The Fundamentals on Planning
Your Own Funeral in Advance

But here’s the tricky part: how do you even bring it up? Death isn’t exactly dinner-table conversation, and no one wants to be the one to ruin the mood. Still, this discussion can prevent confusion, stress, and even family conflict later. The key is approaching it with care, clarity, and a little strategy.

Not sure where to start? Here are some simple, effective ways to open the conversation and make it meaningful; not overwhelming.

Thinking about your funeral might feel uncomfortable. But here’s the reality; preplanning your funeral is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your loved ones. It lifts the burden of making difficult decisions during an already painful time. It also ensures your wishes are honored, whether that means a traditional service, a cremation with a memorial, or something more unique.

More than that, funeral preplanning provides financial clarity. Funerals can be expensive, and costs can add up quickly. When you plan, you get to control those costs, preventing last-minute financial stress for your family. Plus, prepaying for services at today’s prices can help you avoid rising costs in the future.

Most importantly, preplanning means your story gets told the way you want it. Do you want a celebration of life rather than a solemn gathering? A playlist of your favorite songs? A final resting place that holds deep personal meaning? These details matter, and planning ensures they aren’t left to chance.

By breaking it down into simple steps, you can create a plan that brings peace of mind to both you and your loved ones.

This is the foundation of your plan, shaping many of the decisions that follow. Would you prefer a traditional burial, cremation, or a green burial?

Traditional Burial requires choosing a casket, a burial plot, and often a headstone or marker. Many families opt for this because it provides a physical place to visit and remember their loved ones. 

Cremation is a flexible option that allows ashes to be stored in an urn, scattered, or incorporated into keepsakes like jewelry. GetUrns has a variety of funeral urns and memorial jewelry, thoughtfully curated out of high-quality materials, to honor your loved ones in a meaningful way. It typically costs less than a burial and provides more flexibility in timing for memorial services.

Green Burial focuses on environmentally friendly practices, avoiding embalming chemicals and using biodegradable caskets or burial shrouds. If sustainability is important to you, this is a meaningful choice. We also offer a variety of biodegradable cremation urns made from natural materials like recycled paper, salt, sand, and plant-based compounds, designed for earth and water burials.

Take your time researching each option, considering personal beliefs, cultural traditions, and financial factors before deciding.

Funerals are deeply personal, and they don’t have to follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Consider the type of service that best reflects your values and personality:

• Do you prefer a traditional religious service in a place of worship?
• Would you rather celebrate a life filled with music, stories, and joyful remembrance?
• Should the event be small and intimate, or do you want an open gathering for all friends and family?
• Will there be any cultural or military honors incorporated into the service?

Think about the details: where it will be held, who will speak, and whether you want specific music, readings, or symbolic elements like a candle-lighting ceremony. These choices ensure your farewell feels meaningful and authentic

Once you have a general idea of what you want, start researching funeral homes. Not all providers offer the same services, and prices can vary significantly. Contact multiple funeral homes and compare:

• Service packages and pricing transparency
• Whether they accommodate cultural or religious preferences
• Options for funeral prepayment plans and financial planning
• Online reviews and recommendations from others who have used their services

If you decide to prepay for funeral services, read the contract carefully. Ask whether prices are locked in or if additional costs might arise later.

A funeral plan is only helpful if people know about it! Create a document outlining your decisions and store it in a safe but accessible place. This could be:

• A written funeral directive
• A section in your will (although wills aren’t always read immediately)
• An online funeral preplanning service

Make sure at least one trusted person; whether a spouse, child or close friend; knows where to find these documents when the time comes.

Funerals can be expensive, but prepayment can lock in today’s rates and reduce the financial burden on your family. However, this isn’t always the best option for everyone. If you prepay, choose a reputable provider and ask:

• What happens if you move or change your mind?
• Are funds placed in a trust or insurance policy?
• Are there cancellation fees?

If prepayment doesn’t seem like the right fit, setting up a payable-on-death (POD) bank account or life insurance policy designated for funeral costs is another way to ensure funds are available.

This might be the hardest step, but it’s also the most important. Conversations about death can be emotional, but they provide clarity and reassurance for loved ones. Set aside time to talk with your family and let them know:

• Your choices regarding burial or cremation urns
• The type of service you’d like
• Where they can find your funeral plan documents
• Any prepaid arrangements you’ve made

This ensures your wishes are followed and prevents family members from having to make tough decisions in a moment of grief. Here's a full-fledged guide on how to choose the right cremation urn if you wish to opt for one.

Gone are the days when funerals followed a single template. Today, you have more choices than ever, allowing you to create a farewell that reflects your life and values. Here are some of the most common options, each offering different benefits:

A traditional burial involves a casket, a burial plot in a cemetery, and often a formal service. If this is your preferred choice, consider:

• The cost of the casket, burial plot, and headstone
• Whether you want a mausoleum, crypt, or in-ground burial
• Cemetery rules and regulations (some require specific types of markers or vaults)

Burials offer a permanent place for family and friends to visit, making them a meaningful option for many.

Cremation is becoming more popular due to its affordability and flexibility. After cremation, you have several options for the remains:

• Keeping them in a decorative funeral urn at home
• Scattering in a meaningful location
• Placing them in a columbarium niche
• Dividing them into smaller keepsake urns or jewelry

Some people even choose biodegradable urns for ashes for eco-friendly scattering or burial. Cremation allows families to hold services at any time, making it easier for loved ones who live far away to attend.

If you want an eco-conscious approach, a green burial minimizes environmental impact. Key features include:

• No embalming chemicals
• Biodegradable caskets or burial shrouds
• Natural cemeteries without concrete vaults or traditional headstones

Green burials offer a simple, natural return to the earth and are growing in popularity for those who value sustainability.

Not all funerals need to follow a traditional format. A celebration of life focuses on joy, memories, and storytelling rather than somber rituals. These events can include:

• A casual gathering with photos and music
• A memorial in a meaningful location (like a park, beach, or family home)
• Personal elements such as favorite foods, video montages, or handwritten letters from loved ones

This type of service allows for a deeply personal and uplifting farewell.