HOW TO AVOID A FUNERAL CRISIS BEFORE IT HAPPENS A Consumer Awareness Workshop
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…
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.
NO ONE IS IMMUNE! Let’s Face It… Death can come at any time for anyone When the Death of a Loved One Occurs…
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
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
The Worst Possible Timing… Obviously the worst time to make those decisions is at a time of emotional distress
This Situation is Avoidable! However… This Situation is Avoidable! HOW?
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
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
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
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
TUIT What’s that? Funeral Arrangements Most people know they should but they don’t…. Because they never get a…. What’s that? TUIT
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
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
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.
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?
Therefore… What do I actually need? What are the costs?
How much does a typical funeral cost? Question How much does a typical funeral cost? Burial __________ Cremation __________
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
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.
Where to go from here??? Decisions need to be made You have 3 options
Funeral Planning Options Go to a funeral home and “prepay” your funeral Purchase “Final Expense” life insurance Do Nothing
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
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
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
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…
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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 !!!
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
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
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
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
“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.
THANK YOU