Funeral and Memorial Planning

It can be overwhelming to have to make the many decisions that come with funeral and memorial planning while also dealing with the grief of losing a loved one. Because of that, it has become increasingly common to pre-plan one's own final services including the type of service desired, people to involve, religious preferences and other details. You and your family will keep a copy of these preferences and the funeral home will also keep a copy.

Planning Funerals in Advance

Pre-arrangement is the planning of a funeral service before the need arises, often years before death occurs.  A funeral director records your wishes for the type of service desired, people to involve, religious preferences, and other details. You and your family will keep a copy of these preferences and the funeral home will also keep a copy.

Learn more about the benefits of pre-arranging, common types of funeral services, questions you can ask your funeral director and a list of additional resources that can help you as you decide if pre-planning is for you.

Financing Funerals in Advance

Financing your funeral in advance can offer several advantages. Just as many people plan ahead for retirement, a child’s education and other life events, paying in advance for funerals can offer several conveniences.

We've compiled a list of factors to consider before selecting a funding option, how to pay for a funeral in advance, questions to ask your funeral director and a list of additional resources.

Pet Memorialization

A pet funeral or memorial service is a gathering of grieving family members and friends who have come together in support of one another to pay tribute to the life of a beloved animal companion. Many experts believe that holding some type of ceremony or ritual can help us cope with the loss of a treasured animal friend.

Whether you choose burial or cremation for your pet’s final disposition, what’s right for you will depend on your personal preferences and the regulations in your area. We've compiled a list of ways in which you can memorialize your pet that you may not be aware of, common elements of a pet funeral or memorial service, questions to ask your funeral director and a list of additional resources.

'Green' Funerals

A green funeral is a service that minimizes potential harm to the environment while honoring the one who has passed on.

Until about the mid-1800s, families cared for their deceased loved ones themselves. The family would bathe, dress and place their loved one’s body for viewing in their parlor, where others could visit and pay their respects. The body would be viewed and buried without being embalmed. Wooden caskets were also more popular than today's steel counterparts.

Although relatively few people had ecological concerns about burial prior to the 20th century, a small but growing number of families today are choosing simple, biodegradable burial materials. Products or services described on this page may vary by state/province.

Learn more about the various types of green funerals that have developed in recent years, their various environmental benefits, questions to ask your funeral director and a list of additional resources.