When someone dies, it’s the survivors who, in the midst of a difficult time, have to make the funeral arrangements. During those moments of grief, handling the details of a memorial service can add even more onto the plate of those who are trying to deal with the loss.
Pre-planning a funeral not only guarantees that your end-of-life wishes are honored and prepaid for, but it also takes the pressure off loved ones.
“Preplanning isn’t being morbid; it’s one of the kindest, most loving things you can do for the people you’ll leave behind,” says David Perry, advanced planning director at J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home. “It turns a potentially overwhelming time into one where they can just focus on remembering and honoring you.”
Funeral planning can start through simple steps, like having a short conversation with a trusted funeral director or jotting down notes about how you’d like the service to go.
“When you are preplanning your funeral, you should first decide the type of service you want and then make preparations for the financial aspects,” explains Perry.
In addition to your own wishes, consider what your survivors may need. “Often, people come to me and say, ‘ Hey, just cremate me,’ but they don’t consider that their loved ones need closure,” shares Erin Maser, advanced planning director at Stuhr’s. “It might be a good idea to discuss this with your immediate family.”
Choosing a Service Type
When selecting a type of service, you can choose from burial or cremation, or newer options like a natural burial. A natural or green burial allows the body to be returned to the earth and naturally recycled into new life, usually without the use of embalming fluids, metal caskets, or concrete vaults.
“Other things to think about include what type of casket, if needed, and service you want,” adds Perry. “For example, a traditional funeral, simple memorial, celebration of life, religious elements, or none at all. Then, select any music, readings, special people to involve, and any preferences for things like flowers, attire, or charities for donations instead of flowers.”
Considering the Costs
The expenses of a funeral vary and depend on what’s included in your plans.
“Funeral expenses can add up quickly, and prices tend to rise over time,” says Perry, who advises customers to ask for itemized price lists – your right under Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules – check reviews, and think about location and services. “You don’t have to prepay everything, but many people choose to lock in today’s prices through a pre-need plan or trust, which can protect against inflation.”
Maser adds that another reason for preplanning is that Stuhr’s guarantees their pricing. “For instance, if you come in today and pay, no matter when you pass, there will be no more monies owed,” she says.
If you do prepay, confirm that your arrangements are transferable if you move and that the funds are protected.
“In South Carolina, we are not allowed to take your money and put it into our bank account,” explains Maser. “It has to go into a funding vehicle – a life insurance policy – just for your end-of-life expenses. That policy is transferable anywhere, so if you move, you can take it with you and set it up with another funeral home.”
If you have purchased a life insurance policy to cover your funeral costs, you can still make all of your arrangements ahead of time, with one caveat. “The only downside to that is that we can’t guarantee the price when using an insurance policy,” says Maser.
Once you have selected the details of your service, Perry suggests writing them down in a simple document or using a funeral home’s pre-planning form.
“Then—most importantly—tell your family or executor about it, share copies, and keep the original in an accessible spot, not just in a safe-deposit box that might be hard to open quickly,” he adds. “This one step prevents family arguments, guesswork, and added stress during grief, and ensures your farewell reflects you instead of default decisions.”
You can start the funeral pre-planning process online with Stuhr Funeral Home’s planning tool. There’s no obligation or pressure. It’s a resource to help you determine budget and start working through details to give you and your loved one’s peace of mind.
Funeral Director Spotlight: Kimberly Knight
Born and raised in the heart of Summerville, Kimberly Knight has worked in the funeral home industry for 17 years and now serves as the managing funeral director at the Northwoods Chapel.
Experiences that Shaped The Career
“I knew the importance of having a funeral director with empathy and decided I wanted to minister to families in this way,” said Knight. “It is a passion of mine to serve families and minister to them at one of the most difficult times of their lives.”
Professional Path
Knight worked hard to obtain the necessary certifications so she could serve families effectively. She completed a two-year apprenticeship, during which she obtained her Funeral Director License from the SCFDA by passing the State Board and the South Carolina Laws Exam. Additionally, Knight earned her Preneed license by attending specialized classes and passing a National Board Exam. This extensive preparation and training equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide families through one of life’s most challenging times and serve the community that has been her home since childhood. She also considers the work she put into earning her certifications, especially her Preneed license, some of the greatest achievements in her career.
Career with Stuhr’s Funeral Home
Knight’s journey with the J. Henry Stuhr family began in March 2022.
“Knowing Stuhr’s reputation, I was excited and eager to continue my career in the funeral industry with them. It amazes me that the company was founded in 1865 and is still family-owned and operated.”
