Try If You Must But You Can Not Avoid This Topic Part 2

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

Remember to sign the petition!:http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/anti_canvassing_by_funeral_homes/

Website: http://www.belgroves.com/

Like us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BelgrovesFuneralHome?ref=tn_tnmn

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelgrovesGroup