How much does cremation pre-planning cost per month?

Cremation pre-planning through After.com starts as low as $25/month with no money down. Three plan tiers are available: Base ($25/mo), Crest ($30/mo), and Summit ($40/mo). Payment terms are typically 3-year or 5-year installments, or you can pay in full upfront. All plans include the core cremation service, transportation (25 miles), a dedicated care specialist, secure refrigeration, a cremation container, online obituary, and a year of grief support. Higher tiers add price-lock guarantees, travel protection, premium urns, and death certificates.

What does a basic cremation plan include?

A basic cremation plan from After.com includes everything needed for a complete direct cremation, starting at under $1,000 for immediate need. That covers: safe transfer of your loved one into their care, all required legal authorizations and permits, dignified cremation, a temporary scattering urn on request, a cremation container for those under 200 lbs, secure refrigeration for 3 business days, return of remains via USPS Priority Mail with tracking or local courier, an online obituary listing, a dedicated care specialist, and one year of grief support. What it does not include: embalming, viewing, funeral ceremony, casket, burial plot, or headstone.

What do I do when someone dies at home?

If your loved one dies at home without hospice, call 911 first, then call After.com at 844-905-2639. Emergency personnel will respond and make an official determination. Once that is complete, After.com coordinates pickup from your home. If your loved one is under hospice care, skip 911 and ask the hospice nurse to contact After.com directly. The nurse will coordinate the transfer, and After.com typically arrives within 1 to 2 hours. You are allowed to remain at home with your loved one for up to 24 hours before transport is required. After.com staff arrives in a discreet van, dressed professionally.

What do I do when someone dies at a hospital or in hospice care?

Notify the hospital or hospice facility that you have chosen After.com, and they will coordinate the release directly. You do not need to arrange transportation yourself. For hospice care at home, ask the hospice nurse to call After.com at 844-905-2639. Pickup typically happens within 1 to 2 hours. For hospital deaths, inform the hospital staff of your choice and the facility will authorize the release to After.com once paperwork is complete. After.com handles the transfer, documentation, legal permits, and all next steps. If your loved one pre-planned with After.com, the process moves even faster because their wishes and information are already on file.

How long does the cremation process take from start to finish?

The complete process from death to return of remains takes approximately 3 weeks, though it is often faster for pre-registered or pre-paid families. After.com picks up your loved one and places them in a climate-controlled facility within 24 hours. They then gather all required legal authorizations and permits, which depends on county processing speed and doctor certification timelines. The actual cremation happens in the days immediately following authorization. Remains are returned via USPS Priority Mail with tracking or local courier. Death certificates typically arrive within 2 to 3 weeks after cremation is completed.

Does the cremation company pick up the body?

Yes. After.com handles all transportation as part of their cremation service. Their team arrives in a discreet van, dressed professionally, and transfers your loved one safely into their care. Transportation is included for up to 25 miles in all plans. For at-home deaths under hospice, pickup typically happens within 1 to 2 hours. For hospital or facility deaths, After.com coordinates directly with the institution once they authorize the release. Your loved one is placed in a climate-controlled facility within 24 hours. You do not need to arrange any transportation yourself.

What happens to the body before cremation?

Your loved one is picked up by After.com's team, transported in a discreet van, and placed in a dignified climate-controlled facility within 24 hours. After.com does not perform embalming. The body is safely held in refrigerated storage while the team gathers all required legal authorizations, permits, and documentation. Once authorizations are complete, cremation happens in the days immediately following. There is no viewing or funeral service beforehand unless you arrange one separately. The body is cremated in a simple cremation container included in the plan for those under 200 lbs.

Do you need a funeral service before cremation?

No. Direct cremation means cremation happens without a viewing or funeral service beforehand, and that is exactly what After.com provides. You have complete flexibility to hold a memorial, celebration of life, or gathering on your own terms, either before or after cremation. Many families choose to hold an informal memorial at home, a park, or a meaningful location days or weeks later, without the time pressure and cost of a traditional funeral home service. If you do want a formal viewing or service before cremation, you would need to arrange that through a traditional funeral home separately, as After.com specializes in direct cremation only.

