Most of the families we serve have planned ahead — even the ones who are sure they haven't. They left a note about the music. They told their daughter, once, what kind of casket. They mentioned the cemetery in passing. They picked the readings for their parents' funerals and never said whether they would want the same for their own.
A pre-planning conversation gathers those scraps into a record, and adds the parts no one ever thinks to mention. Where the will is. Who the executor is. Whether the obituary should mention the first marriage. What hymn at what point. Whether the children should be the pallbearers, or whether that is too much to ask of them.
It is not a sales meeting. It is not a survey. It is a conversation in a kitchen, or in the front parlor of the chapel, with one of the directors and a cup of coffee and a piece of paper that, when the time comes, will save the people who love you a great deal of difficulty.
How it works
Conversation
One of our directors meets with you — at the chapel, at your home, or by phone — for about an hour. We listen. We ask questions. We take notes. There is no form to fill out and no commitment of any kind.
Record
We translate the conversation into a written record: your wishes, your selections, your contacts. You review it, edit it, and approve it. A copy goes home with you. A copy stays at the chapel.
Storage
The record is kept on file indefinitely. You may update it whenever you wish. If you choose to pre-fund a plan, the funds are held in a state-regulated trust. If you do not, no payment is required until the time of need.
There is no charge, and there is no obligation. There is, however, a great deal of relief.
Pre-funding, if you choose it
Some families choose to pre-fund — that is, to pay for the funeral in advance, either in a lump sum or over time. The funds you contribute are held in a Pennsylvania state-regulated trust, earn interest, and are applied dollar-for-dollar against the cost of services when the time comes. There is never a charge from us for the planning itself; we are paid only for services rendered. If you move, the funds transfer to any licensed funeral home in any state, with no transfer fee from us.
Pre-funding is optional. Many families simply leave the written record on file and let the funds be paid at the time of need by the estate. Both work; the choice is entirely yours.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything?
The conversation is at no charge. There is no obligation, ever. If you choose to pre-fund, you pay only what you contribute, and that amount is held in trust until the day comes — every dollar applied against your final bill.
Can I change my plan later?
Yes, at any time. Most families revisit their plan every five to seven years.
What if I move?
Pre-funded amounts transfer to any licensed funeral home in any state. There is no transfer fee from us.
Is pre-funding required?
No. The written record alone is what most families choose.