PLANNING AHEAD

Why Should I Plan Ahead?

Not everyone likes to plan ahead, but pre-planning your funeral arrangements not only gives you peace of mind about your final wishes being honored but alleviates some of the stress and burden your loved ones are going through as they experience the grief associated with the loss.
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The staff of Hudak-O'Shea Funeral Home is happy to assist you with your funeral pre-need by helping you make decisions about your funeral service in advance and guiding you in helping eliminate some of the unnecessary stress brought on by a loved one’s death.

Secure Online Preplanning Form

SECURE PREPLANNING FORM

Benefits of Preplanning

Planning Ahead Lets Your Wishes Be Known

The death of a loved one often brings about unwarranted stress and turmoil among families. One family member wants one thing, while another family member wants something different. By planning ahead, you help prevent those disagreements by letting your family know what your wishes are and how you want your funeral service to be carried out and your business handled.

Planning Ahead Offers Peace of Mind

Many who have undergone the emotional strain of arranging a funeral within hours of losing a loved one have made the choice to pre-plan their own funeral. Doing so lifts the burden from their loved ones by relieving decision-making pressure at a time of grief and emotional stress.



Funeral arrangements are a deeply personal choice. Pre-planning provides you with the time needed to make practical, detailed decisions that reflect your standards, lifestyle, taste and budget. And we assure you and your family that the choices you make will be carried out as planned.

Planning Ahead Offers Flexible Funding Options by Pre-Financing

When you finalize your plans, we can advise you of the total cost at today's prices. You do not have to pre-pay or pre-finance your plan. However, by setting aside monies for today's funeral costs in an interest bearing account or an insurance product, you can ensure that the necessary funds are set aside for the future. You relieve yourself of unnecessary future worry and your survivors of making difficult decisions, while possibly under emotional stress, and unexpected expenses. Dependent on interest rates and inflation, sufficient funds are most often there to pay for the funeral when the need arises. The longer a person lives, the more likely there will be sufficient and possibly excess funds available to pay for the funeral expenses.

Planning Ahead Relieves The Burden From Family

Following the death of a loved one, there are more than 150 decisions that have to be made within the first day or two following the death. Those stressful decisions on top of the stress of grieving a loss can be eliminated by arranging your final wishes ahead of time. If those decisions are made, your loved ones aren’t left wondering what you would have wanted and how they should proceed with funeral plans. With those decisions out of the way, your loved one can begin the healing process sooner.

Common Questions about Preplanning

  • What steps are involved in prearranging a funeral?

    The first step would be to write down your wishes. Indicate if you would prefer burial or cremation. Write down your ideas for the service you would like, cemetery choice, etc. If you've made those choices, or even if you're unsure, schedule a time to meet with one of our funeral directors who can explain the different service options, merchandise choices, as well as the different ways to pay for the funeral.

  • What information do I need to prearrange a funeral?

    You'll need basic information about yourself or the person you are planning for, such as date of birth, marital status, parent's full names, etc. Besides the biological information, you'll need to choose burial or cremation, what type of service you'd like, what cemetery to use, etc. Our caring staff will help you with this process.

  • Do I have to pay in advance?

    Preplanning is merely making your wishes known; however, most families who do this also choose to pre-fund their funeral. Doing so will relieve the financial burden on your family and offer peace of mind to you.

  • Can I transfer my plans to or from another funeral home?

    If you have plans at another funeral home and would like to move them here, we will help you do that. If you move from the area and would like to transfer your arrangements to another funeral home, we will assist you with that as well.