It can be heavy to think about end-of-life planning, but it’s also one of the kindest gifts you can give your family. Funeral preplanning means deciding in advance how you want your funeral or memorial to look.

It matters because it removes guesswork at a difficult time. For example, your loved ones won’t need to wonder if you wanted a burial or cremation, a church service, or a simple gathering.

Preplanning gives you control over costs, ensures that your family honors your wishes, and gives your family peace of mind when they need it most.

Not sure whether a funeral or a cremation is the right choice? We’re here to help you around the clock to talk through your options with transparency and care. Our team at After is always available. You can call us anytime at 1-844-760-0427.

‍

{{cta_blue}}

‍

What Is Funeral Preplanning?

Funeral preplanning is the process of making key decisions about your end-of-life arrangements before the time of need.

Instead of leaving your family to guess, you can record details such as whether you prefer burial or cremation, the type of service you’d like, and any personal touches that reflect your life. 

At its core, preplanning is about relieving loved ones of difficult decisions during a moment of grief.

Planning vs. Prepaying

Preplanning and prepaying are related but distinct steps:

• Planning means documenting your wishes in writing. This includes what you want, who to call, and how you’d like things handled.
  
  
• Prepaying means paying in advance for those services, usually through a contract with a funeral home or cremation provider.

You can plan without prepaying, but prepaying often gives families two advantages: locked-in prices at today’s rates and clarity about financial responsibility. 

Many families choose to combine both, but it’s important to evaluate whether a prepaid plan fits your financial and personal circumstances.

Making Funeral Arrangements in Advance

Preplanning has become increasingly common for two main reasons:

1. Rising costs: The cost of funerals has grown steadily over the past two decades. Families who preplan and sometimes prepay can protect themselves from inflation and avoid emotional overspending when making impulsive decisions in the moment.
   
   
2. Peace of mind: When someone documents everything they want, it spares loved ones from second-guessing your wishes or debating among themselves.

A prepaid funeral plan typically covers professional services from a funeral home or cremation provider. This often includes:

• Transport and care of the deceased
• Required paperwork and permits
• Use of facilities (if you hold a service at a funeral home)
• Merchandise such as a casket or urn

Some prepaid plans also guarantee prices for these items, meaning you won’t pay more if costs rise later. However, plans usually exclude third-party costs like cemetery fees, obituary notices, flowers, or catering.

This is why it’s essential to review the contract carefully and ask for a written breakdown of what it includes.

Benefits of Preplanning a Funeral

Helps With Emotional Relief

Funeral preplanning reduces stress for loved ones because decisions are already made. Families do not need to debate service details or wonder what you wanted. They can follow your instructions and focus on grieving instead of planning.

Provides Financial Control

Funeral preplanning provides financial control by letting you set a budget and compare providers in advance. Prepaid plans can also lock in today’s prices. This protects families from inflation and prevents overspending when emotions run high.

Allows Personalization

Funeral preplanning allows personalization by giving you the chance to choose details that reflect your life. You can decide music, readings, location, or whether you want a simple cremation or a larger service. These choices create a farewell that matches your values and personality.

Potential Disadvantages of Prepaid Funerals

Prepaid plans can be helpful, but they work best when you understand the limits and fine print. Here are the common pitfalls with practical fixes and quick checks.

Some Items Not Included

A prepaid funeral does not cover every expense. Providers limit coverage to the items listed in the contract, and families often face extra bills for services outside that scope. Specific exclusions depend on the provider and state law, but most plans leave out the following:

• Cemetery costs like plot, opening and closing, vault or liner, marker, or inscription
• Venue and gathering expenses like location rental, catering, flowers, and printed programs
• Obituaries and notices like newspaper publication fees
• Cash-advance items like third-party charges such as medical examiner fees or copies of vital records
• Keepsakes and upgrades like premium urns, caskets, or other merchandise that the contract doesn’t mention

Ask your service provider for a written itemization of what the plan does and does not cover. If you want simple, transparent pricing, compare providers using this cremation planning guide, and review After’s pricing for what it includes.

Possible Contract Issues

Reading the contract is important because prepaid plans often have limits. A price guarantee may only apply to certain items. Refunds and transfers may include fees. Without reviewing the contract, families might incur hidden costs and conditions.

Lack Of Clarity

If you do not tell your family about prepaid arrangements, they may not know which provider to call. They may also pay for duplicate services. Sharing the provider’s name, contract details, and document location prevents confusion.

Flexibility 

Future flexibility matters because life circumstances change. Some prepaid contracts are hard to transfer or cancel. If you move states or change your wishes, you may face extra costs. Asking about transferability and refund terms protects against these issues.

