First, sorry for your loss.
My wife and I both did pre need policies in NE TX. The funeral director actually gave us his map (probably the only one that existed-it was old and faded) and said-"Go pick out a couple of plots you like and come back here." No pressure-and we had a clearly defined idea of the price. It was sort of a hoot wandering the cemetery, with the wife going "Oh, I know that family-we don't want to be around them" or "I went to school with their daughter-they're good folks" before finally setting on a couple of places near her friends family plots. Her parents are in an adjacent, but full section-no room at the inn. We even got deeds from the county for our plots-I guess I own land several places now.
Went back to the funeral home and wandered around the casket room (I was tempted to try one on but wife voted it down) and picked out two serviceable but economical boxes. Cemetery doesn't require vaults but wife insisted, so we picked out a couple of blow-molded plastic vaults that look like inverted septic tanks
(like who cares?) She even got the casket with the rubber storm proof gasket, but I passed, thinkng what the heck, I'm in an alleged watertight vault anyway? If I turn stinky they can bag me before the funeral-I want a closed lid anyway.
Worked out a mutually agreeable price for all the services we needed and it got financed with no interest for 3 years-about a third or less of the cost of buying a new car. Never any pressure and we did it with cool heads and no emotion. The pre-need policy even provides for free burial of any of our grandchildren if they die before we do and they under 18. Sort of bonus coverage thrown in, I guess.
We left with a little folder in which we could express any final wishes like where we wanted the service, music to be played, what you wanted to wear, etc.
You younger folks-this is the only way to go. Just make sure you pick out where you want to be buried (although you can usually sell the plots back if you change your mind and transfer the policy to another provider. Do it now and you are paid up and covered for the rest of your (hopefully long) life. If you are economy minded, you veterans can go to the VA cemeteries for free-still have to pay the funeral director to get you there, and they can "stack" you with your spouse. Whoever lives the longest gets to be on top!
Regarding the movement of bodies-I went straight to the horses mouth at the Texas Funeral Commission. Anyone can get a body movement permit from a local funeral home and do their own transporting. You can get a transport box (cardboard or styrofoam) and slide your embalmed loved (but frugal) one in the back of the van and away you go to the in-state funeral home of your choice where you can make your own arrangements.