Someone’s passing is one of life’s most difficult experiences. In those moments of sorrow, families often are faced with the added stress of funeral arrangements, which can be extremely challenging to decide during emotional pain. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss funeral pre-planning and how it can help you plan a meaningful funeral and avoid the stress of sudden arrangements.
What Is Funeral Pre-Planning?
Funeral pre-planning is the process of creating detailed decisions about what to include in your funeral in advance. By planning well ahead, you can ensure that your future funerals include all requested details, honored exactly as intended, while removing the pressure from your loved ones of last-minute decisions in times of grief.
Why Funeral Pre-Planning Is Important
It Reduces Stress for Your Loved Ones
The unexpected death of a loved one leaves families in deep sadness, and making funeral arrangements on the spot, such as choosing service style, venues, flowers, music, and so on, will add to an already difficult and tragic situation. Funeral preparation helps to prevent this from happening. By preparing everything ahead of time, the funeral will already be set when the sad day arrives, offering comfort on what will undoubtedly be a difficult day.
It Ensures Your Wishes Are Known and Honored
Funeral pre-planning involves making detailed decisions about what you want to include while you are still healthy and able to communicate your preferences. Without this specific process, families may face conflicting opinions on funeral planning and struggle to make sound decisions. Pre-planning provides guidance, ensuring your service is meaningful and exactly as you have wished.
It Helps You Plan for Costs and Avoid Financial Guesswork
Planning lets you know precisely which options are available and what the associated costs will be. This step will provide clarity and eliminate financial guesswork and other surprises that could become issues in a last-minute situation.
It Creates a Gift of Clarity
Funeral pre-planning is essentially an act of love and caring. Pre-planning lets you think about yourself and your loved ones. Consider it a layer of relief on what will undoubtedly be their most difficult day. Getting all the information straight from the start makes the journey easier for those you care about the most.
Funeral Pre-Planning in Pittsburgh: What’s Unique About Planning Locally?
Pittsburgh funeral pre-planning means sourcing locally for personalized, trusted providers with distinct advantages, such as understanding local regulations and community-focused funeral services. These unique local knowledges also play a big role in creating a fitting tribute, such as incorporating Pittsburgh-specific elements that reflect the city’s rich heritage.
Slater Funeral Service is located in multiple locations throughout Pittsburgh, serving many neighborhoods, and is here to serve local Pittsburgh families.
What You Can Pre-Plan (and What People Often Forget)
Service Type and Structure
There are different funeral service types and structures to choose from: burial, cremation, or a memorial service; with locations at a funeral home, a church, or outdoors; religious or non-religious elements; and visitation and post-service gathering. What people often forget is the full-flow open vs. closed casket, virtual options, or a reception afterward.
People to Notify and Roles
List the persons to notify (usually priority contacts, such as families, friends, and the employer). Assign specific tasks, such as who will speak with the funeral home, deliver the eulogy, serve as pallbearers, manage music or slide shows, or publish announcements. Writing it out eliminates misunderstanding, as many people expect family members to immediately know who to call or which duties feel right.
Written Details That Make a Big Difference 
When providing details, include items such as: obituary basics (key facts about your life), your preferred tone, which photos to use, etc. Also specify preferred charities for memorial donations, instead of—or in addition to—flowers, along with any flower preferences, such as specific types or colors, or a request to skip them entirely. Lastly, capture personal traditions, favorite songs, meaningful readings, cultural customs, family rituals, or unique requests, such as displaying special mementos, including pets in photos, or following regulations for scattering ashes. Documenting all these details helps make the funeral personal and meaningful.
Common Misconceptions About Funeral Pre-Planning
“I’m Too Young to Plan This”
Death is inevitable and in many cases, can be unexpected. It doesn’t come with warnings or respect for age. Therefore, pre-planning is useful for adults of any age. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s,s or up, pre-planning provides peace of mind for you and your family.
“If I Pre-Plan, I Can’t Change Anything”
In contrast to the myth that once you pre-plan, it’s locked, pre-planning is highly flexible. Most funeral homes allow you to review, update, or revise any details of your plan at any time as your preferences, circumstances, or family dynamics evolve.
“My Family Will Already Know What I Want”
Your family may know what you want in the meantime. However, as we progress in life, our circumstances may change. You may develop new preferences that alter how you perceive things and, as a result, how you want them. If you believe your family already knows what you want, there’s no harm in affirming it through discussion and preparing together.
How Funeral Pre-Planning Works at Slater Funeral Services
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A Conversation
Any service, including funeral pre-planning, will first start with a conversation with you. At Slater Funeral, our service is dedicated to you. Therefore, we’d like to hear from you about your needs and preferences, answer any questions or concerns you may have, and discuss the solutions that are most comfortable for you. Furthermore, you can complete this initial phase from any location, including your home, our office, or online.
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Choosing Preferences
The next stage is to select your preferences based on our first conversation. You will be guided by our experienced team through every step of the process, from the kind of funeral ceremony and location to the casket or urn selection and any personal touches you like. We will ensure that no important aspects are overlooked during this procedure.
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Documenting Everything Clearly
Then we document all of the details clearly. This will entail recording personal information, contact lists, family and friend responsibilities, obituary basics, selected charity, and other details. The clear documentation will make it easier for the family to access when the time comes, avoiding confusion and accurately reflecting your intentions.
- Optional Funding Conversations
Finally, we’ll talk about optional funding. If you wish, we can explore pre-funding solutions to protect today’s rates against future rises. However, if you do not wish to go ahead with this option, we assure you that the core plan remains strong.
What to Bring to a Pre-Planning Appointment
Bringing complete preparation to your pre-planning appointment will make the meeting smoother, more efficient, and more focused on your wishes.
Below is the list of information to have ready for a pre-planning appointment:
- Full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number
- Marital status
- Occupation and employment history
- Names of parents, including the mother’s maiden name
- Education level
- Questions or a list of topics you’d like to discuss (e.g., funding options, venue choices, etc).
Questions About Funeral Pre-Planning in Pittsburgh
Is funeral pre-planning the same as pre-paying?
No. Pre-planning is the process of documenting all the details you’d like included, including service type, location, music, readings, obituary details, charities, and family contacts. Pre-paying or pre-funding is an optional step to lock in prices against future inflation, commonly included in funeral pre-planning.
How much does funeral pre-planning cost?
Prices are little to none. Most funeral homes, such as Slater Funeral Service, offer free consultation, guidance, and documentation of plans. Any costs come if you decide to pre-fund the actual funeral expenses.
Can I pre-plan cremation in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Pre-planning is available for various services, including cremation.
How do I start Pittsburgh funeral pre-planning with Slater?
Simply visit our website, fill out the form, give us a call, or visit us at one of our locations. Whichever you prefer, we are here to serve you.
