Pre-planning & Planning Ahead
“Is this what they would have wanted?”—it’s a question we hear all too often when families are faced with planning a funeral. Making your wishes clear ahead of time can provide great comfort to your loved ones, easing their burden during an already difficult time.
At Jerh. O’Connor Funeral Homes in Cork, we are honoured to assist families in planning religious funerals with care and respect. Our experienced team will guide you through each step, from church services to music and scripture, always with compassion and sensitivity.
How to Begin the Conversation
Discussing funeral plans may feel difficult, but it is often easier than expected. You know your family best—some may prefer a casual conversation over dinner, while others may appreciate a more structured discussion.
The best time to talk about pre-planning is before it becomes urgent. Addressing these matters early, when everyone is healthy and at ease, makes the conversation more comfortable and keeps the focus on celebrating life rather than facing loss.
Questions such as “Have you ever thought about where you would like to be buried?” or “What type of funeral would you like to have?” can help open the discussion.
Let them know that because you care about them, you want to ease their burden by making your own arrangements. Provide them with a written record of your plans for clarity and peace of mind.
Consider scheduling an appointment with your chosen funeral home or cemetery provider and inviting your children to be involved in selecting services, funeral merchandise, and cemetery property.
Whether you’re sharing your own funeral arrangements with family members or encouraging them to make their own plans, discussing funeral planning in advance helps ensure everyone’s wishes are honored.
While no one wants to think about their own passing or that of a loved one, discussing these matters in advance prevents more difficult conversations later.
By planning ahead, you give yourself peace of mind and provide a lasting gift to your family—clarity, security, and support when they need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-planning simply means making funeral arrangements in advance. It involves gathering important family information and making key decisions about the type of service you want—such as where the funeral should take place, who might participate and taking note of any other specific details and requests.
By working with the team at Jerh. O’Connor Funeral Homes you can organise, document, and ensure that your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend.
Our experienced staff will guide you through the process, providing advice and ensuring you have all the necessary information about our products and services. This allows you to make informed decisions with confidence.You may choose to pre-pay for your arrangements or simply record your plans with us to be carried out when the time comes.
If you opt not to pre-pay, the costs will be invoiced to your estate or family at that time. Our team is here to explain your options and help you make the best choices.
While everyone has their own personal reasons for pre-planning, one of the most common motivations is protecting loved ones from the emotional and financial stress of making arrangements during a time of grief.
We strongly advocate for pre-planning because our experience has shown that:
✔ It is a stress-free process.
✔ It allows people to make thoughtful, pressure-free decisions with no time contraints
✔ It ensures families have clear guidance when the time comes.
By planning ahead, you can ensure your wishes are followed while giving your family peace of mind.
While pre-planning allows you to make key decisions in advance, pre-paying is an additional step that can help relieve financial burdens on your loved ones.
Pre-paying funeral expenses has become an essential part of estate planning. It’s a proactive way to take care of future costs so your family is not left with financial uncertainty.
Whether or not to pre-pay is a personal decision, influenced by your financial situation and preferences. If you choose to pre-pay:
You will receive an estimate of funeral expenses at today’s prices.
Funds can be lodged into an interest-bearing deposit account with your chosen bank, credit union, or post office.
To ensure your fund remains adequate, we recommend reviewing it annually to account for any price increases. If costs rise, you may need to deposit additional funds to maintain full coverage.
If you are considering pre-planning your funeral, please contact our office via phone at 021 450 7711 or via email at funerals@jerh.oconnor.ie, and our team will arrange an appointment at a time and place that suits you.