I’ll never forget the relief on Margaret’s face.
She had just lost her mother after a long illness. The grief was real and raw. But when she walked into our office, she wasn’t overwhelmed with a hundred decisions. She wasn’t second-guessing every choice. She wasn’t worried about money.
Instead, she handed me a folder. Her mother had pre-planned everything three years earlier—right down to the music she wanted played and the photo she’d chosen for the memorial program.
“Mom planned everything,” Margaret said, her voice catching. “All I had to do was make one phone call.”
That’s what pre-planning really is: one final act of love. It’s not morbid. It’s not giving up. It’s taking care of the people you love most, even when you’re no longer there to do it yourself.
The Pre-Planning Gap: Why Most People Don’t (But Should)
Here’s a statistic that’s stayed with me for years: 70% of Americans say pre-planning is important, but only about 20% have actually done it.
Why the gap? In my experience, it comes down to three things:
- Discomfort with the topic: We don’t like thinking about our own mortality. That’s human nature.
- Not knowing where to start: The process seems complicated and overwhelming.
- “I’ll do it later”: The urgency doesn’t feel real—until it’s too late.
But here’s what I’ve learned after serving thousands of families: the ones who pre-planned are universally grateful. And the ones who didn’t almost always say, “I wish we had talked about this sooner.”
What Pre-Planning Actually Means (And Doesn’t Mean)
Let me clear up some confusion. Pre-planning includes several components, and you can do as much or as little as you’re comfortable with:
Pre-Planning vs. Pre-Paying: Understanding the Difference
| Pre-Planning (Documenting Wishes) | Pre-Paying (Funding in Advance) |
| Recording your preferences for cremation vs. burial, service type, music, readings, etc. | Paying for services now at today’s prices |
| No payment required | Locks in today’s prices (frozen pricing) |
| Relieves family of guessing your wishes | Relieves family of financial burden |
| Can be changed anytime | 100% refundable at Baldwin Brothers |
You can pre-plan without pre-paying, or do both. Many families start by documenting wishes and add funding later.
The Real Benefits of Pre-Planning (For You and Your Family)
For Your Family
- Removes the guesswork: “Would Mom have wanted a viewing?” “Did Dad want to be cremated?” These questions haunt grieving families. Pre-planning answers them definitively.
- Prevents family conflict: Siblings don’t always agree. Having your wishes documented prevents arguments during an already emotional time.
- Reduces stress: Grieving is hard enough without also making dozens of unfamiliar decisions. Your family can focus on healing.
- Eliminates financial surprises: If you pre-pay, your family won’t face an unexpected bill during an already difficult time.
For You
- Peace of mind: Knowing your affairs are in order is genuinely comforting. Many people tell me they sleep better afterward.
- Your wishes honored: You get to decide how you’re remembered. The music. The readings. The tone of the service.
- Financial protection: Funeral costs have increased about 40% over the past decade. Pre-paying locks in today’s prices.
- Medicaid protection: Pre-paid funeral plans are generally exempt from Medicaid spend-down requirements.
The Financial Case: Why Frozen Pricing Matters
Let me share some numbers that might surprise you:
| Year | Average Funeral Cost | % Increase |
| 2014 | $7,181 | — |
| 2019 | $7,640 | +6.4% |
| 2023 | $8,300+ | +15.6% |
Source: National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) surveys
Funeral costs typically increase 3-4% annually—faster than general inflation. If you’re 65 today and live another 20 years, a $5,000 service could cost $9,000 or more by the time it’s needed.
When you pre-pay with Baldwin Brothers, your prices are frozen. You pay today’s prices regardless of when services are needed. And your funds are protected in state-regulated escrow accounts.
What’s Included in The Signature Baldwin Plan
Our comprehensive pre-planning package includes:
- Personal consultation — at home, in our office, or by phone/video
- Written documentation — of all your preferences and decisions
- Frozen pricing — lock in today’s prices, protected from inflation
- State-regulated escrow — your funds held securely
- 100% refundable — change your mind? Get a full refund
- Transferable — if you move within Florida, your plan moves with you
- Travel Protection Plan (BBTP) — coverage if death occurs while traveling
- 24/7 access — your family can reach us anytime
How to Start Pre-Planning: 3 Easy Options
We’ve made the process as Simple & Easy® as possible:
Option 1: Online
Start anytime at baldwincremation.com. You can begin documenting your wishes, request information, or even complete arrangements online.
