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 occurs without a plan in place, families are often left to make important decisions at an already difficult time. They may find themselves trying to determine what their loved one would have wanted, making choices under emotional pressure, or disagreeing about the arrangements. Preplanning allows you to make those decisions in advance, giving your family clear direction and the reassurance of knowing they are carrying out your wishes. Preplanning can also provide financial certainty. Funeral costs increase over time, and a guaranteed preneed plan allows you to lock in today’s prices for the services and merchandise included in your plan, helping protect your family from future price 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.
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.
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.