Why is direct cremation so much cheaper than a funeral home?

Direct cremation eliminates the most expensive components of a traditional funeral: embalming ($725+), casket ($2,400+), burial plot ($2,000+), vault ($1,400+), and venue and staff fees ($2,100+ base). The median traditional funeral costs nearly $9,000 according to the NFDA. Direct cremation involves a single transfer, the cremation itself, and return of remains. The simplicity is the savings. You can still hold a memorial or celebration of life separately, on your own terms and budget, without paying funeral home markup.

Is cremation more affordable than traditional burial?

Yes, significantly. Direct cremation can cost under $1,000, while the average traditional burial costs approximately $7,848. That is a savings of $6,000 or more. Traditional burial expenses include embalming ($725+), a casket ($2,400+), a cemetery plot ($2,000+), vault ($1,400+), headstone, gravedigger fees, and ongoing maintenance. Cremation eliminates all of those. After.com keeps costs low by operating online with upfront, transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Pre-planning locks in today's price and can be spread over monthly payments starting at $25/month.

What if I cannot afford cremation?

After.com offers flexible monthly payment plans through Lilypay with 3, 6, or 12 month installment options so you do not need to pay the full amount upfront. For pre-planning, you can start at $25/month with no money down. For immediate need, contact After.com at 844-905-2639 to discuss payment options. After.com direct cremation pricing is under $1,000 in many areas, which is already a fraction of the $7,848 average traditional funeral cost. Other options to explore: some states have indigent cremation programs through the county, veterans may qualify for VA burial benefits, and some nonprofits offer emergency funeral assistance.

Does life insurance pay for cremation?

Yes, life insurance can pay for cremation, but there is a timing problem: death benefits typically take weeks or months to process, and cremation costs are due upfront. That is why After.com recommends a separate pre-paid cremation plan even if you have life insurance. With a pre-plan, the cremation is already funded through a dedicated final expense insurance policy, so your family pays nothing out of pocket when the time comes. If you are relying on life insurance for an immediate need, your family will likely need to cover cremation costs upfront and wait for reimbursement. After.com offers flexible payment plans through Lilypay with 3, 6, or 12 monthly installments for immediate-need families.

Can I get cremation insurance or pre-plan with pre-existing health conditions?

Yes. After.com pre-plans use a final expense insurance policy, and acceptance is generally available regardless of health status. Unlike traditional life insurance that requires medical underwriting, preneed and final expense policies typically have simplified or guaranteed acceptance. The tradeoff is a two-year contestable period: if you pass within the first two years, the full benefit may not be paid out. After that period, you are fully covered. Pre-existing conditions do not disqualify you from pre-planning.

Does a cremation pre-plan transfer if I move to another state?

Yes. After.com pre-plans include out-of-area protection, and the underlying insurance policy is valid nationwide. Your premiums are paid to a national insurance carrier licensed in all 50 states, so your coverage follows you. Crest and Summit plans specifically include nationwide or international travel protection. If you want to switch funeral providers entirely, the policy can also transfer to another funeral home. You are not locked into After.com. When evaluating any preneed contract, always confirm it has a transfer clause so you can move without penalty.

Do I need my spouse or family approval to pre-plan my cremation?

No. You do not need anyone's permission to pre-plan your own cremation. A cremation pre-plan is a personal decision and a legal agreement between you and the provider. You are the policyholder and can designate any beneficiaries you choose. That said, informing your family is strongly recommended so they know your wishes and can act on your plan when the time comes. After.com allows you to name multiple beneficiaries and record your preferences so there is no confusion later.

How do I pre-plan cremation for myself without it feeling morbid?

Reframe it as a gift to your family, not a reminder of death. You are recording how you want to be remembered and celebrated, which is an act of love, not dread. The entire arrangement can be done online in minutes from your couch, so there is no somber funeral home visit. Focus on what you are preventing: your family making rushed $9,000+ decisions while grieving. Many people find that once it is done, they feel genuine relief. Think of it like writing a will: uncomfortable for five minutes, then peace of mind for years.

How does my family use my pre-planned cremation when the time comes?

Your family simply calls After.com, and the team handles everything from there. After.com files a claim with the insurance provider to access your policy benefit and coordinates all arrangements: transportation, authorizations, cremation, and return of remains. Your recorded wishes guide the process so your family does not have to make difficult decisions under pressure. The entire process typically takes less than two weeks. If the policy is fully paid, there is no cost to your family.

What if I miss a payment on my cremation plan or cannot afford monthly payments?

If you pass before completing payments, premiums already paid remain available toward your cremation services, with any shortfall owed by your family. There are no penalties for paying off your policy early, and you can choose 3-year or 5-year installment terms starting at $25/mo. If you have paid more than the cost of services, the excess is returned to your family. The key risk of lapsed payments is during the two-year contestable period. Contact After.com directly to discuss hardship options rather than simply stopping payments.

Can I change or cancel my cremation plan after I sign up?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund within 30 days of signing. After the 30-day window, no refunds are available on premiums already paid, but the money stays allocated toward your future cremation services. You can pay off your policy early with no penalties, and the policy can be transferred to a different funeral home if you change providers. You have a risk-free month to decide, and even after that, your money is not lost.

What is included in a cremation plan and what is not?

All After.com plans include: honorable cremation, transportation (25 miles), secure refrigeration (3 business days), a cremation container, a temporary scattering urn on request, an online obituary, a dedicated care specialist, and one year of grief support. Not included unless you upgrade: price-lock guarantee (Crest and above), premium urns, death certificates beyond one, travel protection, fingerprint preservation, and financial account discovery. The Base plan carries a $75 administrative fee. Weight surcharges may apply over 200 lbs. Viewings, embalming, and funeral ceremonies are not part of any plan.

What is the difference between After.com and Neptune Society?

After.com is a fully online, transparent-pricing cremation provider. Neptune Society is a traditional preneed cremation chain with in-person sales and local offices. After.com lets you arrange everything online in minutes with upfront pricing, while Neptune Society typically requires consultations and has been known for sales pressure. After.com premiums go directly to a national insurance carrier, which protects your money if the provider ever closes. After.com plans start at $25/month. Both offer direct cremation. The core difference is a modern, transparent experience versus a legacy model.

How do I talk to my family about pre-planning my cremation?

Lead with your reason. You are doing this to protect them, not to be morbid. Frame the conversation around relieving their future burden: you do not want them making $9,000 decisions while grieving. Share that you have already looked into it and have a plan, which makes the conversation feel proactive rather than heavy. Cover where your documents are, what your wishes are, and who to call. Many families find the conversation brings relief and closeness. Pick a calm, everyday moment and keep it short.

How do I get a death certificate after cremation?

After.com orders death certificates on your behalf once the death is officially registered with the County Health Department. Certified copies typically arrive within 2 to 3 weeks after cremation is completed, though timelines vary by county processing speed and how quickly the attending physician signs off. The Crest plan includes 1 complimentary death certificate and the Summit plan includes 4 with 12 months of error protection. You will need certified copies for closing bank accounts, filing insurance claims, transferring property, and settling the estate. Most families need between 4 and 10 copies. Order enough upfront because reordering later takes additional time.

Can you divide cremation ashes between family members?

Yes, cremation ashes can be divided among family members. There are no laws prohibiting it, and it is a common practice. A typical adult cremation produces 3 to 7 pounds of remains, which is more than enough to share. You can use smaller keepsake urns, jewelry pendants, or other memorial containers to distribute portions among loved ones. After.com provides a temporary scattering urn with their plans, and you can purchase additional keepsake urns from any retailer. Just ensure the primary recipient listed on the cremation authorization agrees to the division.

What can I do with cremation ashes, including scattering?

You have many options: keep them in an urn at home, scatter them in a meaningful location, divide them among family, or transform them into memorial keepsakes. Common choices include scattering at sea, scattering in nature, planting with a memorial tree, placing in a columbarium niche, or burying in a cemetery. Keepsake options include cremation jewelry, glass art, diamonds, or reef memorials. After.com provides a temporary scattering urn on request with all plans. Always check local ordinances before scattering on public property. Many families choose a combination: keep some, scatter some, and share the rest with loved ones.

