Pre-Planning

Funeral planning is a difficult process involving emotional stress, financial decision making, and uncertainty. Without some guidance, the options and information surrounding funerals and arrangement planning can seem overwhelming at an already complicated time.

Preplan your funeral.

Losing a loved one is hard enough. Add in the many logistical and financial decisions that come with arranging a funeral or memorial service, and it can feel overwhelmingly stressful. By planning yours in advance, you can remove these extra burdens from your loved ones during an already difficult time, and allow your family the space to remember, connect, and begin to heal. You also make sure your final wishes are carried out how you want—not decided through someone else’s best guesses.
By making your final arrangements ahead of time, you also save your family an added financial burden. Not only does it eliminate the difficult question of who will pay, preplanning locks in inflation-proof rates for years to come. We also offer flexible payment plans, making advanced planning a more convenient option.
How we work with you to preplan:
An Advanced planner will work with you to create a personalized checklist and help you communicate all of your wishes and preferences, such as:
Gathering personal information for your obituary
Choosing a charity to direct donations to, if desired
Making note of any special instructions for your services and final disposition
Choosing burial or cremation
Choosing the location and type of service
Deciding whether you’d like to have a viewing or visitation
Selecting music and hymns, if desired
Selecting a style for your stationery and memorial register book
Including any customs, traditions, or religious rites that are important to you and your family

Here are some guidelines to assist you in moving forward:

Many of these items can be arranged prior to death to lessen the stress for the family at a time when they are grieving loss.

You can choose and pre-arrange:

  • Information for an obituary
  • A funeral director
  • Burial or cremation
  • The casket or cremation container
  • A grave marker and inscriptions
  • The location for the service
  • Type of service (memorial, wake, military, Jewish ceremony, etc.)
  • Flower arrangements
  • Photos that will be displayed
  • Funeral music and songs
  • What the deceased will wear
  • Scripture to be read
  • Memorial register or memorial cards
  • Transportation and funeral cars
  • Who will perform the eulogy
  • Who will read the scripture
  • Pallbearers

Final Planning

Other items cannot be pre-arranged, but must be taken care of following a loved one's death:
  • Ambulance transfer from place of death
  • Death certificate
  • Burial permit
  • Time and date for the service
  • Embalming and body preparation
  • Submit obituary

Funeral Costs

The FTC has mandated that the funeral providers must give you a statement of all costs of the funeral goods and services that you select. This is called a General Price List (GPL). In addition, the law enables consumers to select and purchase only the goods and services they want, rather than having to accept an entire package
Funeral costs can be divided into three basic categories:
1. The Basic Service Fee: Funeral providers are allowed to charge this, and it can't be declined by the family. This fee covers services common to all funerals including the use of the home, the services of the funeral director and funeral home attendants, burial arrangement coordination (with a cemetery or other), securing permits, etc.
2. Optional Service Charges: Some optional services include transporting the body, embalming, times for viewing (or wakes), use of a hearse or limousine, burial container, cremation and interment.
3. Cash Disbursements: This covers goods and services that the funeral home buys on your behalf, with your consent. It may include the purchase of flowers, clergy services, obituary notices, pallbearers and other service providers such as soloists or musicians.

Planning Ahead

While pre-planning can be a difficult subject to discuss, clients are usually surprised by how simple the process really is. Pre-planning ensures that your final wishes will be carried out to your specifications, and eliminates a significant burden for your loved ones. 


Pre-Arrange Online

Pre-planning and pre-paying your funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give to your family. Don't wait! Start Your Pre-Plan Today