Payment OPTIONS - Basic Payment Terms

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Payment OPTIONS SubPage - Basic Payment Terms

Ocean Grove Memorial Home
118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, New Jersey 07756

Thomas J. Saragusa, Manager
N. J. License No. 4036

VOICE 732-775-0434 - - OGMHognj@aol.com

Basic Payment Terms - Funeral Expenses

Our primary charges are for the services that we render. In addition to the services of our professional and office personnel, our charges for transportation and merchandise will be included on your final statement. The use of our owned and available facilities is included with our services; we do not charge a separate amount for the use of owned facilities.

In addition to our charges for Services, Transportation and Merchandise, our final statement will reflect all other items that you have requested us to purchase as an accommodation for you.

As a function of policy, the funeral home does not advance payments for major amounts such as cemetery opening charges (which are often in excess of $500.00). In the case of cemetery (and other major) charges, payment must be made directly to the vendor by the purchaser. As a courtesy to the purchaser, the funeral home will accept receipt of that payment and pass it along to the vendor with other documents on the day of final disposition.

You must pay directly, all charges made by your cemetery as it will require payment in full prior to the final disposition.

We will provide you with a written estimated Statement of Funeral Goods and Services that you select. Please ask us to explain any estimated charge that is not clear to you. Both the State of New Jersey and the Federal Trade Commission govern the way our charges are quoted.

A final statement, that reflects any change from the items noted on your estimate, will be mailed to you prior to the time the funeral statement is due.

At the request of the purchaser, the funeral home will advance payments for minor amounts for services and products to be provided by third parties. Such payments may be to clergy, for newspaper notices, hairdresser, limousine, certified copies of the death certificate, gratuities and other items.

Cash advances that the funeral home will advance will be discussed and itemized on the Estimated Statement of Funeral Goods and Services that we deliver to the purchaser at the arrangement conference.

The amount of the actual advance payments will be reflected on our final statement that will be sent to the purchaser before total payment is due.

We will require an initial payment to the funeral home – a deposit – in the form of either:

A Partial Payment (one-third (1/3) of the total charges by the funeral home plus the total amount of the estimated cash advancements) on or before the day of final disposition. Payment, in full, of the remaining balance due is required within THIRTY DAYS of the DATE OF THE AGREEMENT.

OR

The Full Estimated Amount on or before the day of final disposition. (If payment, in full, is received by the funeral home on or before the day of the final disposition, the account will be credited with a prompt payment discount in the amount of 3% of the merchandise purchased.)

OR

An acceptible Proof of Intention to Pay received on or before the day of final disposition. (Proof of Intention to Pay is a personal check in the full amount of the estimated expenses, dated the day it is issued. We will hold your check for an agreed time.)

If the total charges are not paid in cash or by check at the arrangement conference, a PROMISSORY NOTE due in thirty days must be issued to the funeral home by the purchaser. If the total charges of the funeral home are paid voluntarily by another person (or the estate) before the term of that note, the purchaser/ promissor is released from that financial obligation.

Payment may be made in the form of cash or a personal check (dated on the day it is issued...we will hold your check for an agreed time if you ask us to).

After the deposit amount is paid by cash or check, the balance of the funeral bill may be satisfied by the assignment of benefits from an individual (as opposed to a group) life insurance policy, by the BENEFICIARY ON RECORD with the insurance company.

After our services are rendered, no contract will be renegotiated.

The funeral home is not a lending institution; we do not include lending fees in our charges. We do not extend credit beyond thirty days.

It is our policy to provide quality service to all families that we serve. Public assistance programs are available through the county government for those in need, but such assistance usually must be applied for and granted prior to the finalization of funeral arrangements.

All funeral bills are due upon presentation and will be considered past due on the thirty-first day after the arrangement conference.

All accounts outstanding on the first day of the month following the past due date will accrue a monthly late payment charge of one twelfth of 16% per annum. The minimum monthly late payment charge is $5.00.

For the payment of funeral expenses, we offer three payment options wherein no late payment charges are made:

Discount allowed if the full estimated charges are paid prior to the final disposition. (Three percent of the merchandise selected is the amount that will be refunded to you as a discount after all final charges have been determined. Merchandise must total $300.00 for the discount to apply.)

Final payment within thirty days of the date of the arrangement conference after a deposit is paid prior to the final disposition. (The deposit requested is one third of our total charges plus the estimated amount of cash advances that we agree to advance for you.)

The assignment of private life insurance benefits. (The amount of the life insurance must be enough to fully pay the funeral statement and the assignment and claim form must be signed by the person acknowledged by the insurance company as the "beneficiary of record.")

For payment received after thirty days from the date of the arrangement conference:

All accounts outstanding on the first day of the month following the late payment date will accrue a monthly late payment charge of one twelfth of 16% per annum. The minimum monthly late payment charge is $5.00.

Special payment arrangements agreed to at the arrangement conference.

We are open to discuss special payment arrangements when final payment is delayed beyond the usual thirty day period.

Regarding Payments by Credit Card

The Ocean Grove Memorial Home accepts all major credit cards however no prompt payment discount is offered with credit card payment.

If you have any questions or comments about any of the items noted above, please discuss them with your funeral director.

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