What do real customers say about After.com?

After.com holds a 4.9 out of 5 star rating across 932+ reviews, making it one of the most highly reviewed cremation providers in the areas it serves. Families consistently praise After.com for its transparent pricing, compassionate care team, and the simplicity of arranging everything online during an overwhelming time. Customers value that the price they see is the price they pay, with no surprise fees at a vulnerable moment. The high rating spans all service types: immediate need, passing soon, and pre-planning.

Is My After Prepaid Cremation Plan Safe?

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If you've paid into an After plan, or you're about to, you want to know the money will be there when your family needs it. Here's the short answer.

Yes. Your After plan is funded by an insurance policy with a licensed, state-regulated insurer, not by money After holds. Your premiums go directly to our national insurance provider, and the policy pays for your prepaid cremation services when the time comes. Your plan belongs to you, it moves with you, and it stays in force no matter what. Thousands of families have planned ahead with After, and this page walks through exactly how their plans are protected.

Already have a plan? You don't need a new quote to get help. Jump to the documents your family should have, or call us any time, 24/7, at 1-844-717-5170.

"Very easy and satisfying process experience. Peace of mind that when end of life occurs there is a prepaid answer and course of action in place."

Frank Callies, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2025

What have I actually bought?

An After prepaid plan is built from a few parts, each with its own protection:

The insurance policy: The money that pays for your services. It's issued by our national insurance provider and named on your policy certificate.
The cremation service agreement: The services you chose and the price. The licensed After company in your state stands behind it.
The payment schedule: How much you pay, how often and for how long. We typically offer 3-year and 5-year payment plans, or you can pay upfront, with no prepayment penalties.
Price lock (Crest and Summit packages): Your selected services at today's price, guaranteed by the After company named in your agreement.
Travel protection (select packages): Transportation home if you die away from home, so your family isn't left arranging it.

Who is the insurer? Your insurer is named on your policy certificate. If you can't find it, call us and we'll tell you.

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A few terms, in plain English

Premium: What you pay for the insurance policy.
Death benefit: What the policy pays when the insured person dies.
Policy owner: The person who controls the policy, usually you.
Beneficiary or assignee: Who receives the benefit. With a prepaid cremation plan, the funeral provider is the main beneficiary so it can pay for your services directly, and any excess goes back to your family.
Contestable period: A standard 2-year window during which the insurer can review the application for accuracy. It's not a waiting period, and it's the same on every plan.

"Took time to answer all my questions. He didn't make me feel rushed in anyway. Explained the Insurance Policy to me before signing or initiating said policy."

Cheri Pritchard, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2024

Where do my payments go?

Your premiums are paid directly to our national insurance provider. After doesn't hold them. The funeral provider receives no money until after you die, and that money can only be used for your cremation services. Because your money sits with a licensed insurer, it's protected independently of After's own finances. That's the safest structure available for a prepaid plan, and it's the key difference from a funeral trust, where money is paid to the funeral home itself.

Want to see it for yourself? Call the insurer with your policy number and they'll confirm the policy is in force, who owns it, who the beneficiary is and that your premiums are paid to date. It takes about 10 minutes, and we're happy to help you make the call.

"Fast and easy online sign-up. The sales rep. Camron who called was very nice and helpful. The price is great and so is the peace of mind knowing that our death costs are paid in full."

Cari Smith, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2024

What happens if After closes or stops serving my area?

Your money is safe. Your policy is with the insurer, not with After. If anything ever happened to After.com, your policy would stay in force with our insurance carrier and the death benefit would still be paid under the policy's terms. Policies can also be transferred to any funeral home, so your family always has a path forward.

Your price lock is a promise from the After company named in your agreement, so if your family chose a different provider, that provider would set its own prices and the policy benefit would be applied there. With After, your price stays locked for as long as we serve you.

Life insurers are licensed and regulated by the states, and every state backs policyholders through a guaranty association if a licensed insurer is ever liquidated. It's an additional safety net behind an already rare event.

