Funeral & cemetery trust services

Regions Funeral & Cemetery Trust Services team is a specialized division dedicated exclusively to supporting the unique needs of funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories across the country.

Trusted experience. Tailored solutions. National reach.

With over 27 years of experience and a team of professionals solely focused on the death care industry, we deliver comprehensive trust and investment services that help our clients operate efficiently in a highly regulated environment. We understand the nuances of cemetery trust structures and offer flexible investment options, including collaboration with external advisors when requested.

What is the purpose of a funeral or cemetery trust?

An institutional funeral or cemetery trust plays a vital role in the deathcare sector by fulfilling two key functions: safeguarding prepaid funeral and burial arrangements and supporting the ongoing upkeep of cemetery grounds. These trusts operate as neutral financial stewards, responsibly managing and investing funds until they are needed for their designated purpose.

Our full service funeral & cemetery trust solutions

Legal review of accounts & research state-specific regulations

Risk management

Fiduciary investment management services

Trust account administration services

Trust and custody of assets

Tax computation and reporting

Why choose Regions for funeral & cemetery trust services

Client-focused service

Dedicated service

  • Client service and communications are streamlined through a dedicated relationship consultant and Trust Relationship Specialist.

Streamlined operations

  • We provide timely and efficient processing of client deposits and withdrawals as well as regulatory reporting.

Comprehensive trust and banking relationships

  • A full spectrum of banking services is available to support additional banking and credit needs as needed.

Specialized industry experience

Extensive industry knowledge

  • Our team is wholly dedicated to funeral & cemetery trust clients.
  • Clients range from single rooftop locations to national consolidators.

Customized investments

  • Portfolio managers understand the unique needs of our clients and manage trusts according to each state's investment guidelines, to meet clients' growth and income needs.
  • We're able to work with other investment firms at the request of our clients.

Legal and regulatory support

  • Our clients are supported by an in-house attorney dedicated to the specific needs of their businesses.
  • We provide state-approved trust documents and, each year, we produce over 1,000 annual state reports to various state regulatory agencies.

Benefit from working with one of the largest dedicated teams in the U.S.

  • Our specialized team of 16 credentialed and experienced professionals is fully dedicated to the death care trusts.
  • We currently serve approximately 200 clients in 38 states.
  • We manage 2,400 trust accounts totaling $6.5B in assets.

Cemetery & funeral trust FAQs

  • Funeral preneed
  • Cemetery merchandise
  • Cemetery (perpetual care)
  • Preconstruction

Funeral preneed trusts are specialized, state regulated financial arrangements that allow funeral home operators to hold client funds in a secure trust to pay for future funeral goods and services.

There is no national set of regulations and the administration and investment of all preneed funeral and cemetery trust assets are governed by each state, including:

  • Regulations regarding the non financial operation of business
  • Financial regulations and oversight regarding deposits, investments, and withdrawals of funeral trust funds

Funeral merchandise trusts are specialized, state regulated financial arrangements that allow funeral home operators to hold client funds in a secure trust to pay for future funeral goods and services (e.g., caskets, vaults, urns, grave markers).

There is no national set of regulations and investment of all funeral merchandise trust assets are governed by each state, including:

  • Regulations regarding the non financial operation of business
  • Financial regulations and oversight regarding deposits, investments, and withdrawals of funeral trust funds

Perpetual care cemetery trusts are irrevocable funds established by cemeteries to ensure the long term maintenance, repair, and beautification of burial grounds.

There is no national set of regulations and the administration and investment of all preneed funeral and cemetery trust assets are governed by each state.

Cemetery preconstruction trusts are specialized, regulated financial accounts established by cemetery corporations to hold a portion of the proceeds from the sale of undeveloped, preneed mausoleum spaces, crypts, or niches. Their primary purpose is to ensure that funds are available to complete the construction of these structures, protecting consumers who have purchased spaces in advance.

 

Let's connect

We look forward to speaking with you. Please provide your contact information and we’ll contact you by email or by phone, typically within two business days.