The conversation worth having before it has to be had.

Most of the families we serve had planned at least a little — even the ones who say they hadn't. A passing note about the music. A casual remark about wanting to be buried in the cemetery off Route 322 with their parents. A preference about a hymn that came up at someone else's funeral.

Pre-planning gathers those scraps into one piece of paper. It tells your family what you wanted, so they don't have to guess at the worst week of their lives. It also has the practical benefit of locking in the cost, if you choose to pre-fund.

How it works

1. Conversation.

An hour. At your kitchen table, at the chapel, or at the diner on Pine. Sarah will tell you she'd rather the diner — they have good coffee and the booths are quiet. No charge, no obligation, no salespitch about a $9,000 casket.

2. Record.

We go through a plain paper form together. Service or cremation. Religious or not. Cemetery or scattering. Music. Readings. Charity for memorial donations. The people you'd want to speak. We write it down in your own words.

3. Storage.

The record is filed at the chapel and a copy goes home with you. If your family ever needs it, it's here. If you change your mind in five years, come back and we'll redo it. No charge for that either.

Pre-funding (optional)

If you'd like to pre-pay the cost — many families do, both for the family's peace of mind and to lock in today's prices — the pre-funded amount goes into a Pennsylvania state-regulated trust, dollar-for-dollar against the eventual bill. The funds are not held by us; they are held by a state-regulated trustee. We never touch the principal.

If you move to Florida or Vermont or Arizona, the funds transfer to any licensed funeral home in any state. You don't lose the money. The plan goes with you.

I'd rather meet you at the diner. They have good coffee and the booths are quiet.
— Sarah

Frequently asked questions

How does pre-planning work?

Three steps: conversation, record, storage. About an hour total.

Does it cost anything?

The conversation is free. Pre-funding is optional and goes into a state-regulated trust at face value.

What if I move?

The pre-funded amount transfers to any licensed funeral home in any state. The plan goes with you.

Can my family change the plan?

Yes. A pre-plan is a record of wishes, not a binding contract. Your family can adjust details if circumstances require it on the day.