Funeral Information

Pre-Arrangements > Introduction

What Is Prearrangement?
Prearrangement is the planning of funeral services before the need arises, often years before death occurs. A funeral director records your preferences for the type of service desired, music and flowers, casket selection, and other information. You and your family receive a copy of the preferences, and the funeral home keeps a copy as well. Keeping these records in an accessible place is important to surviving family members.

Why Prearrange?
People prearrange funerals for many reasons. Some have definite preferences concerning the funeral service or merchandise and want their families to be informed and involved in the decisions. Others want to save their survivors from having to make decisions at a difficult and confusing time.

Some individuals who have been faced with making selections for loved ones may wish to spare others from the indecision, guessing, emotion, or anxiety they experienced. Still others may prearrange because no one else is capable of making responsible decisions. Many like the benefit of financial savings that come from prepaying expenses. In any case, funeral prearrangement can alleviate many concerns and is often viewed as an element of estate planning.

Do You Have To Pay For Anything?
No, although families choose to for many reasons. Prefinancing alleviates financial concerns, preventing an unnecessary burden at a time of loss because it ensures funds are available when needed. Prefinancing can help offset inflation-allowing you to pay tomorrow's costs at today's prices.

Additionally, some people choose to prefinance to preserve an individual's Medicaid or SSI eligibility.

How Do You Prearrange?
Services can be planned for you and your family members at a convenient time by contacting the funeral director to discuss the selection of merchandise and services. Simply ask the funeral director of your choice to meet with you and discuss choices, either at the firm or in the comfort of your own home. This simple gesture of consideration can help your family. Funeral arranging before the need arises is thoughtful and easy to do.