Is Pre-Planning a Funeral a Good Idea?

Funeral Homes encourage preplanning your own funeral. As with any large decision in life there can be pros and cons to preplanning your own funeral. I remember when my children were approaching the age of decision making for themselves and we would sit down and make a list of the benefits and disadvantages in the decision making process.

The trouble with making your own list of pros and cons regarding funeral planning is that you probably don’t have enough information to create that list to help you decide if it’s right for you. 

In April of 1996, the Funeral Profession Coalition Council of Canada finished a 123 page report that weighed consumer attitudes about funerals and all things related to them.  Butler Research Associates conducted the survey which is referred to in the industry as “The Butler Report”.  Interesting key findings were, with respect to funeral homes, 59% surveyed held favorable attitudes.  However, only 41% said they knew a great deal or a fair amount about funeral homes, and 20% knew almost nothing or nothing at all.  Even though the report was done nearly 20 years ago, I think similar results would occur in a survey today.

Interestingly, the same report broke down the percentages of people making their own funeral plans.  Which camp are you in?

• I’ve thought about it, but I haven’t really done anything. 51% surveyed
• I’ve never thought about it. 24% surveyed
• I’ve got my arrangements made. 21% surveyed
• I plan to make my arrangements in the next 12 months. 5% surveyed

Politics

Liberal leadership race crystallizes as candidates make opening pitches

2h ago

Middle east conflict

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to begin Sunday

5h ago

BODY-WORN CAMERAS

RCMP body cameras aim to build trust, but expert says can be "problematic"

Jan 17, 2025

Most people who are motivated to do their own funeral planning do so following some sort of trigger moment, and are in group number one. The death of a family member, friend or colleague is the most likely event to spur the decision to preplan for oneself.  It is no question that when a death occurs, a prearranged funeral makes decision making easier for the family members left behind. 

Another pro about preplanning is the “peace of mind” factor that it creates. 

There are very few disadvantages to preplanning one’s own final arrangements.  One of those disadvantages is when one’s own funeral plan conflicts with what the family members want to have happen. 

The great debate is “Whose Funeral Is It Anyway?”  I take the approach that the funeral is about the deceased person, but it is for or to the benefit of the people attending it.  The need gap between the pre-planner and their family can be closed by involving everyone in the process from the get go.  By setting aside mortality worries for the time it takes to make the decisions, it can be an incredible gift that isn’t fully appreciated until it becomes necessary. 

Funeral pre payment is a whole separate topic, so I’ll explain that one next column.

Preplanning takes about an hour, costs nothing, and when finished you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it earlier.  Make a call and make an appointment.

Cheers!