Many experts agree it is a good idea to make funeral plans for the same reason you make retirement plans, buy life insurance, or draft a will. Pre-planning offers individuals and families the opportunity to make funeral arrangements and decisions before the need arises.

Pre-planning eases stress on family members at the time of death, and gives you the opportunity to express your own personal desires for your service arrangements. 

In its simplest form, pre-planning is having your wishes recorded by a local funeral service provider. At Johnson Family Funeral Home we offer this service to you free of charge. We will meet with you and discuss various options, record all the information needed to process required government and social documents when the death occurs, and outline your preferences. We will compile this information and store it in our files, and provide you copies for your family representative. When death occurs we will only need a simple meeting with your family to update statistical information, review the service with them, and have them proof read the obituary we will place in the newspapers desired.

If you desire to pre-pay for your arrangements to secure costs at today's prices and save your family from financial concern, we can help you do so through funeral insurance. We have plans for everyone. You may pay the full amount up front or choose a convenient payment schedule. Johnson Family Funeral Home would be honored to host a meeting with you and your family to discuss your feelings about final services, at no cost and with no obligation to purchase anything.

Planning your funeral arrangements in advance can also offer you and your family a number of other benefits: 

Emotional Benefits

• More Time to Consider Your Options – You and your family will have time to research your options and make well-informed decisions, without feeling rushed
• A Sense of Accomplishment – You’ll feel good knowing that these arrangements have been taken care of
• Fewer Family Concerns - Your surviving family members will have less to worry about in the event of your death

Financial Benefits

• The Prepayment Option – When you prepay, you can lock in today’s prices. Our funeral director will explain each payment method and investment option available, and will help you make a decision that best suits you and your family
• Your Family Keeps More – When you prepay, your estate will owe nothing on funeral expenses. More of your assets and life insurance proceeds will go directly to your family
• Save the Amount You Need – Once you gain an understanding of all the costs involved, you can earmark a portion of your savings to cover those costs, but keep in mind unless you prepay through funeral insurance we can not guarantee the cost
• Fewer Last-minute Expenses – When you plan in advance, your family is less likely to incur additional expenses at the time of the funeral
• Shielded from Public Aid - All of our plans qualify for exemption from Medicaid/SSI
• Guaranteed Issue - Immediate coverage and no waiting for return documents
• No one is Declined - regardless of your health, no one is declined

To request more information regarding preplanning/pre-arrangement, or to begin the preplanning process, please call us at 515-523-1200 Or, you can complete our easy On-line Pre-arrangement Form now.