Funeral Pre-Planning

As funeral directors, we often get asked when the best time to plan a funeral is? Truthfully, the answer is any time before you have to plan a funeral. You wouldn’t wait to plan a wedding or a baby shower until a few days before, so why wait to plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral not only allows you to record your wishes, it gives you and your family the peace of mind to know that everything is taken care of.

There are two types of plans, pre-need funeral and at-need (sometimes referred to as immediate need). At-need funeral plans are made by the surviving family members after a death has occurred. It can be a difficult experience for the survivors because emotions are high, time is short, and their grief needs to be managed. Not only that, but the imminent financial concerns can add to the stress of everything.

Preneed funeral plans are much less stressful and more advantageous. Rather than rushing to complete arrangements, you can think about what you want your service to include and talk about the options with your family. Making pre-arranged funeral plans also offers several benefits which we’ve outlined below.

Benefits of Funeral Pre-Planning

Today, more individuals and families are making the decision to pre-arrange their funerals than ever before. Because of factors such as inflation, fewer extended family members living close by, and other changes in our society, making pre arranged funeral plans can make a lot of sense.

We have found that the most common benefits to funeral pre planning are:

You Can Choose the Way You'll be Remembered

Have you given any thought as to how you want to be remembered? Maybe you had a long career in the military that you'd like to celebrate. Maybe you love animals and would like to encourage donations in your memory to your local humane society. When you make funeral pre-arrangements you put your wishes on paper so that your loved ones will know exactly how to celebrate your life and honor your memory.

You’ll Make it Easier on Your Loved Ones

Did you know that there are more than 70 details that need to be tended to in the first 24 hours after a death? Are your loved ones ready for all that responsibility?

When you pre-arrange, you make those first 24 hours easier for your loved ones. You can also save them money. The stress of making last-minute funeral arrangements often cause people to make unnecessary purchases. By taking care of the arrangements yourself, you free them from spending more than they need too.

You Can Protect Yourself and Your Family from Rising Funeral Costs

Like most things, funeral costs tend to rise every year. That means that a funeral today will probably cost less than the same funeral three or four years from now. Paying for your funeral now can save your loved ones money. If you’d like to explore the subject of locking in funeral costs, please call us.

Any one of those reasons is good, but when you take them all together, it’s easy to see why pre-planning your funeral is one of the smartest things you can do. If you agree, give us a call to set an appointment with one of our certified pre-planning advisors, or get started right now, with PreArrangement Online. Don’t worry. It’s safe, secure, and completely private.

You’ll Empower Your Family

They will know exactly what needs to be done. That’s because you’ve taken all of the guess work out of planning your funeral. When you pre-arrange your funeral, everyone benefits. You know that your wishes will be carried out and your loved ones know exactly how to honor you.

What do you need to pre-arrange your funeral? See our Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist.

What's Included When You Pre-Pay for Pre-Need Funeral Plans

So, you’re ready to start funeral preplanning, but you have questions about what you receive when the arrangements are finished. Once the contract has been signed, the funeral director will provide you with a written statement that outlines the goods and services you have purchased (along with pricing for each). You will also receive a copy of the preneed contract discussing the terms and conditions, this includes:

A guarantee that if the goods and services you selected are not available at time of service, a substitute of equal or greater value will be provided at no cost.
The geographical boundaries of the firm’s service area.
Under what circumstances the contract can be transferred to another funeral home.
State where the funds are held until the funeral service.
Explain who is responsible for paying taxes on any income or interest generated by the preneed funds you invest.
Discuss whether, the price of goods and services is guaranteed.
The terms if you wish to cancel your preneed contract.

Learn More About Pre-Paid Funerals

How to Pre-Plan a Funeral

Here's a break-down of the process:

Set goals
Review limitations
Look at available options
Weigh the pros and cons of each option
Talk to others about the best options
Arrive at a final decision

In the case of funeral pre-arrangement, another two important steps are involved:

Write out your plan with as many details as possible.
Send your plan to the funeral home and provide a copy to your executor.

Taking Care of Finances and Property

Create a contact list of everyone who should be notified in a medical emergency or death including the name of your funeral home.
Give your executor(s) a copy of your will and the contact list.
Give your executor(s) a list of bank and investment accounts, creditors, mortgage or lien information, insurance policies, retirement plans, safe deposit boxes, real and personal properties of value, and all related telephone numbers.
If you are receiving benefits from Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security or the Veterans' Administration, your executor needs that information to suspend benefit payments.
Select someone you trust to deal with your online accounts: email, online memberships, and social media. Include all relevant information and whether or not they should delete, close, or keep any of the accounts.

Taking Care of Funeral-Related Details

Make note of all the details you want mentioned in your obituary. You could even take this one step further and write your own obituary.
State, in writing, your preferences for burial or cremation.
If burial is preferred, provide the details of the cemetery arrangements. If you have not purchased a burial plot, this is the time to do so.
If you have chosen burial, what type of casket would you like? Should it be made of wood, metal, or composite materials?
If you choose cremation, what do you want done with the ashes?
Would you like a traditional funeral, memorial service, or celebration-of-life?
If you'd like a celebration-of-life, what location would you suggest for this event?
What special activities would you prefer at a celebration-of-life?
What music or special readings would you prefer?
What type and colours of flowers would you prefer?
Would you like to select a charitable organization to receive donations in your name?

Taking Care of Your Pets

If you share your life with animal companions, you should think about who you would like to take care of your pets. Consult with the person to see if this is something they are interested in doing for you and then write down your intentions and include all contact information. This should be signed and witnessed, and then given to your executor.

Pre-Plan Funeral Arrangements Today

Our website features a step-by-step interactive online pre-arrangement form that can be used to record your end-of-life plan. You'll be asked to create an account with a username and password so you can login at any time to complete or change the plan.

Pre-Arrange Online