From Kennett Square to Landenberg, PA, funeral homes offer pre-planning services with myriad benefits to families. It makes things easier on your family, and you get the funeral you want. 

But it’s important to get the planning right to take full advantage. These tips will help. 

Learn how funerals work 

You can’t plan a funeral without knowing how it works. Since most people have zero knowledge about the intricacies of a funeral, the best place to start is learning what’s involved. 

Generally, a funeral has three distinct components: taking care of the corpse, the ceremony, and the interment. Each part has several options embedded within. 

For instance, if you want an in-ground burial, you must decide if you want to embalm, the type of casket, if there will be a viewing, etc. Every option has its pros and cons, and understanding them will help determine which one suits your finances and vision the most. 

This is especially important because your family and the funeral home may not be able to execute your wishes to the last detail. Understanding what’s possible and what’s not will help you craft a flexible, executable plan. 

Compare prices and services 

One of the significant benefits of pre-planning your funeral is you have enough time to shop around. Since the need is not immediate, you’re not too emotionally overwhelmed to settle for the first funeral home you find. 

Take your time to compare prices and what you’re getting in return. Shortlist funeral homes and inspect their environment. 

Don’t have the free time to inspect in person? Visit their websites. Also, the Federal Trade Commission requires funeral homes to quote prices over the phone. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for a price breakdown. 

Lastly, use your social network. Ask for references from friends, neighbors, and colleagues. This step may save you thousands of dollars. 

Make financial arrangements 

Speaking of saving money, you don’t have to pre-pay for your funeral plan. While it has its advantages, it does come with its own risks. You may relocate, or the funeral home may go out of business. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the financial benefits of pre-planning. You can set up a payable-on-death account. The money will only be released to your designated beneficiary when you die. 

Another option is creating a prepaid funeral insurance plan. Instead of a funeral home, you will be saving the money with a reputable insurance company that will only pay it out after you pass. 

This way, you’ll still be able to help your family avoid the burden of dropping the lump sum required to execute your wishes. 

Carry your family along 

Finally, whatever plan you come up with is no good if your family is not on board. Without their agreement, your family could opt for a different arrangement. This is especially true if you want cremation, which still hasn’t achieved universal acceptance. 

Make your family part of the process and after resolving any differences, put your plans in writing. Everyone will be on the same page and know what is expected of them when the time comes. 



In all, the most important thing is to work with a funeral home that makes the pre-planning process smooth and pain-free, and that’s what we offer. 

If you’re in Landenberg, PA, start pre-planning your funeral with our funeral home by filling this form or giving us a call. We are available 24/7, and our caring staff is here to help.