I am convinced that pre planning and funding your funeral tribute is
really an act of love for your family. Last week we talked about funeral
service, shared a few thoughts on how to select a funeral home and considered
ideas about pre planning funerals for your self or a relative. While preparing
to write this article I remembered an experience of a few years ago. An elderly gentleman visited our Point Fortin
office to plan and fund his funeral. We
walked him through the many options and he completed his selections. Together
we created a funeral tribute befitting his life. At the end of our discussions he expressed
that he felt a sense of a burden being lifted and he knew he did the right
thing. He paid the agreed sum in full
and returned to his home.
As part of pre planning we encouraged the gentleman to share the plan
with his family so that they will be aware that a funeral plan existed at
Belgroves. When this forward thinking
gentleman shared the details with a son he was scolded and forced to return for
a full refund. I remember word for word
our conversation of that day. He said,
“My son that lives with me quarreled saying that the funeral was his
responsibility and that I should get a full refund. I know my children, I will sit in your office
for a while and tell him that I have cancelled the plan and received a full
refund”. He added that he understood the
cash constraints of his children and did not want to be a burden to them when
he died. He sat in my office for a while
and left. Two years later we were
informed of his passing. I met with his
son and informed him that his dad had completed a preplanned funeral tribute
and that it was fully paid. He
responded, “O gosh, I am so glad, I don’t have the next cent right now.” Can this situation be true to you? Can this happen to you? Is pre planning not an act of love for your
family?
Pre planning offers many options for funding. There are insurance based products which
covers participants up to the age of eighty years with no health restrictions
and a range of financial benefits to suit your working years budget. At Belgroves our plans offer a six month
waiting period before a claim is accepted.
Where some one has joined the plan and death has occurred within six months
of the date of the plan the sum paid is refunded or transferred to the cost of
the funeral. No money is lost. Where the participant was enrolled for more than
six months the full sum selected to fund the funeral will be paid. In short the funeral bill is automatically
paid.
No applicant to our Pre need plans is denied enrollment. We cater for persons over the age of eighty
years with no health restrictions or no waiting period applied. Like the gentleman I wrote about above who
paid in full or like others who have selected an installment option from payment
choices are available. With so many
planning options available I encourage each reader to explore our products before
purchasing.
When planning a funeral is left to be done at the time of need the
experience of the surviving family members can be quite tensed and
difficult. Often they wonder what mummy
will have chosen for herself. These
small details and much bigger ones like money, house and land create major
discontent within the family. I have
already said it in my previous article and will say it here again. Select a funeral home that has a track record
of quality, has the facilities and equipment as well as trained and qualified staff
to efficiently support your needs during and after the funeral. You need to make a choice that will support
your family well being into the future.
When a death occurs many details need to be addressed, all within a
reasonably short time period. I suggest
you should contact your funeral home first for professional advice. Inform them of the circumstances of death and
you will be guided through the next steps. The object here is to seek to obtain
a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and to take the person to the funeral
home or hospital for safe keeping as the situation dictates. After a Medical Certificate
of Cause of Death has been issued it has to be registered at the Registrar of
Births and Deaths who issues the death certificate. It is always necessary to obtain from the
Registrar a minimum of six certificates.
Each look like an original and they are to be issued to the funeral home,
crematorium (if cremation selected) presented to the church and cemetery, for
obtaining funds for the funeral and estate matters. The new E-Death Certificate
should be purchased for estate matters. Prior
to visiting the funeral home conduct a family meeting to obtain the views of
others and determine a rough budget. Do
note that while the cost at the funeral home is usually the single largest part
of the funeral investment you are about to make there are other cost that when
summed together can be significant.
Carefully monitor the cost for the wake, repass, clothing for the
children and hidden cost like the light and telephone bills one month
later.
When visiting the funeral home you should have the death certificate
available and be prepared to sign an authorization form which authorizes the
company to act on your behalf. Usually
two to four visits are necessary. During
this planning phase of the funeral you will need to be equipped with
information to publish funeral notices. Special care must be taken to avoid
omitting important family members when planning the names for the funeral
notices that will be publicized on television, radio and print.
Select pictures and information
for printing the funeral programs, select flowers, the clothing, keepsake items
and cemetery to be used. Determine who
will deliver the eulogy and tributes. Selecting
a casket or coffin is probably the single largest part of the funeral home
bill. Keep in mind that all funeral
homes are required to itemize their billing so that all consumers will be award
of the details of their purchase. “Turnout”
prices should be detailed in an itemized invoice. Select a casket that
represents the station in life of the deceased and the family, one of
appropriate size and colour and will help you meet your budget. Discuss the special tributes to be presented
at the pre funeral viewing and on the day of the funeral. Your Funeral Director or representative will support
you through the service and assist at the cemetery or crematorium. Usually the cost of the funeral is due for
payment on the day before the funeral.
In our next article I plan to share information about Post Need funeral
details and what comprised the cost of a funeral. Remember, I invite your questions. Send them by email, ceo@ belgroves.com or FAX
to 660 2178. Blessings to all.
By Keith Belgrove
