Planning for the future is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your loved ones. Funeral and cremation arrangements can be emotionally and financially overwhelming when families must make decisions after a loss. That’s why many people today choose funeral pre-planning services before any need arises.
Two names families often encounter when researching options are Legacy of Love Funeral Planning and Dignity Memorial. While both organizations support families preparing for end-of-life arrangements, they serve very different roles — and understanding those differences can help you decide which option is truly best for your family.
Dignity Memorial is the largest provider of funeral, cremation, and cemetery services in North America. Launched in 1999, it is owned by Service Corporation International (SCI) and operates approximately 1,900 funeral homes and cemeteries across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Unlike Legacy of Love, Dignity Memorial focuses primarily on providing funeral and cremation services — although they also offer pre-planning options tied to their network of funeral homes. They offer a highly standardized experience backed by corporate guarantees and a large-scale logistics network, and are well-equipped for traditional, full-service religious or secular funerals.
Because Dignity Memorial owns its facilities, pre-planning with them typically involves arranging services within their own funeral home network. Pre-paid funeral plans with Dignity generally hold funds in a trust or specialized insurance product tied directly to their locations.
Dignity Memorial services include:
Legacy of Love is a nationwide, independent funeral pre-planning service that helps individuals and families make arrangements before a death occurs. Rather than operating funeral homes, Legacy of Love specializes in helping families organize plans ahead of time with the funeral home of their choosing — including local, family-owned providers.
Legacy of Love currently serves families nationwide, except in New York, Alaska, and Maine.
Legacy of Love specializes in:
In short: Legacy of Love is your funeral planning and financial protection partner. We provide an A+ BBB-rated experience designed to give your family total freedom and control over how and where your life is celebrated.
While both organizations help families think about the future, their approach to planning is quite different.
| Feature | Dignity Memorial | Legacy of Love |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Funeral & cremation services; pre-arrangement packages | Independent funeral pre-planning service |
| Corporate Structure | Large corporate provider (SCI, ~1,900 locations) | Independent planning service — not a funeral home |
| Funeral Home Choice | Generally tied to Dignity Memorial / SCI network | Use ANY licensed funeral home in the U.S. |
| Portability | Some portability between Dignity locations | Fully portable — anywhere in the U.S. |
| Service Options | Traditional burial, cremation, cemetery services | All options: burial, cremation, green burial, celebration of life |
| Funding Method | Trust or insurance tied to their network | Portable insurance; proceeds paid to named family beneficiary |
| Medicaid Planning | Limited — contract may count as a Medicaid asset | Irrevocable funeral trusts designed for Medicaid compliance available |
| Concierge Advocacy | Limited concierge planning services. Luxury "white glove" service available via Dignity Memorial Premier Collection | Independent local expert counselors from Legacy of Love, with an add-on funeral concierge service (Sequoia) available to all customers |
| Travel Protection | Not offered | Available — covers logistics costs if death occurs 75+ miles from home |
| BBB Accreditation | Varies by location | A+ Accredited |
One of the most important differences between the two options is flexibility — specifically, whether your plan is tied to a corporate network or free to travel with you anywhere.
Dignity Memorial can be an ideal choice for families seeking a well-known, established brand with a local physical presence and a broad range of cemetery and burial options. Their size allows for a genuine “one-stop-shop” experience — from the casket to the burial plot — all under one roof.
Legacy of Love is a better fit for families who prioritize independence and portability. The Legacy of Love customer values the security of a documented, funded roadmap — a Final Wishes plan and burial insurance — that ensures their specific end-of-life preferences are honored regardless of location or provider. If you want to support a local funeral home, move to a new state, or simply keep your options open, Legacy of Love gives you that freedom.
Choose Dignity Memorial if:
Choose Legacy of Love if:
One of the most significant differences between a corporate funeral provider and an independent planning service involves financial flexibility — especially for families navigating Medicaid eligibility or long-term estate planning.
Legacy of Love specializes in these complex requirements through Irrevocable Funeral Trusts (IFTs) and portable insurance solutions:
Legacy of Love focuses on the financial health of your estate, ensuring your final wishes are funded and your family’s future is secure.
More families are researching funeral pre-planning options as they look for ways to reduce stress and protect loved ones from difficult decisions after a loss. According to a 2025 National Funeral Directors Association article, nearly 30% of families now complete all funeral arrangements online. The article also noted that 19.4% have pre-planned and prepaid for arrangements, primarily to guarantee prices and relieve survivors of financial burden, while 31.8% prefer a hybrid approach combining online planning with funeral expert consultation (the Legacy of Love model).
A National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Member General Price List Study shows that funerals can end up costing 20%–40% more without a plan in place — typically driven by last-minute add-ons and package pricing that grieving families rarely negotiate. A Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) survey noted that a family in crisis typically chooses the nearest funeral home or the one their family has used before, regardless of price.
Planning ahead offers several meaningful advantages:
Pre-planning your funeral is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for the people you love. It takes difficult decisions off their shoulders, protects them from overspending under grief, and ensures your wishes are honored exactly as you intend. With Legacy of Love, it starts for FREE.
Start My Free Funeral Plan →If you’re unsure which option is right for you, speaking with a funeral planning professional — for free — can help clarify your choices before a crisis occurs. Legacy of Love Funeral Planning is here to educate, guide, and advocate so that you and your family can feel prepared, protected, and at peace.
At Legacy of Love, we guide families through every step of funeral pre-planning with compassion, clarity, and transparency. If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, we’re here to help you make confident decisions and create a service that truly reflects your loved one’s life and values. Reach out today and let us support you. Start Your FREE Funeral Plan Here » or call us now at 833-888-0355.
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