Why Should I  Plan Ahead?

We plan for most other meaningful things throughout our lives.. birthdays, graduations, weddings, childbirth.  Planning a funeral and one's final disposition are no different.  Making your funeral arrangements in advance ensures your wishes will be carried out just as you planned, giving you peace of mind and alleviating unnecessary stress on your family during their time of loss and grief.

Our Preneed staff is here to assist you through the entire preplanning process by gathering information, discussing the various disposition options and services available, and helping you make decisions about your funeral.  Whether planning for yourself or a loved one, we will guide you through the steps to arrange the type of service that is most meaningful to you and your family.  Planning ahead simply makes sense. 

Secure Online Preplanning Form

SECURE FORM

Benefits of Preplanning

Planning Ahead Lets Your Wishes Be Known

The death of a loved one can often bring about unwarranted stress and turmoil among families. One family member wants one thing, while another family member wants something different. By planning ahead, you can help prevent those disagreements, and leave behind a thoughtful and caring gift to your family letting them know how you want your funeral service to be carried out and your business handled.

Planning Ahead Offers Peace of Mind

Once your prearrangements are in place, you can rest easy knowing that, at the time of death, uncomfortable and often times difficult decisions have already been made.  Our staff is committed to carrying out your funeral arrangements just as you directed.  Knowing your service will be conducted according to your wishes offers you peace of mind knowing  will be able to focus on grieving the loss of their loved one without additional stress.

Planning Ahead Offers Various Funding Options

There are various options available when it comes to prefunding your funeral.  At the time of death, services must be paid in full, so deciding how the funeral will be paid is also an important step in completing the preplanning process.  Exploring the prefunding options offers you the opportunity to lock in today's prices, save money, and relieve the financial burden from your loved ones.

Planning Ahead Relieves The Burden From Your Family

Following the death of a loved one, there are countless decisions that have to be made within the first one to two days. These stressful decisions can be eliminated for your family by arranging your final wishes ahead of time.  Your family won't be left wondering what you would have wanted and how they should proceed with your funeral.  With these decisions out of the way, your loved ones can more freely grieve and begin the healing process.

Common Questions about Preplanning

  • What steps are involved in prearranging a funeral?

    The first step is to complete our online preplanning form.  Once that is submitted, our Preneed Director will reach out to you to schedule a time to discuss your wishes in further detail, explain the services and merchandise options available, as well as ways to pay for the funeral.

  • What information do I need to prearrange a funeral?

    You will need to provide basic information about yourself or the person for whom you are making the arrangements, such as date and place of birth, marital status, parent's full names, etc. Besides the biographical information, you'll need to choose the final disposition, what type of service you'd like, and whether a church, military, or fraternal service is required.  Veterans may also need to locate and provide their DD214.  Other items and information may be necessary based on your individual circumstances which will be idenitified during the preplanning process. 

  • Do I have to pay in advance?

    No, prepayment is not required.  Preplanning involves considering the available options, making decisions, and recording your wishes.  However, these are just the initial steps in the preplanning process.  Most families also choose to fund their funeral in advance.  Doing so has many benefits including cost savings, relieving your family of the financial burden, and offering you peace of mind that it will be taken care of.  Prefunding options can be discussed in greater detail with our Preneed Director.

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

    Yes, transferring prearrangements is a relatively simple process.  At Davenport Family Funeral Home, we accept all transferred prearrangements.  If you have plans at another funeral home and would like them transferred to our funeral home, we will be happy to assist you.  If you move from the local area and would like to transfer your arrangements made with Davenport, we can assist you with that as well.