Advance Planning Guidance

Pre-planning your funeral should be a natural part of life, because it provides you with time to make end-of-life decisions in a calm and rational atmosphere. Start the online planning process now, or meet with one of our pre-planning advisors. It just makes sense.

Why Should I Plan Ahead?

Pre-planning is a matter of taking the time to think about – and record – your end-of-life desires. It’s a thoughtful gesture to those you love, and a way to let go of anxieties about the future. Once done, you can relax, knowing your plans are in the hands of reliable friends or family.

It’s All About Taking Control

Given time to consider it, you’ll quickly realize that pre-planning is all about ensuring that your wishes are known, so they can be acted upon when the time comes. Making the commitment to planning ahead:

Is easy. There’s no health questionnaire or physical exam required. Absolutely everyone can make a pre-plan, and there is no waiting for return documents. The plan is completed, and put on file in our office.
Lets your family clearly know your wishes.
Relieves your family members of making very personal decisions on your behalf at the time of need.
Can protect your family from the ravages of inflation. Your expenses can be covered when you need them to be, through a pre-payment plan.

Does Pre-Planning Require Pre-Payment

The simple answer is just two letters: No. You can set plan to paper by simply recording your wishes, and leave it for your family to pay for your desired services at the time of your passing.

Or, you can protect yourself and your family from inflation, by pre-funding your plan. This ensures your expenses will be covered when you need them to be.

When you choose to pre-fund your final arrangements, your money is put in a state-approved trust account or top-rated insurance company until required. After your pre-plan is paid for in full, our price is guaranteed. You will never have to pay more for the items you have already paid for.

Another point we’d like to stress: When you pre-plan with McFarlane Mortuary, your plan will go where you go. No matter where you reside at the time of your passing, no matter what funeral home you choose to work with, your plan will be transferable to any funeral home in the United States.

Why Pre-Plan With McFarlane Mortuary

By pre-planning with us, you’re assured that your final wishes are known. This relieves your family of the burden of making difficult decisions, under emotional duress. Through pre-funding your plan, expenses will be covered when you need them to be. That's guaranteed.

Our plans offer a variety of payment options to fit most everyone. Choose the payment option that's right for you.

Ready To Get Started?

Begin the process online or Contact us to request a personal appointment with a McFarlane Mortuary pre-planning advisor. Record your personal information to be kept on file at McFarlane Mortuary. For assistance in completing this online planning process, please contact us by calling (530) 541-3095.

Advanced Planning Checklist

For many, it feels like there’s an overwhelming amount of things to think about! But in all honesty, taking control of the important things in life just feels good; you know it's the right thing to do for you, and your family.

Why Pre-Plan With McFarlane Mortuary

Laying the foundation for a well thought out plan for you or a loved one takes a bit of time, but, it's worth every moment spent. After all, you’re setting the stage for a more relaxed and enjoyable life, because you’ll have the peace-of-mind preparedness brings.
Here’s what to do to get started:

Prepare a contact list of individuals who should be notified in a medical emergency or death.
Write an obituary or simply jot down information you would like included in an obituary.
Decide where the obituary and memorial information should appear.

Choose the type of service you would like including the burial you prefer and make those arrangements.
You will need to decide:

Cemetery lot location
Casket type; cremation urn type
Vault or sectional crypt
Type of service: religious, military, non-denominational, or fraternal
The contact details for the funeral home you designate to care for you
Pallbearers, music, flowers, scripture or other readings
Charity to receive donations in lieu of flowers, if donations are preferred
Select the speakers and the eulogies that you would want to represent you.
Decide what organizations or church will benefit from memorial donations in your name.

Arrange and Delegate

The people who know and care about you will be there when you need them. You only need to provide them with instructions, important financial details, and then relax. You’re in good hands.

Give your Executor a copy of your Will. Safety deposit boxes are often opened up during the estate settlement process, long after the funeral. Any funeral planning documents therein can be of no help to your executor.
Make sure your representative has a list of important account information or telephone numbers for retirement plans, insurance policies, investments, bank accounts, safe-deposit boxes, properties, preferred law and accountant firms and mortuaries. Remind your personal representative that the Social Security Administration will need to be called and, if you're receiving benefits such as those from the Veteran's Administration, they should be contacted as well.
Designate a power of attorney to ensure that proper information can be accessed in the event of your illness or death. Make sure a durable power of attorney for health care and a living will are in place so that your wishes are carried out if you are unable to do so.
Make arrangements for telephone and utility services, and newspaper and magazine deliveries, to be canceled.

You will need to pay for:

Cemetery and memorialization services
Funeral arrangements, including clergy, florist and transportation
Make arrangements for pets to find a new home.

You can also contact us for additional information. We're pleased to answer any questions you may have, without obligation.