Funeral Planning

Why planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give:

Talking about funerals or end-of-life wishes isn’t easy. Most of us would rather focus on the life we’re living today. But making a plan can be one of the greatest gifts you leave for the people you love.

At Allegiant, we see our clients as family. We lost another dear member last month. I've known this family since fifth grade and it is never easy to see a family go through a loss.

And just as families lean on each other during hard times, part of our role is helping you think ahead so your loved ones don’t face difficult decisions in the middle of grief.

No one likes to plan a funeral. It feels heavy, and sometimes it’s easier to put off. But planning in advance is an act of kindness. It ensures your values and preferences are honored, while also relieving your family from having to guess, or worse, disagree, about what you would have wanted.

Instead of hurried choices in a painful moment, your family can focus on remembering you, sharing stories, and leaning on each other. That is the real gift of planning ahead: peace of mind for you, and freedom for those you love.

There’s no single “right” way - only the way that best reflects your values, faith, and family traditions. Here are some of the most common options families choose, each with its own meaning and approach: 

Funeral Planning Options

• Whole-Body Donation

  • No cost to family (transportation, paperwork, cremation handled).

  • Supports medical education and research.

  • Ashes returned or interred after use.

  • Must meet medical and geographic criteria at the time of death.

• Cremation

  • Direct Cremation: Simple, affordable, no ceremony required.

  • Full-Service Cremation: Includes visitation or service before cremation.

  • Prepaid Cremation: Locks in today’s costs, relieves future financial burden.

  • Eco-friendly urns or scattering options available.

• Traditional Burial

  • Choice of cemetery plot or family burial ground.

  • Options for casket style and vaults.

  • Can include religious or cultural traditions.

  • Typically higher cost, but offers a lasting physical place of remembrance.

Your wishes matter. Sharing them now means your family can focus on remembering, not deciding.

If you need help working out a plan, we are here for you.