Funeral Pre-Planning Guide

• Obtain legal pronouncement of death
• Contact a funeral home or mortuary
• Locate important documents (will, insurance policies)
• Notify immediate family members
• Decide between burial or cremation
• Begin making arrangements with funeral home

• Choose type of service (religious, secular, celebration of life)
• Select date, time, and location for services
• Decide on viewing or visitation
• Choose pallbearers if applicable
• Select readings, music, and speakers
• Order flowers and plan floral arrangements
• Prepare obituary and death notices

• Obtain certified copies of death certificate (10-15 copies recommended)
• Notify Social Security Administration
• Contact life insurance companies
• Notify employer and HR departments
• Contact banks and financial institutions
• Cancel or transfer subscriptions and memberships
• Update property titles if necessary

• Meet with estate attorney if needed
• File for life insurance benefits
• Apply for survivor benefits (Social Security, VA)
• Handle probate if required
• Distribute assets according to will
• Close or transfer accounts
• Plan memorial for first anniversary if desired

The average funeral in America costs between $7,000 and $12,000, according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). This includes the funeral home's basic services fee, embalming, viewing, ceremony, hearse, casket, and cemetery expenses. Cremation services typically cost $1,000 to $5,000. These figures can vary significantly based on location, services selected, and merchandise chosen. Urban areas and coastal regions tend to have higher costs than rural or Midwest locations.

Pre-need planning means arranging and often pre-paying for your funeral before death occurs, allowing you to make decisions without time pressure and lock in current prices. At-need planning happens after death has occurred, requiring quick decisions during an emotionally difficult time, often at higher costs. Pre-need arrangements can save families 20-40% compared to at-need purchases and eliminate the stress of making major financial decisions while grieving.

Embalming is not legally required in most states. However, it may be required if: the body will be transported across state lines, there will be a public viewing, the funeral will be delayed beyond a certain timeframe, or the death was caused by certain communicable diseases. Some funeral homes require embalming for viewings. Refrigeration is a legal alternative for preservation in most cases. Always ask about alternatives if you prefer not to have embalming.

Yes, under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must accept caskets purchased from third-party vendors without charging handling fees. You can buy caskets from big-box retailers like Costco, online retailers like Amazon, or specialized casket companies, often saving 50-70% compared to funeral home prices. The funeral home cannot refuse to handle the body or charge extra fees for using an outside casket.

Before meeting with a funeral home, gather: the deceased's Social Security number, birth certificate, military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable, marriage certificate if married, life insurance policies, pre-paid funeral plans or burial insurance, cemetery deed if plot was pre-purchased, a recent photo for the obituary, and information about surviving family members. Having these documents ready expedites the process and ensures accurate death certificates.

Pre-paid funeral plans lock in today's prices for future services, protecting against inflation. Funeral costs have historically risen 4-6% annually. A service costing $8,000 today could cost $11,000-$13,000 in 10 years. Pre-payment options include funeral home trusts, insurance-funded plans, and payable-on-death bank accounts. However, carefully review contracts for portability (if you move), refund policies, and what happens if the funeral home closes.

Key questions include: Can I see an itemized price list (required by law)? What is your basic services fee? Are there package discounts? What are your payment terms? Do you offer price matching? What happens if I move or the funeral home closes? Can I make changes to a pre-paid plan? Do you offer grief support services? What certifications do your staff hold? Can you accommodate specific religious or cultural requirements?

Yes, several options exist for families with limited funds: body donation to medical schools (often covers all costs and may return cremated remains), veteran burial benefits through the VA ($2,000+ toward burial), Social Security lump-sum death payment ($255), Medicaid burial assistance in some states, crowdfunding campaigns, direct cremation or immediate burial without services, and county indigent burial programs for those who qualify financially.