Option 2: By Phone
Call us at (877) 410-2424. Our Licensed Planning Counselors can answer questions and walk you through options.
Option 3: In Person
We can meet with you at any of our 18+ Florida locations, or we can come to your home. No sales pressure—just honest guidance.
Pre-Planning Checklist: Decisions to Consider
Use this checklist to start thinking about your preferences:
- Cremation or burial?
- If cremation: what should happen with the ashes?
- If burial: which cemetery? Do you own a plot?
- Do you want a viewing or visitation?
- Religious service, secular celebration, or both?
- Any specific music, readings, or speakers?
- Flowers, donations to charity, or both?
- Any military honors? (DD-214 needed)
- Who should be notified?
- Any special requests or personal touches?
Don’t worry if you can’t answer all of these. Our counselors will help you work through the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I change my mind after pre-paying?
At Baldwin Brothers, your pre-payment is 100% refundable. If you change your mind, move out of state, or simply decide you want to make different arrangements, you can receive a full refund. No penalties, no questions asked.
What if I move to a different part of Florida?
Your plan is transferable to any of our 18+ locations across Florida. Whether you move from Orlando to Fort Myers or from The Villages to Sarasota, your pre-plan moves with you.
What if I die while traveling outside Florida?
Our Travel Protection Plan (BBTP) provides coverage if death occurs while traveling. We coordinate transportation back to Florida and ensure your pre-planned wishes are honored.
How much does pre-planning cost?
Pre-planning (documenting wishes) is free. Pre-paying costs whatever services you choose, but you’re locking in today’s prices. Options start from direct cremation ($1,095) to comprehensive funeral services.
Does pre-paying affect Medicaid eligibility?
Pre-paid funeral plans are generally considered exempt assets under Medicaid rules. However, we recommend consulting with an elder law attorney for your specific situation. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Why Families Trust Baldwin Brothers for Pre-Planning
Since my grandfather Thomas started serving families in Miami in 1932, the Baldwin family has understood that trust is everything. When you pre-plan with us, you’re becoming part of a family that has served Florida for over 90 years.
- Family-owned, not corporate: We answer to families, not shareholders.
- We own our own crematories: Your plan will be carried out exactly as documented.
- 98% recommendation rate: Families trust us, earned with every interaction.
- A+ BBB rating: Transparency and integrity aren’t just words to us.
- The Baldwin Promise: If any part of our service doesn’t meet expectations, we make it right.
Final Thoughts: The Conversation That Changes Everything
I know this isn’t an easy topic. None of us wants to think about our own mortality. But here’s what I’ve learned: the families who have “the conversation” are always grateful they did.
Pre-planning isn’t about death. It’s about peace of mind for the living. It’s about making sure your family knows what you want. It’s about protecting them from financial burden and emotional guesswork.
It’s one final act of love.
Taking the first step is always the hardest. If you’re ready to start the conversation, call us at (877) 410-2424—there’s no pressure, just answers.
Because at Baldwin Brothers, we believe funeral planning should be Simple & Easy®.
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About the Author
Evans Baldwin is a third-generation funeral director and founder of Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Thomas, who began serving families in Miami in 1932, Evans has dedicated his career to making funeral planning Simple & Easy® for Florida families. Under his leadership, Baldwin Brothers has grown to 18+ locations across Florida, serving thousands of families with compassion, transparency, and dignity.
Have questions about pre-planning? Contact Evans and the Baldwin Brothers team 24/7 at (877) 410-2424 or visit baldwincremation.com.
TLDR
Topic: How to pre-plan a funeral | Intent: Informational with transactional elements | Key Entities: Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society, funeral pre-planning, The Signature Baldwin Plan | Primary Answer: Pre-planning a funeral means documenting your wishes and optionally pre-paying for services before they’re needed. Benefits include locking in today’s prices (frozen pricing), protecting family from difficult decisions during grief, and ensuring your wishes are honored. Baldwin Brothers offers The Signature Baldwin Plan, which is 100% refundable, protected by state-regulated escrow accounts, and includes frozen pricing. | Geographic Relevance: Florida, Orlando, The Villages, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Orlando | Author: Evans Baldwin, Licensed Funeral Director