The families who preplan consistently tell us the same thing afterward: “I wish I’d done this years ago.”

Why Preplan Your Funeral

The Real Cost of Not Planning

When a death happens without a plan in place, families in grief make decisions they shouldn't have to make. They guess at wishes. They overspend out of love. They argue about what Mom or Dad "would have wanted" when nobody actually knows. Preplanning takes those decisions off the table before they're ever asked.It also does something financial. Funeral costs rise over time. Locking in today's prices through a guaranteed preneed plan protects your family from future increases.

5 Reasons Families Preplan in Victoria

1. To spare their family the burden of guessing At-need decisions are often made within the first 24 to 48 hours after a death—by people who may be grieving, overwhelmed, and running on little sleep. That’s not the ideal time to weigh dozens of important decisions. Preplanning allows those choices to be made thoughtfully, at a better time.
2. To lock in today’s prices Funeral costs tend to rise faster than inflation. Guaranteed prepaid plans fix your costs at today’s rates, regardless of when they’re needed.
3. To make sure wishes are actually followed Written wishes with a funeral home are more likely to be honoured than verbal conversations at the kitchen table. We keep your plan on file and pull it forward when needed.
4. To spread the cost over time Preplanning doesn’t mean paying in one lump sum. You can fund a plan over 3, 5, or 10 years if that works better for your household.
5. Give Yourself Peace of Mind Knowing your wishes are documented means your family won’t have to make difficult decisions on your behalf. You can get back to enjoying the life you’re living today.

What Guaranteed Pricing Actually Means

“Guaranteed pricing” is a real contract term, not marketing language. It means the prices on your plan are locked at the level they are today, for the services and merchandise you’ve selected. When the time comes, your family owes nothing more for those items.

Non-guaranteed items (things like cash disbursements to third parties, cemetery fees, or certain taxes) may still change, and we’ll clearly identify which items are which on your plan.

Have Questions? MarLisa Has Answers.

MarLisa brings a background in financial planning, life insurance, and coaching. She helps Victoria families plan with clarity and no pressure.

250-888-5748

marlisa.hollands@mccallgardens.com

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FAQs

Most of the people who preplan are in their 60s and 70s, but the youngest families we work with are in their 40s. The earlier you lock in prices, the more you save. And the decision to think about this has nothing to do with when you'll need it.

We hear this often. What we also hear, afterward, is that it's actually the opposite. Families describe feeling lighter, more present, more in control. You're not inviting death by planning for it. You're taking care of the people you love. 

Prepaid plans through our provider are transferable across Canada. If you move, your funds move with you.

Your funds aren't held by the funeral home. They're held in insurance or trust, governed by BC's Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act. Your money is safe regardless of what happens to the business. 

They don't. But if they did, guaranteed plans only protect against increases, so you wouldn't lose anything. You'd just not gain.

We give you a wallet card and written copy of your arrangements, and we keep one on file. We also recommend telling one trusted family member and your executor.

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