Before You Go by Cathy Boomer
- Mission Point Press
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Why Planning Your Funeral Makes Sense
Make your final wishes known, support your survivors in their time of grief with new funeral planning guide
Traverse City, Michigan—It may be the most significant investment made with the least amount of research: funeral services. No one wants to think about losing a loved one and the funeral services required until suddenly, the need arises and you’re at a loss of even knowing where to start. Experiencing that first-hand when she lost a sister, Cathy Boomer has written Before You Go: Why Planning Your Funeral Makes Sense, Mission Point Press, (April 24, 2025), that allows you to leave a crystal-clear path for your family and friends to follow upon your death.
“So many books of this nature address documents and state of affairs such as wills, trusts, and bank accounts. Who is the lawyer? Where is the safe deposit box?” Boomer shared. “While those are important matters, Before You Go is focused only on funeral planning and capturing your personal wishes for your funeral. Your decisions will guide your loved ones as they plan during their grief.” From various funeral options—traditional, cremation, even green services—to the songs, flowers, music, locations, and more, Boomer provides thoughtful consideration and prompts that encourage and assist in advance planning.
Boomer shares that her sister’s passing and her role in planning arrangements led to a major career transition. She left her award-winning computer sales career, conducted extensive research, and underwent training to open Signature Funerals in Kansas City, Missouri. “I visited a boutique funeral home in Sydney, Australia and realized there was nothing like it in Kansas City. With corporate funeral homes acquiring local funeral homes, the options for funeral care were becoming limited, I wanted to provide more choices,” Boomer said. Signature Funerals is women-owned, first generation, reflecting the trend of more women attending mortuary science school.
How to Begin Planning Your Funeral
Serving the Kansas City community for fifteen years, Boomer is “completely honored to help every family that engages with us” and shares her top recommendations in beginning the funeral planning journey.
The most important step to take is to educate yourself on the process and determining the funeral home you wish to use. “Do it now, waiting until the need arises may find you have limited time and personal strength to do so.”
Communication is key—it’s critical to share your choices with your family members. “I’ve seen the anguish when a family isn’t sure if they should choose cremation or a traditional burial. Being crystal clear with family is so important for providing them peace, leaving them details for everything from flowers and scripture to service location or even no service at all.”
Finally, “tell your children, spouse, best friend, that you’ve made funeral plan decisions and that you’ve detailed them in the book. And of course, tell them where the book is located, better yet, make sure it’s not hidden away.”
Upcomimg Events
Thursday, May 29: Book signing and funeral planning event, Story & Song Neighborhood Bookstore Bistro/Center for Arts & Culture, 1430 Park Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL
The Author
A Kansas City native and University of Kansas alumna, Cathy Boomer and her team at Signature Funerals have provided cremation and traditional funeral services to the Kansas City area for fifteen years. She has been married for over forty years and she and her husband are the proud parents of four children, including an Air Force officer, two daughters-in-law, and three granddaughters. A tireless volunteer in her community, Cathy enjoys memberships in her church and several professional and philanthropic organizations.
The Book
Before You Go: Why Planning Your Funeral Makes Sense
Cathy Boomer
138 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, Color
Death, Grief, Bereavement, Aging
ISBN: 978-1-965278-47-5, $32.95 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-965278-46-8, $24.95 (Softcover)
Mission Point Press, April 24, 2025
Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its April 24 publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at cboomer@signaturefunerals.com.