planning ahead

Why Should I Plan Ahead?

Losing a loved one is hard enough. Add in the many logistical and financial decisions that come with arranging a funeral or memorial service, and it can feel overwhelming and stressful. By planning yours in advance, you can remove these extra burdens from your loved ones during an already difficult time, and allow your family the space to remember, connect, and begin to heal. You also make sure your final wishes are carried out how you want and not decided through someone else’s best guesses.


By making your final arrangements ahead of time, you also save your family an added financial burden. Not only does it eliminate the difficult question of who will pay, preplanning locks in inflation-proof rates for years to come. We also offer flexible payment plans, making advanced planning a more convenient option.

Staff Photo

Nicole Westrick

CPC (Certified Planning Consultant)

Nicole grew up in Traverse City and graduated from Traverse City Senior High. She is a proud Spartan, having graduated from MSU with a degree in Social Science. Nicole joined the Reynolds Jonkhoff work family in 1997 and, in 1998, became a Certified Preplanning Consultant. This designation is recertified every four years with continuing education credits. Nicole feels honored to have helped over 7,000 families so far plan their funerals in advance. In her free time, Nicole enjoys family and friends, yoga, running, travel, reading, and the fresh water of Northern Michigan. She is married to Kevin and the proud mother of two grown daughters, Claire and Ellen. In the absence of kids at home, her dogs, Bo and Foster, keep her entertained.

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Staff Photo

Nicole Westrick

CPC (Certified Planning Consultant)

Nicole grew up in Traverse City and graduated from Traverse City Senior High. She is a proud Spartan, having graduated from MSU with a degree in Social Science. Nicole joined the Reynolds Jonkhoff work family in 1997 and, in 1998, became a Certified Preplanning Consultant. This designation is recertified every four years with continuing education credits. Nicole feels honored to have helped over 7,000 families so far plan their funerals in advance. In her free time, Nicole enjoys family and friends, yoga, running, travel, reading, and the fresh water of Northern Michigan. She is married to Kevin and the proud mother of two grown daughters, Claire and Ellen. In the absence of kids at home, her dogs, Bo and Foster, keep her entertained.

Staff Photo

Brooke Stevens

Preplanning Consultant

Prior to joining the Reynolds Jonkhoff work family in 2016, Brooke was a fundraising professional. She held the position of Annual Giving Manager at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Foundation in Bozeman, Montana and then Executive Director of the West Shore Hospital Foundation in Manistee.
Brooke's favorite part about working with donors and now people preplanning for their final wishes are the stories. Everyone has a unique and special story even if they don't think they do. Brooke finds it an honor to be able to help people craft a plan to honor those stories when they are gone. Brooke is married to Wayne, has three amazing adult children; Charlie, Garrett, and Abby, and a Miniature Aussiedoodle named, Mocha.

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Staff Photo

Brooke Stevens

Preplanning Consultant

Prior to joining the Reynolds Jonkhoff work family in 2016, Brooke was a fundraising professional. She held the position of Annual Giving Manager at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Foundation in Bozeman, Montana and then Executive Director of the West Shore Hospital Foundation in Manistee.
Brooke's favorite part about working with donors and now people preplanning for their final wishes are the stories. Everyone has a unique and special story even if they don't think they do. Brooke finds it an honor to be able to help people craft a plan to honor those stories when they are gone. Brooke is married to Wayne, has three amazing adult children; Charlie, Garrett, and Abby, and a Miniature Aussiedoodle named, Mocha.

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Planning Ahead Let's Your Wishes Be Known

The death of a loved one often brings about unwarranted stress and turmoil among families. One family member wants one thing, while another family member wants something different.


By planning ahead, you help prevent those disagreements by letting your family know what your wishes are and how you want your funeral service to be carried out and your business handled.

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Planning Ahead Offers Peace of Mind

Our staff will carry out the arrangements you want, just as you directed. Once the plans have been arranged, you and your family can rest easy knowing at the time of death, those uncomfortable decisions have been made. In a time when a family should be able to grieve, preplanning allows for that to happen.

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Planning Ahead Offers Flexible Funding Options

When you preplan your funeral arrangements, there are more options when it comes to funding the funeral. A preneed insurance policy, life insurance policy or other payment options can all be arranged before the time of death. At the time of death, services must be paid in full, so having options ahead of time can also reduce other stress related to losing someone.

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Planning Ahead Relieves the Burden From Family

Following the death of a loved one, there are more than 150 decisions that have to be made within the first day or two following the death. Those stressful decisions on top of the stress of grieving a loss can be eliminated by arranging your final wishes ahead of time. If those decisions are made, your loved ones aren’t left wondering what you would have wanted and how they should proceed with funeral plans. With those decisions out of the way, your loved one can begin the healing process sooner.

Common Questions about Preplanning

  • What steps are involved in prearranging a funeral?

    The first step would be to write down your wishes. Indicate if you would prefer burial or cremation. Write down your ideas for the service you would like, cemetery choice, etc. If you've made those choices, or even if you're unsure, schedule a time to meet with one of our funeral directors who can explain the different service options, merchandise choices, as well as the different ways to pay for the funeral.


  • What information do I need to prearrange a funeral?

    You'll need basic information about yourself or the person you are planning for, such as date of birth, marital status, parent's full names, etc. Besides the biological information, you'll need to choose burial or cremation, what type of service you'd like, what cemetery to use, etc. Our caring staff will help you with this process.


  • Do I have to pay in advance?

    Preplanning is merely making your wishes known; however, most families who do this also choose to pre-fund their funeral. Doing so will relieve the financial burden on your family and offer peace of mind to you.