Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Preplanning

Losing someone we care for impacts us deeply. When dealing with the sorrow of loss, community plays an important role. By gathering to celebrate your life, your friends and family can share the burden of grief with one another and begin to heal.



Planning the details of your final arrangements isn’t about control. It’s about leaving a gift to family members who may be too overwhelmed to make decisions in the moment. If you preplan your funeral service, your loved ones can rest easy knowing they’re doing what you would have wanted. When the time comes to carry out your wishes, the staff at Horan & McConaty will take care of every detail, so your loved ones can be free to focus on being there for one another.

Many people believe they are too young to worry about funeral preplanning, regardless of their age. But there is no right or wrong time to preplan a funeral. While your funeral may be many years away, you can take this time to decide how you want your life to be celebrated on your terms. You can take the time and consideration to create a ceremony that matches your life and how you want to be remembered by your loved ones.

As people grow older, they inevitably change, and things that were once important may not be in the future. So, nothing is set in stone—not even your epitaph! After finishing the plan for a funeral, you can always change your mind. We can adjust the plan to fit any future needs and wishes, so you can relax now knowing your family won’t have to worry over arrangements when the day arrives. And if you move, your funeral plan can easily be transferred to another funeral home of your choice.

Like funerals, the cost of prepaid funeral plans can vary considerably. Your funeral should be designed to fit your personality and the needs of your family, and how much it costs will depend on those details. A large, catered gathering with extravagant flower arrangements and a funeral procession can cost more than a simple, intimate family gathering. 

When you preplan, you save money, no matter how simple or elaborate your services will be. As inflation increases, the cost of funerals rises as well. By prepaying for your arrangements, you lock in your rate and avoid your family members having to spend more when the time comes.

Life insurance policies are primarily designed with income replacement in mind. Claims aren’t always approved in time for the funeral, leaving your loved ones to pay for services up-front and wait for reimbursement. 

When you preplan directly with the funeral home, you avoid the hassles of insurance. You can pay in full as a one-time payment or work out a payment plan with the funeral home. Once the arrangements are paid for, the price is locked in, and your loved ones won’t need to worry about how the expenses will be paid.

Almost every aspect of your funeral can be customized to match your personality and preferences. When you preplan with us, we will walk you through all your options and help you think of ways to create a unique ceremony. From your favorite foods to the music you love to your final resting place, we will help you plan the perfect goodbye. Here are a few examples of the elements that can be customized for your funeral.

Know that you don’t have to plan everything if you don’t want. You can just decide the basics, or what’s most important to you, and your family can add their own meaningful touches later.

Yes. Technically, traditional funerals take place with the deceased’s body present, but memorial services after cremation are very common today. If you still want a traditional funeral, you may, and have the cremation take place afterward.