Benefits and Planning Steps for Prepaid Cremation
Benefits and Planning Steps for Prepaid Cremation
For many people, whether they’re beginning to age or just considering their future, planning certain elements for after passing is a major consideration. There are several areas of advanced funeral planning you might consider, and one that’s popular for one subset of the population is prepaid cremation.
At McDougal Funeral Homes, we offer both funeral planning services and a variety of cremation solutions for those who prefer this method. Today’s blog will dig into all the basics and benefits of prepaid cremation for those who choose it, plus some basic steps to follow and some cost considerations to keep in mind.

Prepaid Cremation Basics and Benefits
As the title suggests, prepaid cremation is an option that allows for individuals to plan for their passing in advance. This helps remove some of the stress for those working on funeral and other arrangements following your passing, plus allows you to choose an important element of this process.
In most cases, those who choose prepaid cremation will plan and pay for their cremation service ahead of time. One major benefit here is the fact that most funeral homes lock in the price at the time this arrangement is made, meaning your family will not be stuck in a financial bind at the time of your passing.
Steps to Take
Here are the basic steps you’ll be taking if you’re looking to arrange prepaid cremation:
- Decision: Firstly, take the time to consider whether cremation is the format you truly want taken after you pass. There is no right or wrong answer between a burial and a cremation, only personal preference.
- Services: Many who are cremated will still prefer a memorial or some other kind of funeral service, and this can also be planned for during this period.
- Handling: One vital element of the planning process here is how remains will be handled. Many choose cemetery burial, while others keep the remains in an urn or scatter them in a special or sacred place. Again, this is all personal choice.
- Products: You may have to choose a few products during this process, including an urn, cemetery plot and a headstone if the remains will be buried.
- Payment: Handling payment in advance not only locks in your rate, but also removes any burden from your family to handle this after you pass.
- Sharing: Once you’ve made these arrangements, be sure to share them with the appropriate family members so everyone is aware.
Cost Considerations
Costs will vary somewhat widely for cremation services, depending on the method of remembrance, the cost of the urn, how the remains will be handled and several other factors. Generally speaking, total costs will range between $2,000 and $4,000, though there are options outside this range for those who require them.
For more on prepaid cremation, or to learn about any of our funeral arrangements or planning services, speak to the caring staff at McDougal Funeral Homes today.