Montevista | Questions to Ask When Pre-Planning Your Funeral
Questions to Ask When Pre-Planning Your Funeral
Pre-planning your funeral involves major decisions about services, products, and finances. Asking the right questions ensures you understand your options completely and make informed choices. This guide provides the essential questions to ask funeral homes, cemeteries, and yourself during the pre-planning process.
Questions About Services and Options
Basic Service Questions
What types of funeral services do you offer? Understand the full range from traditional funerals to memorial services, celebrations of life, graveside services, and direct burial/cremation.
Can you accommodate my cultural or religious traditions? If you have specific customs, ensure the funeral home has experience and appropriate facilities.
What is included in your basic services fee? Every funeral home charges a non-declinable basic services fee. Know exactly what this covers.
What facilities do you have on-site? Chapel, visitation rooms, reception areas, preparation facilities, crematory?
Do you handle both funeral services and cemetery arrangements? Some provide complete services; others work with separate cemeteries.
Can services be held at locations other than your facility? Churches, outdoor venues, private homes, etc.
What is your policy on personalization? How flexible are you with music, readings, displays, and non-traditional elements?
Disposition Questions
What cremation options do you offer? Direct cremation, cremation with viewing, cremation with service, witness cremation?
Do you have an on-site crematory or use a third party? On-site provides more control; third-party may mean your loved one leaves the facility.
What burial options are available? Traditional burial, green burial, mausoleum entombment?
What alternatives to traditional burial and cremation exist? Aquamation (water cremation), body donation, home burial (where legal)?
Product Questions
What casket options do you offer and in what price ranges? See the full range from simple to elaborate, and all prices.
Can I purchase a casket from a third-party vendor? By law, funeral homes must accept caskets from outside sources without penalty.
What urn options are available? Traditional urns, keepsake urns, biodegradable urns, and price ranges.
Do you offer rental caskets for cremation? If you want viewing before cremation, rental caskets cost less than purchasing.
What burial vault or grave liner options exist? If burial is chosen, understand outer container requirements and options.
Questions About Costs and Pricing
General Pricing Questions
May I see your General Price List? Federal law requires funeral homes to provide this. Review it carefully.
What is your most affordable option for burial? For cremation? Understand the minimum costs if budget is a concern.
What services or products are required by law vs. by your policy? Distinguish legal requirements from funeral home policies.
What additional costs might arise beyond the services I select? Death certificates, obituary fees, flowers, transportation, cemetery costs?
How do your prices compare to other funeral homes? While they can’t quote competitors, you can ask this to gauge awareness of market.
Cemetery Cost Questions
What are the costs for burial plots in this area? Get specific pricing for the cemetery locations you’re considering.
What are the cemetery’s ongoing fees? Perpetual care fees, opening/closing grave fees, marker installation fees?
Are there package deals for funeral and cemetery together? Some provide bundled pricing that may offer savings.
Questions About Pre-Payment
Contract and Guarantee Questions
Is this a guaranteed price contract or non-guaranteed? This is essential—does pre-paying lock in prices or just set aside funds?
Exactly what is guaranteed if I pre-pay? All services and products, or only specific items?
What happens if costs increase beyond what I’ve paid? Does the funeral home absorb the difference, or does my family pay more?
What happens if costs are less than I’ve paid? Do unused funds get refunded to my estate?
Refund and Cancellation Questions
Is this contract revocable or irrevocable? Can you cancel and get your money back, or is it locked in?
What is your refund policy if I cancel? Full refund, partial refund, what fees are deducted?
How long do I have to cancel without penalty? Many states mandate a cooling-off period.
What are the fees for canceling? Percentage of total, flat fee, no fee?
How are investment earnings handled in refunds? Do you get accrued interest, or does the funeral home keep it?
Portability and Transfer Questions
What happens if I move to another area? Can the contract transfer, or are you locked to this location?
Can I transfer this arrangement to another funeral home? Understand portability terms completely.
Are there transfer fees or penalties? Many contracts charge fees to transfer.
How portable is this arrangement really? Get specifics, not vague assurances.
Fund Protection Questions
How are my funds protected? Trust account, insurance policy, or other mechanism?
What percentage of my payment goes into trust? California requires minimum 80%, but some deposit 100%.
Who administers the trust? What bank or financial institution holds the funds?
What happens to my money if your funeral home goes out of business? Your funds should be protected, but understand exactly how.
Can I see documentation of how my funds are held? Trust agreements, insurance policies, account statements?
What happens to interest or investment growth? Who benefits from earnings on your deposited funds?
Questions About Flexibility and Changes
Can I change my pre-plan later? How easy is it to modify selections?
