Preplanning
Give yourself one less decision to make later
No one wants to think about losing their pet before it happens. But planning ahead, while you have a clear mind and time to think, is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself and for them.
Pre-planning means that whenever the day comes, you and your family already know what will happen, what it will cost, and who to call. All you'll need to do is call.
For every kind of goodbye
Some goodbyes come slowly. A pet grows older, and you have time to prepare, to think, to plan.
Others don't. Some goodbyes arrive without any warning at all, in the middle of an ordinary day, and they leave you with no time to think and no space to prepare.
This is where pre-planning matters most. When you're in the thick of grieving, the last thing you want to be doing is researching options, comparing prices, or figuring out logistics for the first time. Pre-planning means that work is already done, so all you have to do is call.
Pre-planning isn't only for pets who are aging or declining. It's for anyone who wants to know, ahead of time, that no matter how the day comes, they won't have to make hard decisions while they're in shock. The plan is already there, waiting.
Why families choose to plan ahead
Whatever the circumstance, you shouldn't have to sit down and choose an urn from a catalog in the same breath as saying goodbye. Deciding between paw prints and nose prints, one style of urn or another, one size or finish over another, these are small decisions, but not when you're making them through grief, and not all at once, and especially not when the loss caught you completely off guard.
Thinking about this ahead of time, while your pet is still here with you, takes a kind of courage. It's not giving up on them, and it's not something only for pets who are aging or sick. It's making sure that whenever the hardest day comes, you already know how your pet is coming home, and you're not left guessing in the middle of the worst moment of your year.
Pre-planning lets you:
- Choose how you want to remember your pet while you can think clearly, not in the middle of loss
- Know exactly what to expect, down to the urn and the keepsakes, so nothing is left uncertain
- Be prepared no matter how the loss happens, whether it's a long goodbye or a sudden one
- Lock in today's pricing, protected against future increases
- Have a plan already in place, so nothing is left to figure out in the moment
- Start your hospice journey with support already in place, if and when you need it
How it works
Free consultation
We'll talk through your pet's needs, your family's wishes, and what pre-planning can look like for you. No cost, no obligation. Well-behaved pets are always welcome to come along, if you'd like them there.
Complete your agreement
Once you're ready, we'll walk through the full pre-planning agreement together. This covers your pet's information, your chosen cremation type, memorial add-ons, and how remains should be returned. You'll also name a designated alternate, someone besides you who is authorized to activate the plan if needed.
Secure your pricing
A $75 deposit locks in your pricing and completes your agreement. This deposit is held separately, applied in full to your invoice when services are needed, and protected: as long as our underlying costs stay substantially the same, your price won't change. If costs do shift, we'll give you 60 days written notice before any adjustment, and your deposit still applies either way.
We notify your vet
With your permission, we reach out to your primary veterinary clinic to let them know you've chosen Goodbye at Home, so everyone is aligned ahead of time.
Your plan is ready when you need it
When the time comes, you call us. We already know your wishes, your pricing, and how to proceed. That's one less thing to carry.
What's included
Every pre-planning agreement includes one complimentary hospice pre-planning session (a $120 value), where we talk through what to expect as your pet's condition progresses and how to recognize comfort or distress along the way. Additional hospice visits are available at standard rates, honored under the same pricing protection as the rest of your plan.
Your deposit, explained simply
- $75 to lock in your pricing and complete your agreement
- Held in a dedicated account, separate from daily business funds
- Applied in full to your invoice at time of service
- Non-refundable, though exceptions may be considered for extenuating circumstances
- Fully refunded within 30 days if Goodbye at Home ever ceases operations
- Tied to your pet and your plan, not transferable to another pet or provider
Pre-planning isn't about expecting the worst. It's about making sure that when the day comes, you and your pet are met with care, not confusion.
Aftercare
Support for after
Losing a pet is a real loss. We provide resources to help you and your family process the experience, support groups, books, and tools that have helped others through pet loss.
We maintain a lending library of books on pet loss, including titles written specifically to help children understand and process the experience. We also host a free monthly pet loss support group, open to the community regardless of whether you used our services.