Choose the cremation
Pick the package and any extras, by phone or in our online planner. We’ll help you include everything your family would otherwise pay for later.
Prepaid Cremation and Illinois Medicaid
If you or a parent is applying for Medicaid to pay for nursing home care, an irrevocable prepaid cremation plan lets you set money aside for final arrangements without it counting against eligibility.
IRREVOCABLE CREMATION PLANS FROM
$1,700
Itemized for your caseworker. Today’s price, locked in.
In-person arrangements: 3521 N. Pulaski Rd. · Get directions
IRREVOCABLE PLANS
Built for Medicaid spend-downs
ITEMIZED CONTRACT
Every service and price listed
FOR A PARENT
We work with adult children
PRICE LOCKED IN
Today’s price, guaranteed
Why families prepay before applying for Medicaid
To qualify for Medicaid nursing home care in Illinois, a person’s countable assets have to be spent down to a low limit. Money spent on things that aren’t fairly valued can be penalized under Medicaid’s five-year look-back. An irrevocable prepaid funeral or cremation plan is different: it’s a fair-value purchase of services you will eventually need, so Illinois Medicaid generally doesn’t count it as an asset.
That makes a prepaid cremation plan one of the simplest ways to use savings that would otherwise have to be spent down, while making sure final arrangements are already paid for.
- Protects money for final arrangements during a spend-down
- Takes one decision and one bill off your family’s plate
- Our cremation plans are priced well within Illinois’ limit for an irrevocable plan
Irrevocable vs. revocable plans
Both lock in the price of your cremation. The difference is whether you can cancel the plan later, and that’s what Medicaid looks at.
Irrevocable plan
BEST FOR MEDICAID APPLICANTS- Generally not counted as an asset Illinois Medicaid excludes it, up to a state limit our plans fall well within.
- Can’t be cashed in later That’s what protects it. It can still move with you to another funeral home.
- Every service itemized The contract lists each service and item with its price, as Illinois requires.
Revocable plan
IF MEDICAID ISN’T A CONCERN- Only $1,500 is exempt Illinois Medicaid counts the rest of a revocable plan as an asset.
- Can be cancelled You keep the flexibility to cash it in.
- Same locked-in price You still get today’s price for the services you choose.
Not sure which you need?
Call (773) 866-2273
and we’ll walk you through it.
How we set up an irrevocable plan
By phone or in person, and we can work with you and your parent together.
We itemize every service
Your contract lists each service and item and its price. Illinois Medicaid requires this, and anything not tied to a specific service can be treated as a penalized transfer.
Fund it irrevocably
The plan is funded by a life insurance policy with Funeral Directors Life that’s irrevocably assigned. We give you copies of everything for the Medicaid caseworker.
Medicaid and prepaid cremation questions
Can I set this up for a parent who’s already in a nursing home?
Yes. Many of our Medicaid plans are arranged by an adult child for a parent who is moving into, or already living in, a nursing home. We’ll work with both of you, and with whoever holds power of attorney.
Does prepaying count against the five-year look-back?
Paying fair value for funeral and cremation services that are listed in the contract isn’t treated as a penalized transfer. Amounts that aren’t tied to a specific service or item can be, which is why we itemize every plan.
Is there a limit on how much I can prepay?
Illinois sets a limit for irrevocable funeral plans and adjusts it over time. Our cremation packages are priced well within it. Your caseworker can confirm the current figure.
What if there’s money left over?
Under Illinois rules for these plans, any amount left after the listed services are provided goes to the State, up to what Medicaid paid for care. Because we itemize the plan to the services you choose, there usually isn’t much left over.
Can an irrevocable plan be cancelled?
No. That’s what makes it irrevocable, and it’s why Medicaid doesn’t count it. It can still be transferred to another funeral home if your family moves.
What does the caseworker need from us?
A copy of the signed, itemized contract and the insurance policy documents showing the irrevocable assignment. We provide all of it.
Do you give legal or Medicaid advice?
We’re funeral professionals, not attorneys, and Medicaid rules change. We’ll explain how our plans work, and we recommend confirming your situation with your caseworker or an elder law attorney.
Please note: This page explains how prepaid cremation plans generally work with Illinois Medicaid. It isn’t legal advice. Medicaid rules change, so confirm your situation with your caseworker or an elder law attorney.
Related guides
- Prepaid Cremation Plans in Chicago Plans, prices and how prepaying works.
- Cremation Pre-Planning Checklist Everything to decide and gather, in one printable list.
- How to Pre-Plan Your Cremation Online What the online planner asks for, step by step.
- Who Can Authorize a Cremation in Illinois? Why naming your decision-maker matters.
Talk with us about a Medicaid plan
We help families set up irrevocable plans for Medicaid. Call us, and we’ll explain the options and what your caseworker will need.
Se habla español. Llámenos al (773) 866-2273.
What families say about Caring Cremations
Our Chicago funeral home
Most families arrange everything online or by phone, and we answer 24 hours a day. When you’d like to meet with us in person, or to pick up your loved one’s cremated remains, come to our funeral home in Irving Park.
Caring Cremations – Irving Park
FUNERAL HOME AND ARRANGEMENT OFFICE
3521 N. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL 60641
Cremated remains are picked up here. If you can’t come in person, ask us about secure shipping.
Get directions
We also have offices in the Loop and Sauganash, shown on the map. Meetings and pickups are at our Pulaski Road funeral home.