What are the fees for making changes? Amendment fees, price adjustment fees?
Can I upgrade or downgrade services after I’ve pre-paid? What flexibility exists for modifications?
What happens if I change my mind about burial vs. cremation? Major changes like this—how are they handled?
How often can I update my preferences? Any limits on frequency of changes?
Questions About Your Family
Who do I need to tell about my pre-planning? Best practices for communicating with family.
What documentation will you provide me? Copies of contracts, itemized selections, payment records?
How will my family know to contact you when I die? What systems ensure they find your arrangements?
What does my family need to do to activate this arrangement? Death certificate, phone call, other requirements?
How long does it take to access pre-paid funds? What’s the timeline from death to releasing funds?
What if my family wants to make changes? Can they modify arrangements, or are they locked in?
Questions About the Funeral Home
Experience and Reputation
How long has your funeral home been in business? Established businesses have track records.
Are you family-owned or part of a corporation? May affect continuity and local decision-making.
Can you provide references? Satisfied families willing to speak with you?
What are your reviews like online? Check Google, Yelp, funeral home review sites.
Are you licensed and in good standing? Verify with California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.
What professional associations do you belong to? National Funeral Directors Association, state associations?
Staff and Service
Who will handle my arrangements when the time comes? Specific person, or whoever is available?
What are your staff’s qualifications? Licensed funeral directors, training, specializations?
Are you available 24/7 for at-need services? What are response times?
What happens if ownership changes? Are pre-need contracts honored by new owners?
Questions to Ask Yourself
Personal Preference Questions
What matters most to me—price, location, service quality, or specific options? Clarify your priorities.
Do I have strong feelings about burial vs. cremation? Or am I open to either?
How important is environmental impact? Should you explore green burial options?
What role should religion or spirituality play? Traditional religious service, spiritual elements, or secular?
Do I want a large public service or small private gathering? This affects planning significantly.
What would I want my service to feel like? Solemn, celebratory, reflective?
Are there specific people I want involved? Clergy, family members, friends who should participate?
Practical Questions
What can I realistically afford? Be honest about budget constraints.
Am I better off pre-paying or setting aside funds myself? Consider your financial situation and priorities.
How likely am I to move in the coming years? Affects whether pre-payment makes sense.
How certain am I about my preferences? If unsure, avoid locking in through pre-payment.
Who do I trust to handle my arrangements? Ensure this person knows your wishes.
What’s most important to document vs. leave flexible? Not everything needs to be decided.
Red Flag Questions
If you get these responses, proceed with caution:
“You need to decide today to get this price.” Legitimate funeral homes don’t pressure immediate decisions.
“I can’t show you the contract until you commit.” You should review all terms before committing.
“Our policies don’t allow that.” Many “policies” are preferences, not legal requirements.
Vague answers about fund protection or refund policies. You deserve clear, specific answers.
Reluctance to answer questions. Legitimate businesses welcome thorough questions.
Pressure to buy more expensive options. Good funeral homes help you find what fits your needs and budget.
Getting Answers in Writing
Request written responses to important questions: – Price guarantees – Refund policies – Portability terms – What’s included vs. extra cost
Don’t rely on verbal promises. If it’s not in the contract, it’s not enforceable.
Review documents carefully before signing. Take contracts home to read thoroughly.
Ask for time to review. Never feel pressured to sign immediately.
Consider having attorney review contracts. Especially for pre-paid arrangements.
Comparing Multiple Funeral Homes
Visit at least two or three funeral homes. Comparing helps you understand options and fair pricing.
Ask the same questions at each. Makes comparison easier and reveals differences.
Compare apples to apples. Ensure you’re comparing similar services when looking at prices.
Trust your instincts. How do you feel about the staff, facility, and approach?
Consider convenience and location. Where will family be coming from for services?
Key Takeaways
Asking thorough questions protects your interests:
- Service questions ensure you understand all options available
- Cost questions provide transparency about pricing and what’s included
- Pre-payment questions clarify contracts, guarantees, and refund policies
- Flexibility questions reveal how easy changes will be
- Personal reflection helps clarify your own priorities
Don’t hesitate to ask every question that comes to mind. Legitimate funeral homes welcome questions and provide clear, honest answers. If you feel rushed or pressured, that’s a red flag.
Ask Questions at Monte Vista Memorial Gardens
At Monte Vista, we encourage questions and provide clear, honest answers about all aspects of pre-planning. Our consultations are informational and pressure-free—we want you to have all the information you need to make confident decisions.
Call 510-299-1174 to schedule a consultation where we’ll answer all your questions about pre-planning, costs, options, and how our services work.