1. HOW TO AVOID A FUNERAL CRISIS BEFORE IT HAPPENS
A Consumer Awareness Workshop

2. Can a funeral cause a crisis in a family?
We are here to talk about ways to keep it from happening!
I am not any kind of expert on funerals or funeral planning. Everest is…

3. I have provided index cards for your questions.
At the end of this session write your questions on those cards with your name and how you would like me to contact you and I will get the answers to your questions.

4. NO ONE IS IMMUNE! Let’s Face It… Death can come at any time for anyone
When the Death of a Loved One Occurs…

5. Our world is turned upside down
Our logical thinking is destroyed
Decisions have to be made quickly concerning funeral arrangements
Usually within a 24 hour period of time

6. Who Will Make These Decisions…
Burial or Cremation
Selection of a Resting Place
Type of Funeral Service, if any
Visitation, if any
Type of Casket or Urn
Embalming
Open or Closed Casket
Religious or Secular
Participants
Selection of Funeral Home
How much to spend
Obituary

7. The Worst Possible Timing…
Obviously the worst time to make those decisions is at a time of emotional distress

8. This Situation is Avoidable!
However…
This Situation is Avoidable!
HOW?

9. complicated, and expensive life event
HAVE A PLAN
This workshop is about an easy, unique, and simple solution to what can be a difficult,
complicated, and expensive life event

10. Why Plan Ahead?
What are the top 2 reasons consumers prearrange their funeral each year?
“Makes it easier on my family”
“Ensures that my wishes are carried out”
Source: Artisan Research & Communication Inc., Survey March 2012

11. Funeral Arrangements
A funeral is one of the most expensive life events.
What about college? Not everyone goes.
What about a wedding? Not everyone gets married.
But all of us in this room will have some type of funeral
You are making significant financial decisions at a time when you are:
under considerable time pressures
emotionally distraught and vulnerable

12. Funeral Arrangements
Over 100,000 Canadians pre-arrange their funerals each year
88% believe that it’s better to pre-arrange their own funeral* How many of you would agree with that?
Yet only 10% of us have made any such arrangements.* Could that be some of you?
Most people know they should but they don’t
Source: Artisan Research & Communication Inc., Survey March 2012

13. TUIT What’s that? Funeral Arrangements
Most people know they should but they don’t…. Because they never get a….
What’s that?
TUIT

14. Not being able to afford it!
Funeral Arrangements
What is the #1 concern of consumers
when making funeral arrangements?
Not being able to afford it!
Source: Artisan Research & Communication Inc., Survey March 2012

15. Consumer Dissatisfaction
Consumers feel strongly about traditional
funeral homes:
59% - “Funeral Homes do not offer good value for the money”
57% - “Funeral homes cannot be trusted during their time of need”
Source: Gelb Consulting and Greenfield Online Survey

16. You can avoid high pressure sales tactics with knowledge!
Things to Think About
You can avoid high pressure sales tactics with knowledge!
Please understand I am not saying that funeral homes are not trustworthy. They are running a business so their goal is to remain profitable and sometimes in the quest for that goal some people may feel taken advantage of.

17. How Much Does A Funeral Cost?
Funeral / Memorial service
Casket / container
Embalming (if requested)
Visitation
Grave space
Burial vault
Tombstone or marker
Inscription on tombstone or marker
Cremation Fee
Urn
Obituary notices
Flowers
Charitable Donations
Memorial books
Prayer cards
Thank you cards
Internet memorial
Travel (out of town guests)
Legal expenses
Limousines
A Gathering, Reception, or Wake?

18. Therefore…
What do I actually need?
What are the costs?

19. How much does a typical funeral cost?
Question
How much does a typical funeral cost?
Burial __________
Cremation __________

20. How to Save Money Consider a direct cremation and memorial service
Embalming is optional in most instances
Avoid purchasing an urn if you don’t need one a simple container is included in the cremation fee
Shop around, prices vary greatly for the same services

21. How to Save Money
Bring along a friend who does not have emotional ties
Don’t spend money to impress
Know the right questions to ask!!!!!!!! Ask for the funeral home’s price list. It says to the funeral director that you are an informed consumer.

22. Where to go from here???
Decisions need to be made
You have 3 options

23. Funeral Planning Options
Go to a funeral home and “prepay” your funeral
Purchase “Final Expense” life insurance
Do Nothing

24. Prepaying with a Funeral Home
Locked into that funeral home
Money you pay is actually buying an insurance policy or is put into a trust account
Difficult to price shop unless you visit funeral home after funeral home

25. Purchase “Final Expense” Life Insurance
Bare-bones life insurance policy
No support or guidance for your family
Does not pay in time for funeral expenses
Have to wait for death certificate
Funeral home wants to get paid now

26. Do Nothing Most popular and easiest choice
Leaves your family to cope with arranging and paying for your funeral under the worst of circumstances
No time or information to make informed decisions
Funeral, burial or cremation expenses due immediately

27. No one in the funeral industry is on the side of the consumer, until…
Consumer’s Concerns
One of the most expensive purchases of a lifetime
Complex decisions made under the worst of circumstances
Emotional duress
Time pressure
No one in the funeral industry is on
the side of the consumer, until…

28. Insurance Agency of Canada Inc.
Introducing
The Everest Package
Whole Life Insurance
from Western Life
PLUS
Everest Services
Available through
World Financial Group
Insurance Agency of Canada Inc.

29. Who Will Make These Decisions
Burial or Cremation
Selection of a Resting Place
Type of Funeral Service, if any
Visitation, if any
Type of Casket or Urn
Embalming?
Open or Closed Casket
Religious or Secular
Participants
Selection of Funeral Home
How much to spend
Obituary
Your family, with the help and guidance of your Everest Consumer Advocate
One call does it all !!!

30. Consumer Advocacy Services Independent, unbiased, expert funeral planning advice
They work for YOU and Your Family - not for the funeral home
Can be used at any funeral home anywhere
They coordinate claims payment on insurance
Beneficiaries receive payment in as little as 48 hours
Monies can be used for anything

31. Consumer Advocacy Services Independent, expert funeral planning advice
Customer gains control
24 x 7 Everest Advisor
Assistance with all funeral related issues
Planning Conference with a Licensed Funeral Director
Planning Guides and checklists
Information stored and maintained in a secure data warehouse

32. Consumer Advocacy Services Independent, expert funeral planning advice
PriceFinder℠ Database
Only nationwide database that includes actual pricing from over 24,000 funeral homes across Canada and the United States
Produces a 7-page report on demand at everestfuneral.ca
Search and compare local funeral homes by using your postal code and a kilometre radius

33. What Everest is not: Everest is NOT a funeral home
Everest does NOT have a network of funeral homes it deals with
Everest does NOT sell funeral goods or services
Everest does NOT sell funeral pre-arrangements
Everest does NOT receive commissions or profit in anyway from a client’s decision

34. “Everest was a phenomenal experience.” - June R.
“I might very well have picked a funeral home that charged thousands more than what I paid and certainly would not have known or had the energy to shop for the best value on my own.” Joan H.
“Everest was a phenomenal experience.” June R.
“Our advisor saved us a good sum of money after her discussions with the funeral home and cemetery.” Carol J.
Everest Client– June R.

35. THANK YOU