Talking About Urns and Caskets

A Funeral Pre-Plan: What It Is And Why It's Essential

When a loved one passes away, the funeral service often becomes the focus of attention. It is a time for friends and family to come together and mourn a loss and celebrate the life that was lived. While it's natural to want to plan a funeral service that reflects who you are as an individual or as a couple with your partner, funeral planning can also be overwhelming and cause undue stress in the already difficult time following a loss.

Funeral pre-planning is the vital process of making funeral arrangements in advance. It may involve specifying your wishes regarding burial or cremation, selecting a funeral home, and creating a funeral plan.

Why is a funeral pre-plan essential?

Before you die, it is important to set out your funeral wishes so they can be followed when the time comes. Everyone would like their funeral to be a grand celebration of life, but this isn't always possible. Without a funeral pre-plan, your family members may have to take on this responsibility at a time of intense grief and stress. In this context, it's important to let them know what you want in advance.

The funeral coordinator at a funeral home is trained to guide you and your family through the funeral pre-planning process. They will discuss with you how many people should attend your funeral, the funeral location, and any special requests, such as funeral readings or favorite pieces of music. These details should all be outlined in your pre-plan so there will be no confusion or doubt about what you would have wanted.

There are two main reasons to consider funeral pre-planning:

Taking Care of the Burial Details in Advance Saves Time and Money

Funeral pre-planning can definitely lead to reduced funeral costs. It's a way of taking care of family members during a difficult time by removing details from their plate so they can grieve. By funeral pre-planning, a funeral will already have been arranged, and the funeral costs known in advance. So, there is little to discuss with family members who may be too emotional to give financial matters much thought.

You Leave a Lasting Legacy

When you funeral pre-plan or funeral prepay, you leave a lasting legacy for your family. You make funeral preparations with your family in mind. Funeral planning details will not burden them after you die. Having a detailed funeral pre-plan means your wishes will be known and respected the way you want them to be.

The Bottom Line

A funeral pre-plan makes it easier for your family and friends to cope if the worst should happen. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that your funeral is planned out exactly as you want it, not how someone else wants it.


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