Pre-planning a funeral (also known as preneed) is a funeral plan that is made while someone is living. Pre-planning a funeral can be done at any time. You can do it by yourself or with a family member. It can also be helpful to enlist the support of a funeral director if you have any questions or need advice about different options. 

When you pre-plan you can make big decisions, such as whether you would like to be buried or cremated, where you would like the service to be held, or where you would like your final resting place to be. But you can also make smaller decisions such as what kind of food you would like served or what songs you would like played. 

Pre-planning a funeral has many benefits. 

You can give yourself and your family peace of mind. Many people have definite ideas about what they want or do not want to be done surrounding their death. It can provide comfort to know that you have written down your desires. And it can be comforting to your family knowing that are able to honor your wishes. 

You can save money. When the time comes to plan a funeral, there is often little time allowed for shopping around. Many families may rush to plan a funeral which may lead to paying higher costs. Pre-planning can allow you that time to shop around and compare prices. 

You can be more financially prepared. If you know what your funeral plan will cost, you can find ways to start paying for it. You could visit a funeral home to set up a pre-need plan where you pay the costs of the funeral outright while you are still living. You could also look into other payment methods such as setting up a savings account or purchasing insurance. Either way, you take much or all of the financial burden off your family members. 

You can save your family time and stress. Grieving is already difficult and having to plan a funeral or memorial service for a loved one can make this time even more challenging. By having a plan in place, you free your family up to focus on supporting each other. 

It can help prevent family conflict. When a family member passes away unexpectedly, family members are often left having to guess what they would have wanted. This can lead to disagreements. If you are concerned there may be disagreements on funeral or burial practices within your family, having a plan in place can be very helpful.

To begin pre-planning your funeral, start by writing down your thoughts and wishes. Make sure to keep your document in a safe and accessible place. If you have any questions or need advice, contact your funeral director who can help you get started.