Have you ever watched Fortune Feimster’s comedy special on #netflix? I saw her in person here in #BillingsMontana and it was really a fun show! I highly recommend it.
But if you’ve seen it you may remember the bit where she talks about her mom proudly announcing they have a “family plot” at the cemetery. Fortune jokes about how her mom is thrilled about it, even though it’s not exactly the kind of family real estate you hope to use any time soon.
But behind the humor, there’s something important there: having a family plot is only one part of the plan.
A burial space is great to have in place—it’s smart, it’s often cheaper when you buy it ahead of time, and it keeps your loved ones from having to guess what you would have wanted. But here’s the thing: owning a cemetery plot doesn’t mean everything is taken care of.
What Most People Don’t Realize
When someone passes away, the plot is just one line item. You also need to think about:
- The cost of the burial itself
- Funeral or memorial services
- Embalming and/or cremation wants
- Transportation of the body
- Casket or urn
- Headstone and engraving
- Paperwork, permits, and professional service fees
All of these things add up—fast. The average funeral today costs $3,000 to $12,000. Even with a plot already purchased, your loved ones could still be left paying thousands out-of-pocket if there’s no pre-planning in place.
What Pre-Planning Really Means
Pre-planning your funeral is about more than buying a plot. It means sitting down with a licensed funeral home and laying out your:
- Final wishes
- Budget
- Preferences for services
- Payment options or coverage in advance
At Smith Funeral Chapels here in Billings, I help families do just that. We walk through everything you’d want (or not want) for your service, then we create a plan that fits your values and your budget.
And here’s the kicker: you can even pre-pay for it, or use a final expense life insurance policy to cover it so your family never sees a bill.
How Miss Katie Your Insruance Lady Can Help
As a licensed agent, I help people get:
- Life insurance to cover your final expenses (just enough to cover your funeral related costs)
- Plans grow in value over time
- Peace of mind knowing their family won’t be left scrambling
- Your family can grieve the way they want to, instead of spending the day at the funeral home working through your desires with a funeral director after your passing
I work directly with the local funeral home Smith Funeral Chapels to help you plan the whole picture—fully encompassing, not just the plot.
The Bottom Line
It’s great if your family already has cemetery plots picked out. That’s a huge first step! But it’s not the whole plan.
Think of it like this: buying the plot is like buying the oven. But a funeral? That’s the whole meal. If you don’t prep the rest, your family’s left with the recipe and no ingredients.
Let’s fix that. I can walk you through the process, help you understand the real costs, and make sure the money is set aside in a way that works for you.
Call or message me today and let’s check this off your list. Your future self (and your family) will thank you.
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Miss Katie Your Insurance Lady 
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