AARP Survey Reveals Interesting Pre-Need Planning Statistics

Earlier this month, AARP published the findings of its Funeral and Burial Planners Survey, a telephone poll of 1,087 Americans who are age 50 and older concerning whether they have preplanned or prepaid for a funeral or burial. Interestingly, 64 percent said they have never been contacted (by mail, phone, in person or online) about purchasing a funeral. Even more, 67 percent said they have never been contacted about purchasing a burial space. These figures represent an increase from past years' AARP surveys: In 1995, 60 percent said they were never contacted about funerals; in 1998, 61 percent said they were never contacted about burial space.

Some of the results track the industry-sponsored Wirthlin surveys. For example, the 2005 Wirthlin report shows that 64 percent of consumers age 40 and older have not taken any steps for prearrangement. The new AARP survey shows that 65 percent of consumers have not prearranged. However, unlike the Wirthlin reports, the AARP survey never inquires about the level of satisfaction, positive or negative, that consumers experienced in dealing with the funeral profession.

The complete AARP survey can be viewed on the organization's Web site.