Funeral planning

At Great Western Insurance Company, we know losing a loved one and planning a funeral are emotionally and financially taxing. Our funeral planning articles aim to ease your stress by guiding you through how to plan a funeral and how to budget funeral expenses. Other topics can help you decide whether you prefer to try the latest funeral planning trends or stick with funeral customs. We even share funeral etiquette tips you can use when you attend a service.

Cremation vs. burial: Which is right for you?

How to plan a funeral step-by-step

How much does an average funeral cost?

How to preplan a cremation with a funeral service

What to remember when planning a military funeral

6 reasons why advanced funeral planning makes sense

Estimate your funeral expenses

Our funeral expenses calculator can help estimate your burial and end-of-life expenses and show how those costs could be affected by inflation over time.

Calculate Your Funeral Expenses

Helpful tools and links

Request a FREE Funeral Planning Guide

Do you need help preplanning your final wishes? Request a free copy of our Planning Guide.

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Funeral planning topics

How to start planning a celebration of life

If you think a celebration of life is more suitable for your loved one than a traditional funeral, you’ll need to consider six key details as your planning a funeral party.

Preplanning a funeral: How ready are you?

Do you have your end-of-life planning in hand, or do you need preplanning help? Answer these few questions to find out.

Why preplanning a funeral is a gift of love

Prearranging a funeral is not about death at all; it's about protecting your family.

Unexpected funeral costs — and how to prepare for them

Unexpected funeral costs can add up quickly, but knowing those costly factors and preparing for your funeral with Preneed Funeral insurance can help.

How to write a eulogy

Writing a eulogy can be intimidating. Following these steps can make the process seem a lot less scary.

How to write an obituary, step by step

Follow this simple obituary format to celebrate and honor someone who has passed away.

10 FAQs about preplanning a funeral

If you do not know what to expect in the process of preplanning a funeral. The answers to these common questions people have may help you feel less stressed and more informed about planning a funeral in advance.

Funeral planning trends that may surprise you

Take inspiration from these unique funeral trends as you embark on your own advance funeral planning journey.

7 outdated funeral and mourning traditions (and superstitions)

Funeral and mourning tradtions have changed over time. What used to be universally accepted might not be as necessary now.

Funeral etiquette guide: What to say, what to wear, and more

From the funeral viewing to the post-funeral reception, this funeral etiquette guide will help you properly pay your respects.

How to preplan a personalized funeral service

Learn how you can prearrange a personalized funeral service that’s as unique as you are.

What to say at a funeral — and what not to say

Figuring out what to say at a funeral can be hard for even the most sociable people. But simple expressions of support and a willingness to listen go a long way.

How to plan a memorial service during the holidays

The holiday season is filled with memories of time spent with loved ones, so it can be a very fitting time to honor someone you’ve lost during the year. Make your loved one’s last holiday celebration special with these memorial service ideas.

Preplan a green funeral in 4 steps

If you’re looking to minimize your carbon footprint when you pass, you can opt for a green funeral — an increasingly popular funeral planning trend — and preplanning an ecofriendly green service is easier than you think.

Home funerals: Old tradition becomes current trend

The present age of more choices and personalization hasn’t only affected what you buy online. It has also revived the old tradition of home funerals as a current funeral planning trend.