Pre-planning is something nearly everyone has some interest or awareness of but so often the next step, the questions, and the serious consideration just feel too serious or scary.
If you aren't aware of what Pre-planning is, it's the ability to write out and document your decisions about what you want your own funeral to look like (i.e. if you want to be buried or cremated, what services you want, etc...). If you finalize your plan and pay for or fund your plan, you will pay today's costs and your expenses will not go beyond the cost at the time of planning and signing.
We have two incredible gentlemen on our team that specialize in Advance Planning or Pre-Planning. I thought hearing from them directly about what this process looks like, what their meetings feel like, and how their clients describe the feeling after their meeting.
Below are the questions I asked, and below are the responses from our Advance Planners, Shawn and Luis.
- What are the primary goals and concerns for the people who preplan with you?
- How long would you say the average pre-planning experience is from first contact to finished contract?
- What are your goals for the people you preplan with?
- What feelings or sentiments do your clients express after they've preplanned?
- Why should someone preplan?
Shawn's replies are in the rusty orange and
Luis' replies are in dark blue.
1. What are the primary goals/concerns for the people who preplan with you?
Most people come to us with two things in mind: they don't want to be a burden — financially or emotionally — on the people they love, and they want the chance to tell their own story while they still can. Underneath that is usually something quieter: they've seen a family fall apart over decisions made in grief, and they refuse to let that happen to their own.
Most people want to protect their family from having to make difficult decisions during a time of personal loss and emotional stress. Prearranging a funeral helps reduce uncertainty, eases emotional burdens, and provides clear guidance for loved ones when they need it most.
We often refer to preplanning as a
"Final Gift of Love"—an intentional act of consideration that spares family members from unnecessary hardship during one of life's most difficult moments.
Many people also recognize the financial advantages of planning ahead. By making arrangements in advance, they can secure today's pricing and help protect their family from the effects of future inflation.
2. How long would you say the average pre-planning experience is from first contact to finished contract?
It can take as little as an hour and a half, or as long as a family needs. We aim for efficiency, but we never sacrifice intentionality for speed — this is too important a step to rush just to close a file.
For most families, the entire pre-arrangement process takes between
60 and 90 minutes.
Simple arrangements can often be completed in about an hour, while more comprehensive plans—including cemetery property, personalized ceremonies, or the transportation of remains—may take closer to 90 minutes.
Most importantly, our process is never rushed. We move at each family's pace, allowing plenty of time for questions, thoughtful discussion, and informed decision-making. Our goal is for every family to leave feeling comfortable, confident, and fully informed.
3. What are your goals for the people you preplan with?
There are really three things we're focused on: serving the family now and in the future, providing a clear and transparent path to what we call the last act of love, and helping bring more awareness to this kind of planning in the community we're proud to serve.
Our primary goal is to educate, guide, and empower every family we serve by helping them understand the value and benefits of planning ahead.
Our Preplanning Directors provide clear, transparent information regarding state laws, regulations, funeral options, pricing, and our internal processes. We believe informed families make confident decisions.
Ultimately, our mission is to build trust, inspire confidence, and provide lasting peace of mind—both today and when the time of need eventually arrives.
4. What feelings or sentiments do your clients express after they've preplanned?
Relief, almost always — you can see it leave their shoulders. A lot of people describe a real sense of peace, even freedom, like a low hum of dread has finally gone quiet. And sometimes there's quiet pride, too, in having taken care of the people they love.
Without question, the comment I hear most often is:
"If I had known the process was this simple and easy, I would have done it years ago."
Many families tell us they carried anxiety or postponed planning for years simply because they didn't know what to expect. Once they complete the process, they often describe feeling relieved, empowered, and grateful that the uncertainty has been replaced with clarity.
Personally, one of the most rewarding parts of my work is hearing families express how thankful they are to have finally completed something they had intended to do for so long. Knowing they have provided this final act of love and preparation for their family brings them tremendous peace of mind.
5. Why should someone preplan?
Because grief and decision-making don't mix well. Preplanning is what separates them — it turns a dozen high-stakes choices made in 72 hours of shock into decisions made calmly, on your own terms. It isn't really about death. It's about protecting the people you love from ever having to guess what you would have wanted.
Each person's reasons for preplanning are unique, but the benefits are universal. Planning ahead allows individuals to make informed decisions on their own terms while providing invaluable support to the people they love most.
Some of the most meaningful benefits include:
- Clearly documenting your wishes for your final disposition and funeral services.
- Ensuring your voice and personal preferences are honored after your passing.
- Reducing the emotional burden and number of difficult decisions your family must make during a time of grief.
- Eliminating or significantly reducing future financial obligations by arranging and funding services in advance.
- Protecting against future cost increases through today's pricing.
- Providing lasting peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
Ultimately, there is no single "right" reason to preplan. Each person arrives at the decision through their own life experiences, family circumstances, and personal values.
The role of a Preplanning Director is not to pressure anyone into making a decision. Rather, it is to educate, answer questions with honesty and compassion, and walk alongside each family until they are ready to cross the finish line—on their own terms and at their own pace.
If you are interested at all in pre-planning, both Shawn and Luis are here for you. They have the answers to your questions and are happy to be of help, whatever the need. To learn more about our Advance Planning Team, you can
click here or call (949) 581-4300 to start the conversation.
Currently, through the month of July, 2026 our Advance Planners do have a discount they can offer to anyone interested in pre-planning. In honor of the country's 250th birthday, a $250 discount is available.
