There are over 100 decisions to be made at the time of a loved one's death. Unfortunately, those assorted questions most often need to be answered immediately by a distraught and grieving relative of the deceased. "If I only knew what mom would have wanted" is sadly the most common phrase heard by our funeral directors. Planning in advance relieves loved ones of the burden associated with making these decisions. It also allows you to rest, knowing that your wishes will be abided. You can also pre-pay, in addition to pre-planning the funeral. This again takes the financial and emotional burden off of the grieving family members.

The Funeral Planning Guide

"A funeral is a service of worth, a rite of passing, a ceremony for those one leaves behind to afford them a chance to say good-bye.."

"From the beginning of Mankind, the many different civilizations and cultures have marked Death in as many different rituals."

About this Guide:

It is the intention of this guide to assist anyone contemplating arranging a funeral, whether it is one's own, a relatives' or a friend's. It attempts to provide information helpful in making the three major choices: The Funeral Home, The Final Disposition and Service, and the Time and Method of Funding.

Cooperative Funeral Fund, Inc. offers a Pre-Need Trust and Insurance Program to Funeral Homes and their clients. However, it is not our intention to influence your choice, just to provide you with the information so that you are aware that you have a choice.

Funeral Planning is something that will be done at least once for everyone. In many cases, it is done by somebody else after the individual has died. For surviving loved ones, this is a very difficult task as they are still trying to sort out their emotions and deal with their loss.

Planning one's funeral in ADVANCE has been an accepted course of action for hundreds of years. There are many benefits to making Pre-Arrangements.

Making funeral arrangements in advance (Pre-Arrangements) greatly reduces the burden and stress, placed on a surviving loved one, of having to make difficult decisions while dealing with grief.

Pre-Arranging one's funeral assures the person that his personal preferences are heeded as to where the funeral and burial or other final disposition will take place. Further, it assures one that the service will reflect their personal beliefs, standards and lifestyle.

As it is your family that will be most affected by your death and subsequent funeral, be sure to involve them in your thought process. Get together with your family and discuss the pertinent issues surrounding your eventual passing: Your Will, the Funeral, the Cemetery, and any wishes you may have.