Funeral Pre-Planning Questions Answered
Planning for the future brings peace of mind, and funeral pre-planning is one way to ensure your final wishes are honored while easing the burden on your loved ones. By making arrangements in advance, you can outline your preferences for burial, cremation, or even eco-friendly options, as well as personalize details like music, readings, or religious services.
Some choose to take it a step further with prepaid funerals, locking in today’s prices to protect against rising costs. This approach not only prevents financial stress for your family but also ensures your chosen services are funded when needed. Whether you’re considering a simple direct cremation or a full-service funeral, preplanning allows you to make informed decisions on your own terms.
Below, we answer the most common questions about funeral pre-planning, covering costs, legal considerations, service options, and how to ensure your arrangements align with your wishes.
Funeral preplanning is the process of making arrangements for your funeral in advance. This includes choosing burial or cremation, selecting a casket or urn, and deciding on the type of service you want. Preplanning helps relieve emotional and financial stress for your loved ones and ensures your wishes are followed.
Preplanning provides peace of mind, locks in today’s prices for many services, prevents your family from making difficult decisions during grief, ensures your wishes are honored, and can help reduce financial burdens by setting up payment plans or prepaid arrangements. You can request preplanning pricing online here.
You can preplan your funeral at any time. Many people start in their 50s or 60s, but others do so earlier or later depending on personal preference. The sooner you plan, the more control you have over details and pricing.
Yes, most funeral preplans allow for adjustments. If you’ve purchased a prepaid funeral, there may be limitations depending on the contract. It’s important to review the terms and ensure your plan allows for modifications if needed
If your preplanned funeral is tied to a specific funeral home, you may need to transfer your arrangements. Some national funeral providers offer transferable plans, while others may require you to start over. It’s best to check your plan’s portability before moving.
If your preplanned funeral is tied to a specific funeral home, you may need to transfer your arrangements. Some national funeral providers offer transferable plans, while others may require you to start over. It’s best to check your plan’s portability before moving.
The cost varies based on your selections, such as burial vs. cremation, casket or urn choice, and service type. A basic cremation preplan may cost $1,500–$3,000, while a traditional burial plan can range from $7,000–$12,000 or more.
Prepaying locks in today’s prices and ensures funds are available when needed. Preplanning without payment means your wishes are documented, but your family will need to cover costs when the time comes
Refund policies depend on the funeral provider and type of plan. Some contracts are fully refundable, while others charge a cancellation fee or are non-refundable after a certain period. Always review terms before committing
If the funeral home is part of a larger network, your plan may transfer. If not, prepaid funds should be held in a trust or insurance policy, allowing you to use them elsewhere. Always confirm where your money is held.
Can I use life insurance to prepay for my funeral?
Yes, many funeral homes accept life insurance policies as payment. Some offer pre-need funeral insurance specifically for this purpose. You can also designate a portion of an existing life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses.
Funds in an irrevocable funeral trust or designated pre-need funeral insurance policy are typically protected from creditors and Medicaid asset limits. However, a revocable plan may count as an asset.
Funds placed in an irrevocable funeral trust or designated pre-need funeral insurance policy are generally protected from creditors and do not count as assets when applying for government assistance programs, such as provincial social assistance or long-term care subsidies. However, revocable funeral plans may be considered part of your estate and could impact eligibility for financial aid. It’s important to review provincial regulations, as rules vary across Canada.
Yes, you can document both options if you are undecided. However, if you prepay, you’ll typically need to choose one, though some flexible plans allow for adjustments later.
Yes, you can document both options if you are undecided. However, if you prepay, you’ll typically need to choose one, though some flexible plans allow for adjustments later.
What is included in a preplanned funeral package?
A preplanned package often includes:
Disposition choice (burial or cremation)
Casket or urn selection
Funeral or memorial service details
Cemetery plot or columbarium niche (if applicable)
Transportation and preparation of remains
Yes, green burials and eco-friendly cremation options (such as aquamation) are available in many areas. You can specify biodegradable caskets, natural burial sites, or other sustainable choices in your plan.
Yes, most preplanning forms allow you to document personal details like music, readings, religious or secular service elements, and other preferences.
Yes, direct cremation and direct burial are often the simplest and most affordable preplanning options. These plans skip embalming and formal services, reducing costs.
While working with a funeral home simplifies the process, you can make private arrangements, such as purchasing a burial plot independently or using a cremation society. Ensure your loved ones know your wishes and how to access necessary services.
You typically need:
A written funeral preplan document
A prepaid contract (if applicable)
A will or estate plan (optional but recommended)
A list of key contacts for handling arrangements
Tell your closest family members, executor, and/or attorney. Some people also inform their chosen funeral home or religious leader.
Keep copies in a safe place, such as a fireproof box, and ensure your family or executor knows where to find them. Avoid placing them in a safe deposit box, which may be inaccessible upon your passing.
Yes, but since wills are often read after the funeral, it’s better to share your funeral wishes directly with family and in a separate document.
Approach the conversation with care, emphasizing that preplanning reduces their future stress. Reassure them that it’s about making things easier, not being morbid. Learn how to have this conversation.
If you’ve legally documented your wishes, they are typically binding. However, open discussions can help address concerns and ensure everyone understands your decisions.
Preplanning eases the burden on your loved ones, allowing them to focus on grieving rather than making rushed funeral arrangements. It can also help prevent family disagreements over final decisions.
