For many families, conversations about death don’t begin until they’re standing in a funeral home making decisions under impossible circumstances.

It’s a reality that Dr. Christie K. Moore has witnessed countless times.

As the owner of Mansfield Funeral Home, Moore believes those conversations should happen long before a family experiences loss. That’s the inspiration behind Planning with Purpose, a new monthly educational series from DW and Mansfield Funeral Home designed to help readers prepare not only for the inevitable, but for the people they’ll leave behind.

This new monthly series encourages readers to approach funeral planning as an extension of life planning. By focusing on education, preparation, and legacy, Planning with Purpose seeks to equip families with the knowledge needed to ease emotional and financial burdens before a crisis occurs.

One of the biggest misconceptions about funeral homes

One of the first myths Moore hopes to dispel is one many families have never questioned.

People often believe they have to use the same funeral home their parents or grandparents used.

According to Moore, that’s simply not true.

“The misconception is that they have to go where they’ve always gone,” Moore said. “Just because your grandmother used a particular funeral home or your parents did doesn’t mean that’s where you have to go.”

She compares the decision to any other service.

“When people pick restaurants, once a restaurant doesn’t serve them properly, they usually move on. When it comes to funeral homes, you have that same right. You don’t have to continue supporting funeral homes that don’t support you, your community or honor your loved one’s life.”

For Moore, choosing a funeral home should be intentional—not based solely on tradition.

Families should research providers, ask questions, read reviews, evaluate the level of care offered and determine whether a funeral home’s culture aligns with how they want their loved one’s life celebrated.

When should planning begin?

Many people assume funeral planning is something to think about in retirement.

Moore disagrees.

She encourages adults to begin planning much earlier than most people expect—even while raising young children.

“I definitely recommend parents covering their children because most pre-need policies have a child rider that will cover the child or grandchild of the person who’s insured up to 17 years of age,” she said.

Once children reach adulthood, she recommends establishing their own policy.

“The reason you do that is because no matter what happens, something is already in place,” Moore explained. “You don’t have to start from the very beginning trying to figure out what your loved one would have wanted.”

Planning ahead doesn’t eliminate grief.

It simply removes unnecessary financial pressure and difficult decision-making during one of life’s most emotional moments.

The first step isn’t paperwork—it’s mindset

While many people assume funeral planning begins with paperwork or financial decisions, Moore believes the first step is much simpler: changing your mindset. She encourages families to recognize that planning ahead is not something to put off, but rather a priority that can provide lasting peace of mind. Once that mental shift happens, she says, the rest of the process becomes far less intimidating. Families can begin by researching funeral homes, reading online reviews, learning about their involvement in the community, and determining whether a funeral home’s values and approach align with the type of celebration they envision for their loved one.

From there, Moore advises taking the next step and establishing a relationship with the funeral home of your choice. “Once you give them a call and establish that connection, then that funeral director should be responsible enough to keep in contact with you to encourage you to complete the process,” she said. The planning process itself typically takes no more than 20 to 30 minutes, she added. “Once you’re done, you’re done. You can carry on with the rest of your life,” knowing your wishes have been documented and your family will have one less burden to carry when the time comes.

From funerals to celebrations of life

One of Moore’s most impactful messages is that funeral planning should be viewed as an opportunity to celebrate a life rather than simply mourn a loss. She encourages families to shift their perspective from focusing solely on death to honoring the memories, relationships, values and legacy their loved one leaves behind. By planning ahead, families are better positioned to create a meaningful celebration that reflects the individual’s life while reducing unnecessary stress during an already emotional time.

That shift—from fear to preparation and from loss to legacy—is the foundation of Planning with Purpose. Each month, the series will provide readers with practical guidance on topics such as pre-planning, estate preparation, veterans’ benefits, caregiving, grief resources, financial considerations and the important family conversations that are too often delayed until a crisis occurs. Ultimately, the goal is to help families understand that the greatest gift they can leave behind isn’t simply a well-planned funeral—it’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones will be cared for and their wishes honored.

Planning Checklist

One Action to Take This Month

✔️ Start the conversation.

Ask yourself—and your loved ones—these three questions:

• If something happened to me tomorrow, would my family know my wishes?
• Do they know where my important documents are?
• Have I chosen the funeral home I want to serve my family?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” today is a great day to begin.

Planning with Purpose is a monthly educational series presented by Dallas Weekly in partnership with Mansfield Funeral Home, dedicated to helping families prepare with confidence, protect their legacy and make informed decisions before they’re needed.

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