Thinking about final arrangements is rarely easy, but more Canadians are choosing to plan ahead for their funeral or cremation. Whether motivated by practicality, cost control, or the desire to spare loved ones difficult decisions, advanced planning—also called preplanning or prearrangement—can offer both benefits and drawbacks.
This article explores the key pros and cons to help you decide whether advance planning is right for you or someone you love.
Note: Laws, regulations, and funding protections vary by province and territory. This article provides general information—not legal advice. Consider speaking with a licensed funeral or cemetery professional in your province before making financial commitments.
What is advanced planning?
Advanced planning means making some or all of your funeral or cremation decisions before death, rather than leaving them entirely to family at the time of need. This may include:
- Choosing burial or cremation
- Selecting a funeral home or crematorium
- Outlining service preferences (religious, secular, celebration of life)
- Deciding on music, readings, or participants
- Choosing cemetery property or urn/interment options
- Prepaying for all or part of arrangements (optional)
Some people complete only a record of wishes, while others establish a prepaid contract where funds are set aside in trust or insurance, as governed by provincial rules.
The pros of advanced planning
✔️ Reduces emotional burden on loved ones
Losing someone is already overwhelming. Preplanning removes dozens of decisions that families otherwise must make within days, often while grieving. Many families describe it as a gift of clarity and peace.
✔️ Helps control and sometimes lock in costs
Funeral and cremation costs generally rise over time. When you prepay through a regulated funeral or cremation provider in Canada, some plans allow you to lock in current prices for guaranteed services. Even if you do not prepay, documenting choices helps avoid overspending driven by stress or uncertainty.
✔️ Ensures your wishes are respected
Preplanning gives you a voice in your own farewell. You can:
- Choose between burial and cremation
- Specify cultural or religious preferences
- Decide on charity donations, music, or personal touches
Your family doesn’t have to guess what you “would have wanted.”
✔️ Offers financial planning benefits
Prepaying can:
- Spread payments over time
- Protect money in a trust or insurance plan, depending on province
- Potentially shelter funds from probate or certain asset calculations (varies by jurisdiction)
For some Canadians, preplanning is part of broader estate planning.
✔️ Creates peace of mind now
Many people report a surprising sense of relief after planning. Knowing things are organized—and paperwork is in one place—reduces worry for both themselves and their families.
The cons of advanced planning
⚠️ Money may be tied up for years
Prepaying means committing funds now for services that may not be needed for a long time. While provincial regulations require that prepaid funds be protected (usually in trust or insurance), there may still be:
- limited flexibility
- cancellation fees
- administrative costs
Always review contract terms carefully.
⚠️ You may move or change your mind
Life changes. If you relocate to another province or decide you prefer different arrangements, transferring prepaid plans may involve fees or restrictions. Make sure you understand portability and refund rules before signing.
⚠️ Not everything can be price-guaranteed
Some third-party costs—such as cemetery fees, government documents, clergy honorariums, or obituaries—may not be guaranteed and can still increase over time. Clarify what is guaranteed vs. estimated in any contract.
⚠️ Risk of incomplete planning
Some people preplan partially—choosing cremation, for example—but leave key details undocumented. Families may still face confusion or disagreements. Preplanning works best when wishes are clearly recorded and shared.
⚠️ Emotional discomfort
For some individuals or families, discussing death feels uncomfortable or culturally inappropriate. The topic can stir anxiety, superstition, or grief, which may delay conversations or cause tension among family members.
Preplanning vs. prepaying: they’re not the same
A helpful distinction:
- Preplanning = recording wishes and choosing arrangements
- Prepaying = paying in advance through a regulated contract
You can do one without the other. Many Canadians choose to document preferences without financial commitment, while others prefer full prepaid plans for cost control.
Tips if you’re considering advanced planning in Canada
- ✓ Talk openly with your family or executor
- ✓ Compare funeral homes or cremation providers
- ✓ Ask what funds are held in trust or insurance and how they’re protected
- ✓ Clarify guaranteed vs. non-guaranteed expenses
- ✓ Understand cancellation, transfer, and refund policies
- ✓ Keep copies of documents with your will and share the location with loved ones
Who is advanced planning best suited for?
Advanced planning may be especially helpful if you:
- Live alone or have few close next-of-kin
- Want very specific religious, cultural, or personal preferences honoured
- Wish to control costs or avoid financial strain for family
- Prefer cremation and want details settled in advance
- Value organization and peace of mind
Final thoughts
Advanced planning your funeral or cremation arrangements in Canada is a personal choice. For many, it provides emotional relief, cost control, and certainty. For others, the commitment feels premature or restrictive.
The most important step is conversation—sharing your wishes while you can—and making informed decisions based on your values, family circumstances, and provincial regulations.