Since becoming the managing funeral director at the Northwoods Chapel location, Knight has been proud to serve the tri-county area and help people manage their grief with love and compassion. She has also been able to help clients navigate Stuhr’s comprehensive aftercare program, which assists with insurance, retirement, VA benefits, Social Security and Grief Support, ensuring that families have all the resources they need and their questions answered.
Life outside the industry
When Knight isn’t serving the people of Charleston, she is deeply committed to being involved in her community and church. She serves alongside her husband, Sam, who is a youth pastor at Miles Road Baptist Church. Family is at the core of her being, and she cherishes the time she spends with her husband and children, Taylor, Colton, and his wife, Summer; Garret and his wife, Selena; and her two beautiful granddaughters, Talley and Layla.
In the spirit of the family-owned connection within Stuhr Funeral Home, Knight’s daughter, Taylor, is following in her mother’s footsteps and now works with the Stuhr team as well.
Just like the rest of her team, Knight is committed to providing grieving families with unmatched compassion, care, and support throughout every step of the grieving process. Her journey in the funeral home industry is not just a career; it’s a deeper calling and an honor to walk alongside people during their most challenging times and be a beacon of light in the darkness.
Stuhr Funeral Home, a trusted name in funeral service for more than 150 years, understands that everyone grieves differently. They have the resources and experts to help you prepare for every aspect of the service. Together, they’re dedicated to providing the best and most professional care for their clients during their time of grieving and healing. For more information, stop by one of our locations in the area or contact us online.
Planning Ahead: What Families Should Know About Pre-Planning a Funeral
When someone dies, it’s the survivors who, in the midst of a difficult time, have to make the funeral arrangements. During those moments of grief, handling the details of a memorial service can add even more onto the plate of those who are trying to deal with the loss.
Pre-planning a funeral not only guarantees that your end-of-life wishes are honored and prepaid for, but it also takes the pressure off loved ones.
“Preplanning isn’t being morbid; it’s one of the kindest, most loving things you can do for the people you’ll leave behind,” says David Perry, advanced planning director at J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home. “It turns a potentially overwhelming time into one where they can just focus on remembering and honoring you.”
Funeral planning can start through simple steps, like having a short conversation with a trusted funeral director or jotting down notes about how you’d like the service to go.
“When you are preplanning your funeral, you should first decide the type of service you want and then make preparations for the financial aspects,” explains Perry.
In addition to your own wishes, consider what your survivors may need. “Often, people come to me and say, ‘ Hey, just cremate me,’ but they don’t consider that their loved ones need closure,” shares Erin Maser, advanced planning director at Stuhr’s. “It might be a good idea to discuss this with your immediate family.”
Choosing a Service Type
When selecting a type of service, you can choose from burial or cremation, or newer options like a natural burial. A natural or green burial allows the body to be returned to the earth and naturally recycled into new life, usually without the use of embalming fluids, metal caskets, or concrete vaults.
“Other things to think about include what type of casket, if needed, and service you want,” adds Perry. “For example, a traditional funeral, simple memorial, celebration of life, religious elements, or none at all. Then, select any music, readings, special people to involve, and any preferences for things like flowers, attire, or charities for donations instead of flowers.”
Considering the Costs
The expenses of a funeral vary and depend on what’s included in your plans.
“Funeral expenses can add up quickly, and prices tend to rise over time,” says Perry, who advises customers to ask for itemized price lists – your right under Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules – check reviews, and think about location and services. “You don’t have to prepay everything, but many people choose to lock in today’s prices through a pre-need plan or trust, which can protect against inflation.”
Maser adds that another reason for preplanning is that Stuhr’s guarantees their pricing. “For instance, if you come in today and pay, no matter when you pass, there will be no more monies owed,” she says.
If you do prepay, confirm that your arrangements are transferable if you move and that the funds are protected.
“In South Carolina, we are not allowed to take your money and put it into our bank account,” explains Maser. “It has to go into a funding vehicle – a life insurance policy – just for your end-of-life expenses. That policy is transferable anywhere, so if you move, you can take it with you and set it up with another funeral home.”
If you have purchased a life insurance policy to cover your funeral costs, you can still make all of your arrangements ahead of time, with one caveat. “The only downside to that is that we can’t guarantee the price when using an insurance policy,” says Maser.
Once you have selected the details of your service, Perry suggests writing them down in a simple document or using a funeral home’s pre-planning form.
“Then—most importantly—tell your family or executor about it, share copies, and keep the original in an accessible spot, not just in a safe-deposit box that might be hard to open quickly,” he adds. “This one step prevents family arguments, guesswork, and added stress during grief, and ensures your farewell reflects you instead of default decisions.”
You can start the funeral pre-planning process online with Stuhr Funeral Home’s planning tool. There’s no obligation or pressure. It’s a resource to help you determine budget and start working through details to give you and your loved one’s peace of mind.