Your Questions, Answered

Funeral planning involves many decisions, both practical and personal. These may include selecting a means of disposition (burial or cremation), choosing a funeral home, scheduling services or visitation, preparing an obituary, arranging speakers or eulogies, selecting cemetery property, choosing a casket or urn, ordering death certificates, and more.

At Legacy Concierge, we help simplify the process by preparing you for the decisions that will need to be made, gathering important information in advance, and explaining the options available to you. Our goal is to help you make informed, meaningful choices that reflect your wishes, needs, and values.

Preplanning provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By documenting your wishes in advance, you help ensure they are known and reduce the number of decisions that must be made during an already emotional time. 

Preplanning also allows you to communicate important religious, cultural, or personal preferences and ensure they are understood by those who will carry out your wishes. In addition, some individuals choose to pre-fund funeral arrangements, which may provide financial advantages depending on the state and funding method selected.

No. While many people choose to fund funeral arrangements in advance, the most important step is documenting your wishes. A written plan helps ensure that your preferences are known and can guide your loved ones when decisions need to be made.

If you choose to pay in advance, it is important to understand your state's rules and regulations governing prepaid funeral arrangements. (For example, in New York, where we are located, funeral directors are required to deposit 100% of prepaid funeral funds into an interest-bearing, government-backed trust account.)

If you have chosen burial as your preferred form of disposition, we generally recommend purchasing cemetery property before making funeral arrangements. Doing so allows you to understand your available options, compare costs, and make decisions without time pressure. In addition, burial arrangements typically cannot be finalized until cemetery property has been selected and secured. 

If you do not already own cemetery property, Legacy Concierge can help you understand the types of property available and the factors to consider when making a selection.

Yes. Many clergy members and celebrants are available to officiate funeral and memorial services, even if you are not a member of their congregation or organization. 

Funeral homes often have established relationships with local clergy and celebrants and can assist with recommendations and coordination. Legacy Concierge can also help you identify an officiant whose style and approach align with your wishes.

The number of death certificates needed varies based on an individual's assets, accounts, and circumstances. Financial institutions, insurance companies, employers, government agencies, and other organizations may require certified copies as proof of death.

As a general guideline, we recommend ordering 8–10 certified copies. If the deceased had limited assets or was receiving Medicaid benefits, fewer copies may be needed.

Please note that some institutions may accept a copy of the original certificate or will return an original copy to you. Additional certified copies can typically be ordered if needed.

The right funeral home depends on your location, personal preferences, financial considerations, religious or cultural traditions, and the type of services you wish to arrange. 

Because Legacy Concierge is an independent advisory service, we can help you evaluate providers and identify a funeral home that best aligns with your needs and priorities.

Funeral costs vary significantly depending on the funeral home selected, the services requested, merchandise chosen, and any cemetery or crematory expenses.

While costs differ by region and provider, a traditional funeral often exceeds $10,000 once professional services, merchandise, cemetery or crematory charges, and other associated expenses are included. Additional expenses may include cemetery property, monument or marker costs, flowers, obituary notices, clergy honorariums, and other cash advance items.