Dear Lisa Carlson, I would suggest in the future you direct your questions to SCI Dignity Memorial, before you publicize such uninformed statements. Statistically the costs of funeral continues to rise. NOT ONCE has the cost declined. The rising cost of death is currently 3 times higher than the cost of living. It definitely makes sense to pay ahead. There are other financial protection reasons as well. For instance if one dies before the plan is paid off, SCI covers the remainder portion. Hello, can you say protection! All contracts are completely transferable to any of the THOUSANDS of Dignity Memorial properties. So, if someone moves it is transfeable. If one dies while traveling, there is coverage for that also. Changing from burial to cremation, changing plans, not a problem, one can always upgrade or downgrade. I find your writing to be incredibly misleading and irresponsbile.