"With my father's policy already set up, all we had to do was contact After.com; they handled everything and let us know what we needed to take care of."

Ada Guerrero, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2026

"Person who I dealt with to purchase policy was knowledgeable and very helpful. Brittnie who dealt with me after my wife died did a great job in coordinating and informing me of the process. And she did it in a professional and courteous way."

Arlo McDowell, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2025

Ada and Arlo describe a plan doing exactly what it's meant to do. The family made one call, and After filed the claim with the insurer and took care of everything else.

What happens if my circumstances change?

Life changes, and your plan is built to change with it:

I move outside After's service area. Your policy moves with you. It can be transferred to another funeral home anywhere in the country, and we'll help you make the switch. If you move into one of our service areas, we can transfer a policy you already hold to After, too.
I die while traveling. Standard transportation covers the local distance listed on your GPL, and select packages add travel protection that brings you home from anywhere.
I die before all payments are made. If your payments are current, the insurance may cover the full cost of your services once the 2-year contestable period has passed. If payments aren't current, everything you've paid still goes toward your services.
I want to change provider or beneficiary. Your policy is yours. The policy owner signs a simple change form, and the insurer updates it.
The policy pays more than the bill. Any excess is returned to your family.
My family can't find the plan. One call to After and we'll pull it up. Even better, share copies now using the checklist below.

"Representative Brandon did all the leg work necessary to transfer our NGL policy from Texas to Arizona. He made the whole process quick and easy. Brandon also helped us with additional travel coverage that we didn't previously have. Thanks for everything Brandon...."

BLE, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2024

"The simplicity of the product and its options together with very competitive pricing made our prearrangements simple to understand and affordable. The International travel protection was very important to us and our families. Finally, the associate I worked with was easy to understand and very patient."

DeWayne Rosene, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2026

What does the price guarantee cover?

Our Crest and Summit packages include a price lock: the services and merchandise you select today are guaranteed at today's price, no matter how far in the future they're needed. Our Base package is the simplest, lowest-cost way to put a funded plan in place and is priced at the time of service. Your agreement spells out which one you have, and a Care Specialist can confirm it in a minute.

With a price lock, here's what's covered:

Locked: The services and merchandise you selected.
Pass-through items: Government fees and certified death certificates are set by the county and state, so they're billed at cost at the time.
Where it applies: With the After company named in your agreement.

Clear totals, up front: Before you sign, your Care Specialist shows you the down payment, the monthly amount, the number of months and the total you'll pay, side by side with the package price. No surprises.

"What stood out most was the clear pricing — the upfront cost structure made it easy to understand exactly what was included and what wasn't. The team also took the time to respond directly to all my questions via email, which was extremely helpful for my documentation and records."

Kim S., Trustpilot, 5 stars

"Friendly, knowledgeable people made pre-planning and purchasing my cremation easy. Good value with the price lock guarantee."

Sunshine Dawn, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2023

"I felt great setting this all up, and relaxed & felt greatly relieved to get the top package.. so little money for such sublime peace of mind.. now locked in the price and so ready and easy for my kin when the inevitable occurs! Just do it."

Mark Greer, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2024

Can I cancel, and what would I get back?

You can cancel for a full refund within 30 days of signing, no questions asked. There are no prepayment penalties, so you can pay your plan off early whenever you like. After the 30-day window, premiums you've paid stay with the policy and continue to fund your services. If your state gives you additional cancellation rights, those apply too.

How to cancel: Call us at 1-844-717-5170 or send us a written request. We'll confirm what you'd receive, handle the paperwork with the insurer and send you written confirmation. If you'd rather pause or adjust payments than cancel, call us first. We can usually find an option that keeps your plan in place.

"Great experience. Jonah is congenial and knowledgeable. I didn't feel pressured or rushed into any services I don't need. I searched for five months for the right prepaid cremation plan. I'm very happy that I finally found a place I'm comfortable with. Highly recommended."

John Hibbard, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2023

Which documents should my family have?

