Why Plan Ahead
There’s a lot that goes into planning a funeral, but making those arrangements beforehand gives you time to consider all of your options and make sure that you’re covering all of the necessary details. Still feeling unsure? Here are some of the most important reasons why planning ahead may be the best option.
It's Easy
Fill out a form or meet with a member of our staff to put your plan in place. Anyone can create a plan, at any stage in their life, and you always can make changes if you wish.
You Decide
Preplanning lets you create your own unique life celebration. Including your family in the planning process can help them feel connected to you both in life and in death, knowing that your arrangements reflect your desires.
Relieve Your Family’s Burden
Preplanning relieves your family of that burden and gives them more time and energy to focus on healing and remembrance.
You Can Prepay
Prepayment generally means that you save money by being protected from inflation and price changes. In keeping within the guidelines of Alabama law, we deposit all prepayments into a life insurance policy or in the Alabama Funeral Trust, where it remains until needed. Prepaying also provides peace of mind for your family, who won’t have to figure out your funeral expenses when the time comes.
What If I Move?
We keep a record of your preplanned arrangements and any prepayments, and they’re easily transferable to any funeral home in the United States.
Where Do I Start?
First, check out our preplanning checklist to help you consider all your possibilities. Then you can preplan online using our form to create your personalized arrangements or you can schedule a time to meet with our staff to discuss your options and make a plan.
Important Facts to Know About Cremation
- A cremation may only be performed by a licensed cremationist at a licensed funeral home.
- There is a mandatory 24 hour waiting period from the official time of death before cremation can take place unless the death was a result of an infectious, contagious, or communicable disease.
- Cremains may not be co-mingled, divided or separated without the written consent of the Authorizing Agent.
- A cremation may not take place without the written consent of the Authorizing Agent, that is the person as identified by law, who has control over this disposition of the deceased person’s body.
Those having that authority (in order)
- A person designated by the decedent on the U.S. DOD Record of Emergency Data (active duty military)
- A person designated by the decedent in an affidavit executed before a notary public
- Spouse
- Majority of children
- Majority of grandchildren
- Parent(s)
- Majority of siblings
- Grandparent(s)
- Guardian at time of death
- Personal representative of the estate of the decedent
- Next degree of kinship
- Public officer, Administrator or Employee, if the State is responsible
- Any other person willing to assume responsibility in the absence of any person specified.
