More Americans Are Planning Their Final Chapter—Before It's Urgent

Why “Post-Post Retirement” Planning Is Gaining Popularity

Most of us spend decades preparing for retirement—saving diligently, reviewing investment strategies, and fine-tuning how we’ll spend our golden years. But a growing number of Americans are taking one extra step: planning for what comes after retirement.

According to a study by the National Conversation Project, 90% of people believe that talking with a loved one about end-of-life matters is important, but only 27% have actually done so. As baby boomers age and Gen Xers begin to consider their long-term legacy, there’s a clear shift happening: more people are embracing end-of-life planning as part of a full-circle retirement strategy.

That’s where the idea of Post-Post Retirement Planning comes in.

This emerging trend includes everything from selecting a final resting place to outlining memorial preferences and making practical decisions like casket or cremation arrangements—before the decisions become urgent. While funeral homes typically handle services and ceremonies, cemeteries like Cleveland’s historic Lake View Cemetery are stepping up to support individuals and families with pre-planning tools and guidance tailored to long-term peace of mind.

Why Consider Pre-Planning?

End-of-life planning may not be a comfortable conversation topic, but families who’ve been through it know how valuable it can be. Here’s why pre-planning matters:

• Reduce stress for loved ones: During times of grief, decision-making is often rushed and emotional. Pre-planning lifts that burden.
• Lock in today’s costs: Cemetery prices tend to rise over time. Planning early secures current pricing and helps avoid inflation surprises.
• Ensure your wishes are followed: Whether you want a specific headstone, a natural burial, or your plot near family, pre-planning ensures it happens your way.
• Tell your story your way: Every person is a story; pre-planning allows you to tell your story just how you imagine it.

One Local Example: Lake View Cemetery

Lake View Cemetery, founded in 1869 and home to over 105,000 “stories” (including President James A. Garfield and industrialist John D. Rockefeller), has launched a renewed effort to encourage individuals and families to explore what they call Post-Post Retirement Planning. The campaign is uses a touch of humor to address a serious issue, providing a gentle nudge to consider the practical and meaningful steps that come after retirement planning ends.

While many know Lake View for its remarkable beauty and historical significance, its staff has become equally known for helping people personalize their future plans, from choosing burial or cremation sites to discussing custom memorial options. In fact, they’re currently offering special promotions and consultations to make it easier to get started.

A Legacy of Your Own

End-of-life planning isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about telling your story your way, and making sure your loved ones are spared from the burden of having to guess your wishes.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about these plans or are ready to put them in place, Lake View Cemetery encourages you to start the conversation. Their team offers compassionate guidance, personalized options, and a beautiful, peaceful place to call your forever home.

To learn more or schedule a planning session, visit lakeviewcemetery.com/plan or call 216-421-2665.