Planning Ahead
Pre-Planning
There’s a lot that goes into planning a funeral, but making those arrangements beforehand gives you time to consider all of your options and make sure that you’re covering all of the necessary details.
This page will help you understand why you should consider creating a plan, the information that is needed for a plan, a link to our online planning tool that will allow you to create your plan online, and a form that you can use to contact us about questions and download a comprehensive, illustrated guide to pre-planning.
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Why Plan Ahead?
Still feeling unsure? Here are some of the most important reasons for why planning ahead may be the best option.
It's Easy
You can take your time creating arrangements that best suit your needs and preferences, and all you have to do is fill out a form or meet with a member of our staff to put your plan in place. Anyone can create a plan, at any stage in their life, and you can make changes at a later date if you wish.
It Lets You Decide How You'd Like To Be Remembered
Creating your own unique life celebration allows you to make sure that your wishes and desires are respected upon your passing. However, you decide to be memorialized, pre-planning and preparation gives you control over the personal decisions that must be made when a person moves on from this life.
It Takes The Burden Off Of Your Family And Friends
When a loved one passes, the family faces an overwhelming number of tasks and decisions, all while struggling through grief and a range of difficult emotions. By taking care of your arrangements before the time of need, you’re relieving them of that burden and giving them more time and energy to focus on healing and remembrance.
It Gives You The Ability To Pre-Pay, If You Wish
While pre-funding your funeral is certainly not required in order to pre-plan, pre-payment means that your funds will be set aside and protected against inflation and unforeseen increases in cost. Your family won’t have to worry about payment and can enjoy peace of mind knowing that everything has been taken care of.
Your Plan Goes With You No Matter Where You Move
Once you create your pre-plan with us, we store it in our files as a record of your final wishes and decisions. Your plan is easily transferable to any funeral home in the United States, so it can be used wherever you might choose to relocate.
Where Do I Start?
We would recommend by first reviewing the Pre-Planning Checklist to help you get familiar with the general range of items you may want to consider.
As a follow-up, if needed, you may also want to do some more research by downloading one of our free, illustrated eBooks. We have eBooks available that discuss many topics, such as:
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Comparing the benefits of cremation with traditional body burial,
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Environmentally-friendly alternatives for burial and cremation
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An illustrated ebook that covers the range of possibilities for memorials and monuments, and what cemetery options might be of interest to you.
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A Pre-Planning Guide that not only covers most of the topics and items you will want to consider, but it also contains a workbook for you to enter critical information you want to ensure gets passed on to family members or loved one.
Of course, we would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your questions in person as well.
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The last step is to document your wishes! You can use our online form or you can also meet with us to discuss your options and design your plan in person.
Pre-Planning Checklist
The following checklist will help you to make sure you’ve thought of everything when you begin creating your personalized plan.
Remember that there’s no need to make all of the decisions right away, and that the purpose of pre-planning is to allow yourself to take the time you need when considering your options and making the choices that are right for you. For personalized assistance in creating your plan, consult one of our experts by contacting us to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
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VITAL STATISTICS: This includes your father’s name, your mother’s maiden name, your level of education, and your social security number.
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AFFILIATIONS: This includes church, fraternal, service, or union membership, along with any special recognitions you might have.
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VETERAN STATUS: If you’re a veteran, you’ll also need to include DD-214 Discharge Papers and other details related to your service.
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GENERAL INFO:
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Personal information for your obituary
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A charity to direct donations to, if desired
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Choose a funeral home
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Any special instructions you desire for your services and final disposition
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FUNERAL SERVICE:
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Choose burial or cremation
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Select a casket or cremation container (for more information, download our free eBook)
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Choose the location and type of service (traditional or a Celebration of Life)
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Decide whether you’d like to have a viewing or visitation
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Choose a floral arrangement
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Select which photographs and memorabilia you’d like to display
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Consider any customs, traditions, or religious rites that are important to you and your family
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Choose the clothing you’d like to be dressed in
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Select music and hymns, if desired
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Select a style for your memorial folder and memorial register book
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Arrange transportation for your physical remains and your family
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Brainstorm any additional ways you’d like to personalize the services or pay tribute to your accomplishments, hobbies, personality, and life story.
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PARTICIPANTS
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Choose a clergy member or officiant to preside over the service
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Select any musicians whose talents you’d like to employ
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Select pallbearers
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Choose friends or family members to perform the eulogy, read scripture, or prepare a speech
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CEMETERY
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Choose a cemetery
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Select a burial or cremation plot, or a mausoleum, if appropriate
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Decide between above- and below-ground burial
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Select a memorial or grave marker and inscription
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Ready to Start? Here are two options to get started.
Have a Question or Request?
We are here to answer any questions you may have. Our staff of accredited funeral directors are committed to providing your family with the highest quality care and service in your time of need.
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Please feel free to use the contact form to send us an email, or call us at (509) 838-8900.
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PLEASE NOTE: If you are in need of immediate assistance, call us 24/7 at (509) 838-8900.