In this day and age, the new millennia has afforded us many advantages such as longevity, improved quality-of-life, and many of life’s joys and pleasures we otherwise could not enjoy decades ago. Advances in medicine has all but eliminated many diseases that would have meant certain death 30 years ago. Technology has made the world smaller. An internet connection and one of many technological devices such as a smart phone, a tablet, or a laptop make it possible to communicate with others to choose the merchandise and type of service they want before they die. The two contracts are 1) Standard, and 2) Inflation-proof. As evidenced by their names the standard contract does not offer inflation protection, therefore the price of the funeral/cremation could rise from the time of planning to the time of death throughout the world.
However, despite all of our great advances and inventions, one thing in life is certain………….we are all going to die one day. In the words of one of my wisest clients, “Aint none of us getting out of here alive”. Knowing that death is a certainty, is it not wise to prepare for that certainty? We plan for weddings, vacations, retirement, births, etc. not knowing if these events will ever happen. So why not plan for the time we all know is coming?
I have learned a great deal about end-of-life-planning while working as a final-expense life insurance agent. One thing I know for certain and two things for sure, 1) Too many of us are not prepared for a time we know is coming. 2) There are solutions that are simple and affordable. My grandmother always told me there’s more than one way to skin a cat. As a final expense life insurance agent, I understand individuals to pay for their final expenses.
Funeral homes offer options to pre-plan and/or pay for a funeral. I recently met and had a conversation with a local funeral director and mortician, Brian Clyburn. Brian has been in the funeral business for over 18 years. He’s a NC Central graduate and holds a license in mortuary science. He was gracious enough to share some of his expertise and knowledge with me. North Carolina funeral homes are regulated by the state and I would go out on a limb and say that is the case for every state. However, the laws vary from state to state. To do business in a state, a Funeral homes must be licensed. Funeral homes are inspected by a state inspector on a regular basis. The inspection can be random, without notice or scheduled. An inspector usually stops by unexpectedly because of a complaint or report.
The P's Of Funeral Planning
By
Kim Marshall