Funeral Pre-Arrangements

The Significance of Pre-Arranging Your Funeral or Cremation Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I plan a funeral for myself or a loved one?  A funeral or memorial service is a customary way to recognize death and its finality.  These services are held for the living to show respect for the deceased and to help survivors begin the grief process.  They also give mourners a chance to share stories, create memories, fulfill religious beliefs and customs, participate in a support system, and gather at a peaceful place during a time of grief, confusion and uncertainty.  For many, it feels like there are an overwhelming amount of things to think about!  But in reality, taking control of the important things in life just feels good.

What tasks are involved in arranging a funeral?  In most cases there can be as many as 100-150 tasks when planning a funeral.  The key to remember is to prepare!  Laying the foundation for a well thought out plan for you or a loved one takes a bit of time, but, its worth every moment spent.  When it’s all said and done, you’ll have the peace-of-mind preparedness brings! Here’s what to do to get started:

• Prepare a list of individuals who should be notified in a medical emergency or death.
• Choose the type of disposition; whether a traditional funeral or cremation.
• Will there be a public viewing? Will the body be present during services?
• Select the funeral home that will be providing those services.  It is strongly advised to not only compare cost, but it is very important to visit their facility and meet with a qualified staff member.
• Decide where your services will be held, such as church, funeral home chapel, or graveside.
• Complete a “Confidential Form” which will include the necessary information needed to file the death certificate.
• Veterans should provide a copy of their honorable discharge document, DD214. This will allow for applying for veterans death burial benefits, military honors at the funeral service, and interment at a National Cemetery should that be your choice of final resting place.
• Choose the final resting place, Mausoleum, Local Cemetery, or National Cemetery.
• Select casket type or urn
• Crypt for entombment
• Vault (required by cemetery for interment of casketed remains)
• Type of service: religious, non-denominational, celebration of life, military, or fraternal
• Pallbearers, music, flowers, scripture or other readings
• Select the speakers and eulogies that you would want to represent you
• Decide what non-profit organizations or church will benefit from memorials in your name
• Write an obituary or simply jot down information you would like included in an obituary
• Decide where your obituary and memorial information should appear
• Make sure a durable power of attorney for health care and a living will are in place so that your wishes are carried out if you are unable to do so.
• Prepare a will and give your Executor a copy of the will or name a Personal Representative to carry out your wishes after death has occurred.
• Many individuals make arrangements for their pets to find a new home.  Others plan for the placement of their pets in a pet columbarium.  (Visit or call to learn about our New Human/Pet Columbarium)

Does Pre-planning Require Pre-payment?   The simple answer is NO.  You can set plan to paper by simply recording your wishes, and leave it for your family to pay for your desired services at the time of your passing.  Or, you can protect you and your family from inflation, by pre-funding your plan.  This ensures your expenses will be covered when you need them to be.  It will more importantly spare your family the emotional and financial burden associated with funeral expenses.  We offer up to three years of interest-free financing for cremation pre-arrangements and up to five years of interest-free financing for funeral pre-arrangements.  Please call 719-634-1597 for more information regarding our credit policy.

Why Pre-Plan with The Shrine of Remembrance?  When you choose to pre-fund your final arrangements with us, you are doing business with a licensed funeral home in the State of Colorado authorized to sell pre-funded funeral plans.  Your money is placed in a state approved trust account. Once your pre-plan is paid in full, our price is guaranteed.  Your will never pay more for the items you have already paid for.  Another point we would like to stress, when you pre-plan with the Shrine of Remembrance your plan will go where you go.  No matter where you reside at the time of your passing, no matter what funeral home you choose to work with, your plan will be transferable to any funeral home in the United States.