Why Should I Plan Ahead?


Planning Ahead Brings Peace of Mind


While not everyone likes to think about it, pre-planning your funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. It ensures your wishes are known and honored—and it eases the emotional and financial burden on your loved ones during a difficult time.


At Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center, our caring staff is here to help you navigate your options, make meaningful choices in advance, and take some of the stress out of life’s hardest moments.


You can fill out our online planning form, download our customized 'Pre-Planning Guide', or call us at 507-639-5711 to schedule a time to pick up or have us deliver/mail a guide to you.

Benefits of Preplanning

Planning Ahead Lets Your Wishes Be Known

Losing a loved one is hard enough—add in the stress of trying to guess what they would have wanted, and it can make things even harder for families. One person remembers it one way, another sees it differently. By planning ahead, you take that burden off their shoulders. You give your family the gift of clarity—letting them know your wishes and how you'd like things handled when the time comes.

Planning Ahead Offers Peace of Mind

When you preplan with us, we promise to carry out your wishes just as you intended. Once everything is in place, you and your family can feel a sense of peace—knowing that, when the time comes, the hardest decisions have already been made. It means your loved ones won’t have to wonder, worry, or second-guess. Instead, they’ll have space to grieve, to remember, and to be together. And that’s exactly how it should be.

Planning Ahead Offers Flexible Funding Options

Preplanning doesn’t just ease emotional stress—it can ease financial stress, too. When you plan ahead, you have more choices for how your funeral will be funded. Whether through a preneed insurance policy, life insurance, or other payment options, you can make those arrangements in advance. When the time comes, services generally will need to be paid in full within 30 days of death—so having a plan in place means one less thing for your family to worry about during an already difficult time.

Planning Ahead Relieves The Burden From Family

Following the death of a loved one, there are more than 150 decisions that have to be made within the first day or two following the death. Those stressful decisions on top of the stress of grieving a loss can be eliminated by arranging your final wishes ahead of time. If those decisions are made, your loved ones aren’t left wondering what you would have wanted and how they should proceed with funeral plans. With those decisions out of the way, your loved one can begin the healing process sooner.

Common Questions about Preplanning

  • Can I transfer my plans to or from another funeral home?

    If you’ve made arrangements with another funeral home and wish to transfer them to us, we’re here to help. We have done this process with many area families, and the process couldn't be simpler.


    The process:

    • You (and your spouse, if applicable) sign one form requesting the transfer.
    • We will contact the funeral home to retrieve your paperwork on your behalf.
    • We will meet in person or over the phone to go through our planning guide, put together an estimate for funeral costs, and write an obituary if desired.

    And if you relocate and need to move your plans elsewhere, we’ll gladly assist with that too.

  • Why would I transfer my preneed plan to the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center?

    Families choose to transfer their preneed plans to the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center for many reasons—often because they feel a stronger personal connection with our team, appreciate our warm, welcoming atmosphere, or value our family-centered approach. 


    Many also find our services more affordable and want the peace of mind that comes with choosing a locally owned funeral home—one they trust will remain under the same caring ownership for years to come. 


    Whatever the reason, we promise to make the transfer process simple and seamless as we have for many area families!

  • What steps are involved in prearranging a funeral?

    The first step in planning ahead is simply writing down your wishes. We recommend looking through our customized & FREE pre-planning guide to do so. Think about your preferences—burial or cremation, ideas for your service, your choice of cemetery, and any personal touches that matter to you.


    Whether you’ve made these decisions or are still unsure, we invite you to schedule a time to meet with one of our caring funeral directors. We’ll walk you through your options, explain available services and merchandise, and discuss different ways to fund your arrangements if desired—at your pace and with no pressure.

  • What information do I need to prearrange a funeral?

    To begin the pre-planning process, you’ll need some basic information—whether you’re planning for yourself or a loved one. This includes details like date of birth, marital status, and parents’ full names.


    • You’ll also be asked to consider important decisions such as:
    • Burial or cremation
    • Type of service you’d prefer
    • Cemetery or final resting place
    • Any personal touches you’d like included

    Don’t worry—our caring staff will walk you through every step and help make the process as simple and meaningful as possible.

  • Do I have to pay in advance?

    No—you don’t. While some people choose to pay ahead, it’s not required. One of the most meaningful steps you can take is simply writing down your wishes using our pre-planning guide. That alone can lift a tremendous burden from your loved ones.


    If you do choose to pay ahead, we offer flexible options to fit your comfort and budget:

    • Pay in full and lock in today’s prices for life
    • Set up a payment plan that works for you
    • Or pay what you want, when you want—working toward a goal based on your personalized estimate

    It’s your plan. We’re here to help make it simple.