Pre-Planning Frequent Questions

Pre-planning a funeral is when funeral arrangements are made for an individual before they pass. The individual can choose their preferences for the ceremony and what happens to their body, which can help to relieve the stress on loved ones after their passing and ensure their wishes are met.

A significant majority of adults in America express a preference for pre-planning their own funeral services. According to a study by the Funeral and Memorial Information Council conducted in 2015, a substantial 69% of adults over the age of 40 indicated they would prefer to pre-arrange their own service. 

Pre-planning a funeral provides peace of mind to the planner and their loved ones.  It ensures that the planner's preferences are carried out and gives loved ones more time to grieve.

A funeral pre-planner helps determine funeral arrangements and ensures that the individual's wishes for the service, burial, decorations, and music are met. They calculate the costs of the funeral and help make adjustments as needed.

A funeral pre-need is a contract to pre-pay for funeral goods and services that will be carried out upon death, lessening the financial burden on loved ones.

Funeral directors ask questions to make the funeral experience more manageable and to do their best to honor the deceased. In addition, a funeral director’s experience helps to provide peace of mind by increasing confidence that everything is covered and that there will be a smooth process without surprises when the time comes. Some questions include:

• Do you want a funeral service, visitation, or viewing?
• What is the difference between the types of funeral services and types of interment?
• When and where would you like for services to be held?
• Would you like speakers or musicians at the service?
• Would you prefer burial, cremation, or another type of interment?
• Is there a final resting place you have in mind?
• If cremated, what are your preferences for permanent placement of cremated remains?

You can expect meetings with a funeral director to last between 90 minutes and three hours, depending on the arrangements being made.

Part of the benefit of pre-planning for a funeral or cremation is the freedom to schedule it at your leisure. The peace of mind benefits of having arrangements made is a good feeling, so we recommend talking it over as soon as it is on your mind. There are no downsides to planning early. It’s important to note that since wishes may change over time, pre-planning choices can also! If you or a loved one has a change of heart about some or all of the arrangements, changes can be made. Depending on the nature of the changes, there may be a change in cost. We find that the families we serve are happy to have plans made in advance. When someone passes, pre-planning provides a great relief and ‘makes room’ for families to spend time together, instead of making arrangements.

No. It is not weird to plan your funeral. It is highly encouraged as it leaves your family with fewer decisions to make during a difficult time and allows you to have your arrangements set up according to your wishes and preferences. Many people who pre-plan their own funeral or cremation have lived through the loss of another family member or friend and wish to pre-plan their own arrangements as a gift of relief to their remaining family and friends. To many, it is a personal responsibility and final act of thoughtfulness.

Funeral pre-planning is choosing in advance how you would like your funeral to be handled. Some people create detailed plans, while others prefer a general outline. It can be done electronically or in hard copy. Regardless, individuals should communicate their wishes to loved ones.

All of these terms refer to having a funeral plan before death has occurred. Pre-paying is a formal arrangement where an individual pays for funeral products and services ahead of time through a contract with a funeral provider. The pre-paid services and costs agreed upon are guaranteed, and there will be no price changes over time or at the time of the service. Payment can be made in a single payment or in installments. Another option is to purchase a funeral insurance policy, called pre-need insurance, that covers the cost of the contract upon death. Pre-planning or advance planning is creating a plan for how you would like your funeral handled and does not require a commitment to a funeral provider. The terms are often used interchangeably.

Recording a funeral plan allows an individual to specify the products and services that matter most to them. For example, if the type of casket doesn't matter to the individual, they could select a simple wood version instead of an expensive bronze style. Individuals can also save money by specifying that they don't want multiple days for viewing or visitation.

To ensure that funeral wishes are carried out, carefully choose the people designated to handle them and make sure they are fully informed. It's also important to ensure that funds are set aside to take care of those wishes.

Not all prepaid funeral plans make sense financially. Consult with the funeral director or people you chose to handle your arrangements to see if pre-pay is the right choice for you.

It may be helpful to consult a financial advisor for guidance on this topic. However, it is important to note that financial advice should always be tailored to your specific circumstances, and it's recommended to speak with a qualified professional for personalized advice.

The services and expenses covered by your funeral plan depend on the plan that you choose and can vary from person to person. Costs are locked in with a guaranteed prepaid funeral plan so that even if prices go up, your loved ones won't have to pay more.

It may be helpful to contact a funeral home to discuss the types of services that can be pre-paid for or contact your insurance company for information about the details of your policy or for obtaining a policy. It is important to carefully consider the terms of any policy before purchasing to make sure all of your requirements and preferences will be met.

Yes, planning a funeral in advance is possible and recommended, even if you choose not to pre-pay. Planning and pre-paying are not the same. Your circumstances should be carefully considered when deciding whether to pre-pay as an individual's situation can change between payment and death. For example, funeral homes can go out of business, leaving no one to honor the plan, or, the individual may die far from where they paid for a funeral and plot.

Yes, federal law does not require you to buy funeral goods or services as a package, and funeral providers must disclose this.

Yes, talk over funeral plans with loved ones and write them down. Tell your loved ones what kind of funeral you would like and how much you want to spend. Be specific, but understand that they may not be able to deliver on every detail. Funeral planning is a conversation to have with loved ones; make them part of the process. Having your plans in writing helps to ensure that your wishes are observed by everyone involved.

Preplanning your funeral may seem uncomfortable, but it brings peace of mind to you and your loved ones, can help save you money, and ensures that your wishes will be honored.