Glossary · Planning Ahead
Preneed
Also called pre-planning or a prepaid funeral plan. At-need is also called immediate need.
Preneed means arranging, and often paying for, a funeral before death. At-need means arranging it after a death has happened.
What a preneed plan can cover
- The funeral home’s services and merchandise, often with a price guarantee
- Sometimes only planning, with no payment
- Cemetery property only if the plan is with the cemetery
Questions to ask
- Where is the money held, and in whose name?
- What happens if I move or change my mind?
- Which prices are guaranteed, and which aren’t?
Sources
- Wayfinder interviews with Salt Lake County funeral and preneed professionals, July and August 2026.
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Prices change; check the provider’s current price list.