Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Homes and Johnson Memorial Gardens in Valley and Lanett stand ready to assist you in preplanning a personalized funeral service, celebration of life, or cremation.

We encourage all of our families to consider the following when deciding it is time to pre-pay for any services or merchandise. These questions may help you avoid any potential financial pitfalls and also dispel any misleading information.

Did the new management or owners set up a reserve account to provide for services and merchandise that you had previously paid for?

Has the company filed bankruptcy in the past?

Did the company refund any of your money paid in?

Are the owners local in our community?  Are the owners affiliated with a corporation?

Consider the reputation, longevity and stability of the funeral home or cemetery in the community.  

Financial stability is typically congruent with firms with established reputations and longevity.

How large, in terms of dollars, are managed by the trust or institution protecting your assets?

Is the funeral home or cemetery authorized by the Alabama State Department of Insurance to actively engage in selling pre-arranged funerals or cemetery merchandise?  Do your due diligence and reach out to the Alabama Department of Insurance Preneed Division to inquire about a firm's compliance - (334)240-4420.

Are the directors or owners knowledgeable of the state laws regarding pre-paid funerals or requirements for a cemetery enforced by the Alabama Department of Insurance?

What does the funeral home or cemetery do with your money once they receive it?

Does the funeral home or cemetery place 100% of your money into an approved trust or what method of funding is used?

Do they keep any portion of your money for administrative or compensation costs?

Do they guarantee the cost of your funeral or cemetery merchandise and services when the contract is paid in full?

Are there any hidden fees such as finance fees, interest expenses, or administrative processing fees?

What happens if the funeral home closes and or files for bankruptcy protection?


These are all important questions that all consumers should ask any funeral home or cemetery before you decide to pre-pay for your services and or funeral.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Homes specializes in preplanning. Call us today and we can answer any questions you may have. (334)768-2141