This is the most useful 10 minutes you can spend on your plan. Keep these together and give copies to the person most likely to make arrangements:

Insurer name and policy number
Names of the policy owner, insured and beneficiary
Assignment paperwork
Your signed service agreement and itemized selections
Payment schedule and receipts
Price-lock terms, if your package has them
Travel-protection terms, if your package has them
Phone numbers for After and the insurer

Missing something? Call us, 24/7, at 1-844-717-5170 and we'll send copies of your agreement and policy details.

"Andrew Whittle, Preplanning Specialist – After, was patient in the extreme with my questions and completing the paperwork. He made it happen for my spouse and myself."

Stevan, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2026

"I was just looking for a preplan policy for myself, and the gentleman (Cole) that helped me was just awesome. He was very helpful with my questions and quick to send me through email my documents."

Evelyn James, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2023

Why families choose to plan ahead with After

Your choices are recorded. Your family won't have to guess what you wanted.
Your money is protected. It sits with a licensed insurer, in your name, until it's needed.
Your price can be locked. Crest and Summit packages guarantee today's price for tomorrow's services.
Your family makes one call. We file the claim, handle the permits and paperwork, and bring your loved one into our care.
It's affordable. Spread payments over 3 or 5 years, or pay upfront, with no prepayment penalties.

For a deeper look at how a prepaid plan compares with other ways to prepare, read Pros and cons of prepaid cremation.

"Making advanced preparations and prepaid arrangements was a breeze. The performance of taking care of mom and delivering her ashes to me was helpful. The paperwork and documents were all handled with care. The reassurance of their staff and comforting condolences helped. Thank you to everyone who helped us."

T Burgess, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2024

What families say about planning ahead

After holds a 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 1,300 reviews, and pre-planning families consistently describe the same thing: patient answers, no pressure and real peace of mind.

"5/5 stars. Brandon provided exceptional guidance, making it seamless for me to select the ideal plan for my husband and me. His professionalism, expertise and gentle demeanor impressed me. I now enjoy peace of mind, knowing our family's future is secure and free from unnecessary burden."

Norine Petrivelli, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2024

"We had a stellar experience working with Cole during our pre-planning. I never felt pressured during the process. The communication was excellent and all questions were answered succinctly and clearly. We both feel confident and secure taking this important step."

Margie Hidalgo, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2024

"Jake was very helpful in acquiring a prepaid service. Kindly walked me through the paperwork and the no-nonsense services they provide. I have peace of mind now, knowing what to do/who to call when the day comes."

scampbell, Trustpilot, 5 stars, 2025

"Corbin was very helpful and I trust the process."

Hal Ballard, Google review of our Mesa, AZ location, 5 stars (review)

Frequently asked questions

Who is my insurer?

Your insurer is named on your policy certificate. If you can't find it, call us at 1-844-717-5170 and we'll tell you.

Is my money held by After?

No. Your premiums are paid directly to our national insurance provider, and the policy pays for your services when they're needed. If anything ever happened to After, your policy would stay in force with the insurer.

Can another funeral home use my policy?

Yes. Your policy is yours and can be transferred to any funeral home. With After, your price lock and package benefits stay exactly as you set them up.

Is the price guarantee transferable?

The price lock is a promise from the After company in your agreement, and it's included with our Crest and Summit packages. If you ever moved, we'd help you transfer your plan to the After company serving your new area.

What if I cancel?

You get a full refund if you cancel within 30 days of signing. After that, the premiums you've paid continue to fund your services. If your state's law gives you more time, that applies. Call us and we'll walk you through it.

What if I die before my plan is paid off?

If your payments are current, the insurance may cover the full cost once the 2-year contestable period has passed. If payments aren't current, everything you've paid still goes toward your services.

Next steps

Gather your plan documents in one place, then call if anything's missing. If you're still deciding, see what planning ahead costs in your area.

Help with an existing plan: Call Us, 24/7: 1-844-717-5170. Have your name and policy number ready.
See Our Pricing for planning ahead
Checking us out first? Read Is After.com legit?

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Dallin Preece

CRO, After.com - Cremation & Preplanning Divisions

Published Date:

October 27, 2026

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