The pre-planned funeral is an opportunity to carefully plan for an orderly conclusion of life. It is not a difficult or complicated task and it can give one peace of mind. It can eliminate some of the anxiety which can accompany a death.

Simply, pre-planning is a practical way of determining an individual's wishes for a funeral in advance. The pre-planned funeral provides the opportunity to decide the type of services preferred and outline instructions for final arrangements.

If you are planning your own funeral, pre-planning can also serve as a guide to family and friends. That foresight can be invaluable in a time of stress. In advance of need, you and your family can discuss together, decide together and act together, on what will meet everyone's needs, with regards to a funeral service.

It should be noted that any type of funeral can be pre-planned and this can be done at the funeral home or in the convenience of your own home, if you prefer.

Most people plan for an orderly conclusion to life with a will, adequate life insurance benefits and pension plan. The pre-planned funeral is a kind of sensible planning. The greatest advantage is that through pre-planning, choices can be made in a less emotional setting. These choices include the professional services required, the type of casket, suggestions for the funeral service and preference for earth burial, entombment or cremation. Decisions made in advance of need can be made with less haste and without anxiety over a death and the pressure of immediate decisions.

When a death occurs, a period of adjustment begins for the family and friends. The pre-planned funeral saves them the task of making important decisions on final arrangements during a time of emotional stress. Pre-planning a funeral is a practical idea that makes sense. Statistics for l989 show that 15% of funerals conducted had been pre-planned. Each year this percent increases.

Funerals can be pre-planned and prepaid through our funeral home. The planning process will be little more than a discussion. Think of it as an open and frank conversation in a relaxed environment. Trust and openness are integral parts of this relationship. When you meet with our funeral director to discuss a pre-planning, there will be two steps to the process. The first is an informal question and answer session where you begin to determine and understand your requirements. Next is the more formal exchange of information and recording of your wishes. A record of your wishes will be kept on file for future reference and may be revised upon request. We would caution against only recording your wishes in your will. It is often not possible to have the will available when needed. Your family or executor should be notified of any preferences and where your pre-planning have been made.

Where there is a definite preference, or where there isn't likely to be any survivors to make the funeral arrangements, and you want assurance that your wishes will be followed, the pre-planned funeral certainly has merit. Pre-planning can save needless misunderstanding and expense.

There are several important things you should consider. You may wish to carefully consider the type of arrangements you will require in consultation with family, friends or clergy as well as our funeral director. You will probably want to follow religious practices as expected by your church. Be considerate of your family members that will be left behind by discussing your ideas with them and allowing them to offer their suggestions. Make general suggestions that can be adapted or adjusted to make the funeral more meaningful to the participants. Don't be overly restrictive to those you love with impractical or impossible requests. Be flexible. You should think of your arrangements as suggestions that will assist those who will be involved at the time of death. Consider also, that the major reason for the funeral rite is to allow the survivors the opportunity to meet their own emotional and psychological needs. Therefore, while the funeral is of the person who has died, it is also for the survivors.