The days after a loved one’s death can become a blur of phone calls, paperwork and urgent expenses. Even as families struggle with loss, they must choose funeral services, coordinate with relatives and find the money to pay for arrangements.
Early memorial planning can help ease that burden, according to PhilPlans, giving families time to discuss their wishes, understand their options and prepare a realistic budget before decisions become urgent.
This All Souls’ Day, the company is encouraging Filipinos to make those conversations part of caring for the people they may one day leave behind.
A practical starting point is understanding what a funeral package actually covers. An advertised price of ₱40,000, for example, may leave families with additional bills if certain services are excluded.
PhilPlans advises families to request itemized quotations, compare package inclusions and ask which services carry separate charges. Discussing burial or cremation preferences beforehand can also help relatives make decisions with greater confidence.
According to the company, extended chapel use alone may cost an additional ₱5,000 to ₱15,000 per day, depending on the facility. Cemetery lots, interment fees, transportation and food for visitors may also fall outside the quoted package.
Actual expenses vary by provider, location, facilities and services selected, making a clear breakdown essential when setting a budget.
“Preparation can begin with a simple conversation about what a family wants and what it can reasonably afford. Understanding the available options and making arrangements ahead of time can help loved ones avoid having to make every decision at once,” said PhilPlans President and CEO Atty. Monico V. Jacob.
For families considering a pre-need arrangement, the company offers the PhilPlans Memorial Fund (PMF), which can be used toward a preferred memorial service package in the future, subject to the plan’s benefit amount and terms.
PhilPlans said it has more than 300 accredited mortuary partners nationwide, with round-the-clock assistance to help families coordinate funeral arrangements. Its PMF Plus also offers additional features, including Immediate Cash Assistance, which provides cash during the wake.
The company encourages families to review plan benefits and terms alongside their expected expenses so they can better understand what their chosen arrangement will cover.
Remembering loved ones can also be an opportunity to prepare for those who will someday make arrangements for us. A conversation today—about wishes, costs and available resources—can mean fewer uncertainties for a family already facing a difficult goodbye.
For more information, visit www.philplans.com.ph, follow PhilPlans on Facebook, or email customer-service@philplans.com.ph.
