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Vol. IFrequently Asked Questions

The questions families ask first.

Plain-language answers to the most common funeral planning, trust and will, and life insurance questions. If you can't find what you need here, our AI assistant can walk you through it in conversation.

Documents10–12Death certificate copies typically needed within the first month.
Cost$2K–$12KU.S. funeral cost range — cremation at the low end, traditional burial at the high end.
Timeline30–60Days to process most life insurance claims, once paperwork is in order.

Topics in this volume

01

Funeral Concierge

5 questions
Q·01.01

What happens in the first 24 hours after a death?

The immediate priorities are: obtaining a legal pronouncement of death, contacting a funeral home for transport of the remains, notifying close family, and securing the deceased's home if they lived alone. Our AI assistant walks you through each step in order of urgency.

Q·01.02

How much does a funeral typically cost?

In the U.S., the average funeral costs $7,000-$12,000 for a traditional burial, or $2,000-$5,000 for cremation. Costs vary significantly by region. Veterans may qualify for free burial in national cemeteries. Our system compares providers in your area within your stated budget.

Q·01.03

What's the difference between cremation and burial?

Cremation is the process of reducing remains through heat, resulting in ashes that can be kept, scattered, or interred. Burial involves placing the body in a casket in the ground or a mausoleum. Cremation is generally less expensive and offers more flexibility in timing memorial services.

Q·01.04

What documents do I need to gather?

Key documents include: death certificates (order 10-12 copies), the deceased's Social Security card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, DD-214 (if a veteran), will/trust, life insurance policies, and property deeds. Our system tracks which documents you've uploaded and which are still needed.

Q·01.05

Can I plan a funeral without a funeral home?

In most states, you are not legally required to use a funeral home, though regulations vary. Home funerals and direct burials are options. However, funeral homes handle most of the complex logistics — transport, death certificate filing, and coordination with cemeteries — which most families find valuable during a difficult time.

02

Trust & Will Planning

3 questions
Q·02.01

What's the difference between a will and a trust?

A will is a legal document that directs how your assets are distributed after death — it goes through probate court. A trust holds assets during your lifetime and transfers them directly to beneficiaries without probate, offering more privacy and often faster distribution. Many people benefit from having both.

Q·02.02

Do I need a lawyer to create a will?

While you can create a simple will using online services, consulting an estate planning attorney is recommended for anyone with significant assets, minor children, blended families, or complex wishes. A properly drafted will reduces the chance of legal challenges and ensures your wishes are followed.

Q·02.03

What happens if someone dies without a will?

When someone dies 'intestate' (without a will), state law determines how assets are distributed — typically to the surviving spouse first, then children, then other relatives. This may not match what the deceased would have wanted, and the probate process is often longer and more expensive.

03

Life Insurance

3 questions
Q·03.01

What is final expense insurance?

Final expense insurance (also called burial insurance) is a small whole life policy — typically $5,000 to $25,000 — designed to cover funeral costs, medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses. It has simplified underwriting, making it accessible to people who might not qualify for larger policies.

Q·03.02

How do I file a life insurance claim?

Contact the insurance company with the policy number and a certified copy of the death certificate. Most claims are processed within 30-60 days. If you can't find the policy, check with the deceased's financial advisor, look through mail and email for premium notices, or search the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator.

Q·03.03

What's the difference between term and whole life insurance?

Term life covers a specific period (10, 20, or 30 years) and is less expensive. Whole life covers your entire lifetime and builds cash value over time. For pure death benefit protection, term is more cost-effective. For estate planning and guaranteed coverage, whole life offers permanence.

04

Process

3 questions
Q·04.01

How does the AI assistant work?

Our AI assistant guides you through funeral planning step by step. You share your situation in natural language, and the system extracts key details, generates a personalized checklist, recommends local providers within your budget, drafts an obituary, and tracks your progress. All information is saved so you can return anytime.

Q·04.02

Is my information private and secure?

Yes. All case data is stored in a secure, encrypted database. We do not share personal information with third parties. Provider recommendations are based on your stated preferences, not advertising relationships. You control what information is shared and with whom.

Q·04.03

Can multiple family members collaborate on a case?

We offer case sharing via a unique link. Anyone with the link can view the case dashboard, including the checklist, plan details, and uploaded documents. This makes it easy to coordinate with siblings, a spouse, or other family members during planning.

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FAQ — funeral planning, estate, and end-of-life questions | LegacyCompass