How to Get Started With Pre-Need Burial Planning

Not sure what steps you need to take? Follow this step-by-step burial planning guide.

What are the benefits of a pre-need burial plan? Click the button below.

Plan For the Future

Get our free guide to help you start the process

  • Different burial options
  • Helpful tips and advice
  • Why to plan now
  • Securing Peace of Mind
  • How to get started
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Plan For the Future

1: Who Are You Planning For?

The first part of the process is understanding who it is you are burial planning for. While you may be only planning for yourself, often time spouses or entire families will plan ahead together Our Family and Friends Referral Program extends to non-immediate family members and our advisors are also equipped to handle planning for large groups and organizations as well.

Depending on the circumstance, anticipated time horizon, and most importantly the wishes of the person you are planning for, there are few things to consider. If this is a pre-need burial plan for yourself and/or spouse as a way to complete a financial life plan or to take the burden off of your family later, you should complete a funeral planning checklist and speak to one of our sales counselors to begin planning how your life story will be told. If you are planning for a loved one to ensure their final wishes are carried out, you should use this planning guide to capture their thoughts on how they want their legacy to be honored. You can also call and speak to a sales counselor who will help you uncover the important things to consider and plan for. If you are planning for someone who is currently unable to assist with this process due to their condition or personal preference, it would be helpful to have a copy of their living will on hand if it exists so we can identify some of those important things to consider.

1 Planning for Yourself, Spouse and Family

Take Care of Yourself and Your Family

Now that you are thinking about an advanced burial planning, there are a number of things to consider. Our team will help walk through all these important steps so that you and your family truly feel your presence and personality in your memorial service. It's good that you are preparing these things now, because not only does it save everyone from the anxiety of urgent planning in the future, but it really helps families begin to appreciate the moments they have each day even more in the present.

Here are a few things to help us plan with you and your family:

  • Use the burial planning guide to collect your initial thoughts and wishes
  • Think of any personal, religious, or family traditions you would like to have observed
  • Review your long-term financial documents to ensure we develop a plan that is within your plan.
  • Call or schedule a video chat appointment to begin putting your wishes into a formal plan

2 Planning For a Loved One

Help Plan For Someone Close to You

We know that one of the only things that are sometimes more difficult than thinking about and planning for our own end-of-life burial and memorialization services, is planning with and on behalf of a loved one. Based on the feedback of the many families we have helped, there are some very positive results of having these discussions now, far ahead of the need. In addition to allowing your loved one to have control over the way their life story is told, our families tell us that it becomes very enjoyable to discuss and remember the great things their loved one has done over the course of their life so far, and what they plan to still do to impact others.

In order to help with a pre-need burial plan for and with a loved one:

  • Use this list of helpful conversation starters to begin the discussion about advance planning
  • Use the planning guide to help your loved one discover what is most important to them in telling their story
  • Call or schedule a video chat appointment to begin the process of ensuring their legacy will be honored

3 Immediate or Urgent Planning

Taking Care of the Arrangements Before the Time of Passing

We are always sensitive to the feelings of our families that must plan for a loved one who may be close to passing. We will help you through your urgent need so that your loved is remembered properly, and you can take the time to focus on family. As the passing of a loved one is always unwanted, and often unexpected, it is important to us that their last wishes are observed, and their legacy is honored.

Here are a few things to consider as we help you through this process:

  • If there is a living will or document with pre-determined directives, have that on hand to review
  • Call or schedule a video chat appointment to begin the planning process so it will not be a concern when the time comes of your loved one's passing

Take Care of Yourself and Your Family

Now that you are thinking about an advanced burial planning, there are a number of things to consider. Our team will help walk through all these important steps so that you and your family truly feel your presence and personality in your memorial service. It's good that you are preparing these things now, because not only does it save everyone from the anxiety of urgent planning in the future, but it really helps families begin to appreciate the moments they have each day even more in the present.

Here are a few things to help us plan with you and your family:

  • Use the burial planning guide to collect your initial thoughts and wishes
  • Think of any personal, religious, or family traditions you would like to have observed
  • Review your long-term financial documents to ensure we develop a plan that is within your plan.
  • Call or schedule a video chat appointment to begin putting your wishes into a formal plan

Help Plan For Someone Close to You

We know that one of the only things that are sometimes more difficult than thinking about and planning for our own end-of-life burial and memorialization services, is planning with and on behalf of a loved one. Based on the feedback of the many families we have helped, there are some very positive results of having these discussions now, far ahead of the need. In addition to allowing your loved one to have control over the way their life story is told, our families tell us that it becomes very enjoyable to discuss and remember the great things their loved one has done over the course of their life so far, and what they plan to still do to impact others.

In order to help with a pre-need burial plan for and with a loved one:

  • Use this list of helpful conversation starters to begin the discussion about advance planning
  • Use the planning guide to help your loved one discover what is most important to them in telling their story
  • Call or schedule a video chat appointment to begin the process of ensuring their legacy will be honored

Taking Care of the Arrangements Before the Time of Passing

We are always sensitive to the feelings of our families that must plan for a loved one who may be close to passing. We will help you through your urgent need so that your loved is remembered properly, and you can take the time to focus on family. As the passing of a loved one is always unwanted, and often unexpected, it is important to us that their last wishes are observed, and their legacy is honored.

Here are a few things to consider as we help you through this process:

  • If there is a living will or document with pre-determined directives, have that on hand to review
  • Call or schedule a video chat appointment to begin the planning process so it will not be a concern when the time comes of your loved one's passing

2: What Options Do You Have?

There are many things to consider when deciding on your burial plan: what type of burial you would prefer, how and where you would like to be memorialized and cost are just a few of the options.

The first thing to consider is what type of burial you would prefer. Note that not all options are available at all of our properties, so its best to speak to one of our family service counselors at your preferred cemetery or funeral home. However, the most common options are:

  • In-Ground Burial
  • Above Ground in a Private or Community Mausoleum
  • Lawn Crypt
  • Cremation
  • Natural Burial

Not only are there many different types of burial choices, but there are also a variety of funeral service options available as well. Some of the most common include traditional religious services, non-religious services, direct cremation and a green or natural funeral. Again, our family service counselors can help advise you on what options are available and how to pick one that best tells your story.

Needed Burial Items

Vault
Opening & Closing
Marker or Monument
Casket
Urn
Land Burial
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Mausoleum
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Cremation - Land Burial
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Cremation - Niche Burial
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Lawn Crypt
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

Different Ways to Get Started

Our knowledgeable and compassionate family advisors can meet with you in-person at your home or in the cemetery, over the phone or now virtually through a computer or other smart device

Did You Know?

A cemetery can help you with both funeral services and memorization

Many Families are Planning Ahead

According to a study by The Foresight Companies, 73% of consumers say it’s important to have pre-planned funeral arrangements, up from 58%

4: Get Started with Your Pre-Need Burial Plan Now

Ready to get started with your Advance burial plan? Just use the box to the right to find a cemetery near you, fill out some information and get a free burial planning guide. You will also receive a call from a friendly representative to help get you started as well with setting a consultation.

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•Different burial options•Helpful tips and advice•Why to plan now•Securing Peace of Mind•How to get started