Screenwriter Laurice Elehwany said the film was inspired by a childhood friend that lived in a funeral home.
Jamie Lee Curtis instituted a swear can on set to prevent "trucker talk," as Dan Aykroyd called it. Aykroyd said in an interview: "It was $5 for this word and $10 for another word and by end of the movie the kids had about five grand in there." On the day filming wrapped, Jamie Lee Curtis approached the children, told them "f*ck you," and handed over the jars.
The willow tree seen throughout the movie is not a real willow tree. Finding a perfect pond with a willow tree was so hard that the creators found a different tree, removed all of its branches, and replaced them with fake willow tree branches.
The house used as Vada's house was actually a bed-and-breakfast in Bartow, Florida. It closed in 2013.
Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin took 15 takes in their kissing scene.