Funeral Pre-planning Checklist

Print or copy this section into your notes. Tick the boxes, fill the blanks, and share a copy with your next of kin or executor.

Service Preferences

• Traditional funeral (service with burial)
• Memorial service (service without a casket present)
• Direct cremation (no ceremony at a funeral home)
• Simple gathering at home/community space (describe below)

Details to Include

• Music/playlist: ______________________________
• Readings/prayers/poems: ______________________
• Speakers/officiant: __________________________
• Photos/slideshow notes: ______________________
• Dress/tone (e.g., casual/black/bright colors): __________________
• Donations in lieu of flowers (charity/cause): __________________
• Obituary preferences (short bio, key points): __________________

Disposition Decisions: Burial Or Cremation

Burial

• Cemetery/plot (name, section, deed info): __________________
• Casket preferences: __________________
• Marker/inscription notes: __________________

Cremation

• Preferred provider: __________________
• Urn/container preferences: __________________
• Final placement (home, niche, cemetery, permitted scattering): __________________

Choosing A Provider

•  Licensed and in good standing
•  Transparent, all-inclusive price in writing (no hidden fees)
•  Clear list of what’s included (transport, care, permits, basic urn/casket, death certificates)
•  Clear list of what’s not included (cemetery fees, venue, flowers, newspaper notices)
•  Typical timelines explained
•  24/7 phone support available
• Compare transparent pricing options.

Documenting Wishes

• Store this funeral pre-planning checklist in a clearly labeled folder (physical + digital).
• Share file locations with next of kin/executor.
• List key contacts (family, faith leader, attorney, financial advisor).
• Keep photocopies of ID and relevant documents (if applicable).
• Keep any required authorization forms per local law/provider.

Quick Fill-Ins

• File location (physical): __________________
• File location (digital): __________________
• Next of kin / executor: __________________
• Backup contact: __________________

Cost Notes & Payment Options

• Budget cap: US$ __________________
• If prepaid: Provider / Contract # / Date: __________________
• What the contract covers (and excludes): __________________
• Refund/transfer terms: __________________

Funeral Preplanning Costs

Funeral costs often exceed $7,800 in the United States. Burial represents the most expensive option, while cremation usually costs less. The difference can save families several thousand dollars.

Average Cost of Cremation

A direct cremation alone costs between $1,000 to $3,000 on average, depending on the provider and services included. Families save money by avoiding embalming, caskets, burial vaults, and cemetery plots.

The average funeral cost including a cremation is often about $7,000.

Some families redirect those savings to a celebration of life event or other family needs.

Average Cost of Burial

Burial costs about $7,000 to $12,000 for a traditional funeral with viewing. The NFDA breakdown shows where the expenses add up:

• Funeral home’s basic service fee: $2,300
• Transporting remains to the funeral home: $350
• Embalming: $775
• Preparation (makeup, hair styling): $275
• Facilities and staff for a viewing: $450
• Facilities and staff for a funeral ceremony: $515
• Casket (metal, average): $2,500
• Burial vault: $1,572

With these costs combined, the total often exceeds $8,737, and that does not include a cemetery plot, headstone, or obituary notices. Price shopping between providers is essential because funeral homes may also suggest premium upgrades that raise the final bill.

Alternatives To Consider

Location, provider, and service type affect how much you pay. Urban areas usually charge more than rural ones. Costs also rise when families add services such as a memorial, upgraded urn, or cemetery marker.

Final expense insurance and prepaid funeral contracts help families control spending. Insurance provides funds for end-of-life costs, while prepaid plans lock in today’s prices. Both options prevent last-minute financial stress for loved ones.

Cremation offers the lowest cost for most families. Choosing direct cremation instead of burial saves more than $1,000 on average.

How to Start Preplanning a Funeral

You start preplanning a funeral by breaking the process into small, manageable steps. Each step removes uncertainty and makes things easier for your family.

Step 1: Write Down Your Wishes in Detail

Start with the basics: Do you want burial or cremation? Would you prefer a funeral service, a memorial, or no formal ceremony at all? Once that is clear, add personal touches:

• Music or readings you want included
• Who should speak or officiate
• What type of gathering feels right (church service, graveside, or a simple gathering at home)
• Charities or causes for donations in lieu of flowers

Tip: Don’t try to write everything perfectly the first time. Even a one-page outline is better than leaving nothing at all.

