For many people, the thought of meeting to talk about funeral pre-planning is intimidating, and maybe even a little uncomfortable. Some worry they’ll be pressured to make decisions on the spot. These are very understandable. However, if you’re considering having this conversation, know you’re among a thoughtful, but still minority, group of people. At LifeSource, we’ll never pressure you, at any point of the ongoing conversations. We will instead act as a guide as you explore options, no matter where you are at in the process. For many people, a pre-planning meeting is just a starting point. It’s very common to begin the planning process, gather information, share it with family members, and then make decisions later. Our goal is to provide clarity and information, simply.
Some people start the conversation because they or someone they know recently experienced a loss and had to make arrangements without a plan in place. Others are planning ahead after attending a service or helping a parent with arrangements. And sometimes people simply want peace of mind for the future. Understanding what prompted the visit helps guide the conversation.
Many people are surprised to learn that pre-arrangements are funded through an insurance policy. Funds are set aside specifically for funeral expenses so that when the time comes, the financial responsibility and decision-making is already made. We’ll walk you through how the process works and answer any questions you may have.
If you already have ideas about your service or disposition, we’ll discuss them. If you’re not sure yet, that’s completely okay. We can explain different options and help you understand what each one involves.
Some people already know they prefer terramation, aquamation, cremation, burial at sea or natural burial. The meeting is simply a chance to learn.
Based on what you’ve shared, we can develop an estimated price for your plan. This allows you to understand the financial side of your choices and explore payment options, if you choose to move forward. Again, there is no obligation to finalize anything, especially during the first meeting.
What you bring depends on where you are in the planning process.
You don’t need to bring anything at all, just your questions. Many people attend their first meeting simply to learn more before deciding if they want to move forward.
If you decide you’d like to finalize a plan, we’ll need some basic information, including:
This information is used for documentation and to help ensure that the time that you and your family are in our care is as smooth as possible. We won’t have to ask for these details from your family as they’re experiencing their loss.
We encourage families to include as many details as they’d like in their plan. This can include things like:
However, these details don’t have to be decided right away. Many people choose to document their wishes gradually using resources like our free Green Funeral Planning Guide, which allows you to write down ideas and update them over time.
Pre-planning doesn’t have to happen all at once. It can unfold at your own pace. At LifeSource, we encourage you to approach pre-planning as a process rather than a single event. Each step you take brings clarity and peace of mind, and is ultimately a gift to those you love.
This blog is a part of a series on pre-planning:
Part 1: Why Families Choose to Pre-Plan End-of-Life Arrangements
Part 2: What to Expect During an End-of-Life Pre-Planning Meeting (this blog)
Part 3: Spring and Tax Season: A Natural Time to Think About End-of-Life Planning
