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Planning ahead for a funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. A pre-planning meeting with our team is a calm, unhurried conversation — not a high-pressure sales call — designed to put your wishes in writing and bring peace of mind to both you and your loved ones.
Inside our chapel — a warm, welcoming space we recently renovated to serve families with comfort and dignity.
The Gift of Planning Ahead
As a family-owned funeral home serving Montana families since 1939, we have long recognized that funeral pre-planning is an act of love. We believe: "Today, many people are recognizing that funeral pre-arrangement is a demonstration of love and consideration. It is a thoughtful decision that relieves the bereaved family from the unnecessary stress of indecision and uncertainty."
According to funeralbasics.org, after a loved one's death, surviving family members may need to answer between 100 and 200 questions before any kind of funeral or memorial service can take place. By answering those questions now — in a quiet, thoughtful setting — you spare your family from having to do it during one of the hardest moments of their lives.
Hospicebasics.org notes that the pre-planning process typically takes only about an hour to complete, and the specialist will listen to your wishes, review all the options, answer your questions, and help you put your preferences in writing.
"A thoughtfully prepared personalized funeral service can be an important first step in a healthy grieving process."
— funeralbasics.orgWhat Happens During the Meeting
When you meet with us, you can expect to be greeted by a knowledgeable, compassionate pre-planning specialist who will walk you through every step of the process at your own pace. There is no obligation and no pressure. The meeting is free, and we can even come to the comfort of your own home if you prefer.
Here is a look at the key topics you will cover together:
Gathering Your Vital Statistics
The specialist will ask for certain personal details — full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, mother's maiden name, and more. These statistics are needed after death to obtain permits, file for a death certificate, prepare the obituary, and — for veterans — to request military honors. Bringing this information to your appointment makes the process smoother for everyone.
Choosing Your Final Disposition
One of the first decisions is what type of final disposition you prefer. The most common choices are traditional burial and cremation, but we also offer natural burial options through Mountview Cemetery and other alternatives. There is no single right answer — it comes down to your personal values, beliefs, and what feels right for your family.
Selecting the Type of Service
Would you prefer a traditional funeral service, a celebration of life, a graveside service, or a memorial held after cremation? Do you want a public visitation or a private family gathering? These are exactly the types of questions our specialist will help you think through. We offer a full range of service options to honor lives regardless of preference, religion, or budget.
Personalizing Your Service
This is often the most meaningful part of the meeting. The pre-planning specialist will help you brainstorm ways to make your service uniquely yours — from the music played and readings shared, to symbols, stories, and special touches that reflect your life and personality. As nationally respected grief counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt says, "the best funerals are those that are personalized."
Veterans Benefits Discussion
If you are an honorably discharged veteran, the specialist will walk you through the burial benefits available to you at no cost to your family, including burial in a national veterans cemetery, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. These benefits apply to both burial and cremation. We are firmly committed to providing veterans a meaningful ceremony and take care of all the details on your behalf.
Reviewing Your Financial Options
At the end of the meeting, you will receive a free cost estimate for the options you have selected. If you choose to prefund your funeral, we can walk you through the two primary options: a prepaid funeral insurance policy or a funeral trust. Funds are set aside in an interest-earning policy or trust account to help offset the rising cost of services over time. Certain irrevocable plans can also help you qualify for Medicaid by counting as exempt assets.
A pre-planning meeting is a calm, personal conversation — and the beginning of a meaningful tribute.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
The more information you bring, the smoother and more productive your meeting will be. Below is a helpful checklist organized by category:
Personal Information
- Full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number
- Father's full name
- Mother's full maiden name
- Highest level of education
- Occupation / employer
For Veterans
- DD-214 discharge papers
- Branch of service
- Dates of service
- Rank at time of discharge
- Service number
- Medals & awards received
Legal & Financial Documents
- Will or estate plan
- Life insurance policy details
- Marriage / divorce certificates
- Birth certificate
- List of emergency contacts
Service Preferences
- Disposition preference (burial/cremation)
- Cemetery or final resting place
- Preferred type of service
- Music or readings you love
- Officiant preference
- Personal photos or memorabilia ideas
Making the Most of Your Meeting
Here are a few practical tips to help you feel confident going into your pre-planning appointment with us:
Consider bringing a family member
Pre-planning is a personal decision, but inviting a spouse, adult child, or close friend can be helpful. Having a trusted person with you ensures everyone hears the same information, and it opens up an important family conversation about your wishes. Our pre-planning specialist warmly welcomes whoever you would like to bring.
Don't feel rushed
One of the greatest benefits of pre-planning is that you have time on your side. Unlike making funeral arrangements in the immediate aftermath of a loss, a pre-planning meeting is unhurried. Our specialist will never rush you, and you are free to take your time with every decision. You can also take notes, ask as many questions as you need, and revisit decisions later.
Think about personalization before you arrive
Come with a few ideas about what makes your life unique — your hobbies, passions, the music you love, the places that matter to you, your faith tradition. These details are the building blocks of a personalized and healing service. We specialize in creating experiences that endure, and your personal details are what make that possible.
Don't worry if you don't have all the answers
The pre-planning specialist is an expert guide. You do not need to know every answer before you arrive. Part of our role is to educate you on options you may never have considered, and to help you make informed decisions that are right for you and your family. As funeralbasics.org puts it: "You don't know what you don't know" — and that's exactly what we're here for.
Four Generations of Compassionate Care in Billings
We have serving Montana families since 1939, with roots in funeral service dating back further, offering four generations of the Dahl family's experience to guide Montana families through life's most difficult moments. Located at 10 Yellowstone Avenue — nestled between the historic Moss Mansion and Central High School — our recently renovated facilities create a warm, welcoming space for families to gather.
As a full-service funeral home and crematory, we offer burial, cremation, preplanning, and monument services throughout Billings, Yellowstone County, and surrounding areas. We are proud members of the Montana Funeral Directors Association and are committed to serving every family with care, regardless of financial situation.
Our mission says it simply: "To minister to bereaved families by pursuing excellence in every aspect of our service to those families."
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