Step 2: Compare Providers Before You Choose

Funeral and cremation costs vary widely, even within the same city. Call or review at least two providers and ask for written itemized pricing. Look for:

• What it includes: Things like transport, permits, basic container, care of the deceased
• What it excludes: Cemetery fees, flowers, newspaper notices, catering
• Whether they guarantee prices if you prepay

Tip: Ask providers if they offer flat-rate packages like After’s direct cremation options, which simplify pricing and reduce hidden fees.

Step 3: Decide Whether to Prepay or Document Only

You do not have to pay in advance to make your plan official. There are two main paths:

• Document only: You record your wishes and let your family pay at the time of need. This option works best if you want flexibility or already have cremation insurance to cover expenses.
  
  
• Prepay: You pay for specific services now and lock in today’s prices. This option helps control costs but requires reading the contract closely to understand what it includes.

Tip: If you’re unsure, consider a middle ground. You can document everything now and revisit the prepay option later.

Step 4: Share the Plan With Family

The most common mistake in preplanning is not telling anyone about it. Share copies of your plan with your next of kin, executor, or a trusted friend. Give them:

• The provider’s name and phone number
• Location of your written plan (digital folder + paper copy)
• Insurance or prepaid contract details, if applicable

Tip: Place a physical copy of your plan in a folder and label it “Funeral Instructions” with your important documents. Families often overlook digital files in times of stress.

Step 5: Review and Update Every Few Years

Plans you make today may not fit your future. Review your notes every 3–5 years or after major life changes (a move, marriage, or loss of a spouse). Update contact details for providers, refresh your service wishes, and confirm whether your financial plans are still sufficient.

Keep your plan simple and clear, not overly detailed or confusing. Avoid locking in extras your family may not need (such as expensive caskets or upgrades).

Finally, leave notes about your values. This can include wanting a simple, affordable goodbye or a gathering that celebrates community.

Discover How After Can Help With Cremation Preplanning

After helps with cremation preplanning by removing confusion, giving families cost certainty, and offering flexible ways to plan ahead. The focus is on making the process clear, affordable, and aligned with your wishes.

Most families struggle to compare costs because funeral homes add itemized charges and “extra” fees at every step. After simplifies this by offering flat-rate cremation packages that include all essential services. This means no hidden fees and no pressure to upgrade during a vulnerable moment.

Flexible Planning Options

Every family approaches funeral preplanning differently. Some want to pay ahead to secure today’s prices. Others only want to record wishes now and handle the payment later. After supports both paths. You can:

• Document your plan now and keep it on file with After
• Choose to prepay and lock in a package price
• Use LilyPay, a partner program that offers 3-, 6-, 9-, or 12-month payment plans with flat fees and crowdfunding support

Our care specialists are available 24/7 to answer questions, explain what pre-planning funeral arrangements include, and help families compare options without pressure. This is especially helpful if you’re unsure whether immediate services, imminent planning, or prepaid arrangements are right for your situation.

Not sure whether cremation planning is right for you? The team at After is available around the clock to talk through your options with transparency and care. You can call us anytime at 1-844-760-0427

‍

{{cta_blue}}

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Difference Between Funeral Preplanning and Prepaid Funerals?

The difference between funeral preplanning and prepaid funerals is that preplanning means writing down your wishes, while prepaid funerals mean paying for them in advance. You can plan without prepaying, but some families choose both.

How Much Does Funeral Preplanning Cost?

Funeral preplanning costs nothing if you only document your wishes. Costs apply only if you prepay for services or purchase insurance to cover expenses.

What Is Not Included In A Prepaid Funeral Plan? 

What is not included in a prepaid funeral plan are third-party costs such as cemetery plots, flowers, obituary notices, and catering. Always review a written list of exclusions before signing.

Is Preplanning Worth It?

Preplanning is worth it because it saves families stress, prevents overspending, and ensures they honor your wishes. It gives peace of mind at a difficult time.

What Documents Do I Need For Funeral Preplanning?

The documents you need for funeral preplanning include your plan notes, provider information, and any insurance or prepaid contracts. Store copies with your will and share them with next of kin.

Can I Preplan A Cremation Instead Of A Burial?

You can preplan a cremation instead of a burial. Many families choose cremation because it is more affordable and flexible than traditional burial.

Can I Change My Preplanned Funeral Arrangements Later?

You can change your preplanned funeral arrangements later if your provider allows updates or transfers. Review your plan every few years to confirm it still reflects your wishes.

Are Prepaid Funeral Plans Transferable If I Move?

Prepaid funeral plans are transferable if the provider allows it. Ask about transfer policies and fees before signing so you understand your options.

How Do I Talk To Family About My Funeral Preplanning Wishes?

You talk to family about your funeral preplanning wishes by sharing your written plan and explaining your reasons clearly. Honest conversations reduce confusion and help your family with preparation.