out loved ones. John Golden,
owner and chief executive officer of Martin
A. Gleason Funeral Homes in Whitestone,
Bayside, and Flushing, shared with us what
a pre-planned funeral can do for you.
What is a pre-planned funeral? There
are two kinds of funerals: Pre-planned
and at-need funerals. Pre-planned, also
known as pre-need funerals, are funeral
plans that are made for people who are
still alive. Funeral homes, cemeteries, and
other such companies offer pre-planning
services for individuals, their spouses, or
parents. There are also online options to
make it even easier. In at-need funerals,
the deceased’s family members make the
final arrangements immediately following
the person’s time of death.
How does a pre-planned funeral help
a family? Pre-planning is a thoughtful
decision that helps reduce the stress
when we lose a loved one. A carefully preplanned
service can give your family and
friends lasting peace of mind, knowing that
they respected and followed your wishes.
By contrast, planning a funeral at the lastsecond,
while grieving, forces surviving
loved ones to make difficult financial
decisions at an emotionally charged time.
Why plan ahead? A few reasons.
1.Security. New York State law requires
that 100 percent of your pre-paid funeral
money be deposited in a special trust
fund. All accounts are fully insured by
the FDIC. 2.Comfort. You can make your
prearrangements at the funeral home or at
your house or apartment. Yes, we do make
home calls! You can make your decisions
calmly and with no rush to decide. Three:
Flexibility. If you move to another state
and you don’t want to come back to New
York, you can receive your money back,
plus accumulated interest. If you are in
another state or country and pass away
and wish to come back to New York,
call Gleason’s first and we can arrange
everything for you. Four: Consistency. Our
funeral directors that make funeral prearrangements
at Gleason’s are the same
funeral directors who will be there when
the death occurs.
Photo credit: Getty Images
What do family’s value most about the
services you provide? It is very important
for a family to have someone on hand who
would be there at the time of need. All
of our directors at Gleason funeral homes
have years of experience and training and
are available seven days a week.
Does pre-planning cost extra? There is
no charge to make pre-arrangements. And,
of course, saving your loved ones from the
difficult process of planning a funeral on
short notice is invaluable.
Is there anything else you want to add?
Save your family from these difficult decisions
by pre-arranging the funeral. As I have been
told many times by numerous families, having
pre-arrangements has made a difficult time a
little easier. Giving advanced notice ensures
that your final wishes will be followed, it
also allows for a meaningful ceremony that
provides the proper closure.
Martin A. Gleason Funeral Homes are
conveniently located in Whitestone,
Bayside and Flushing. Call 718-359-6300
so we may assist you in your pre-planning
or designing a service.
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