Whenever someone asks me about preplanning, I cannot emphasize enough how important
it is. It is not just my opinion—many families have told us, “I wish we’d done this sooner” or
“I’m so glad my parents took care of this.”
Think about this: When a person passes away and has not made prior arrangements,
arranging for the disposition of their mortal remains becomes the unwanted but inevitable
responsibility of someone else. You see, it is never a matter of if it will be done, but rather
when and by whom.
Preplanning your burial arrangements allows for a matter of choice rather than necessity.
It ensures that your wishes are known, so your loved ones do not have to wonder about
what you would have wanted. Preplanning provides the opportunity to make decisions in a
more relaxed setting, enabling you to choose what best meets your needs and helps to
avoid emotional overspending.
Preplanning helps you and your loved ones avoid rising costs by locking in today’s prices
and keeping that financial burden from falling on a family member later. While life
insurance can help cover funeral expenses, it does not provide the peace of mind that
comes from knowing everything is already taken care of.
Even if you think your budget does not currently allow for pre-paying, you are still able to
pre-plan. Make an appointment to visit the cemetery, look at the options that are right for
you and your family’s budget, ask questions, gather pricing, and write these items down.
Any cemetery that is looking out for you, would write out your preferences and provide
current pricing for you to take with.
Tim Kolasa
Executive Director
Gethsemane & St Mary Cemeteries
tim@gethcem.com