FUNERAL HOME
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
FUNERAL HOME
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Aren ’ t My Funeral Arrangements All Finished ? Not Quite
Many people believe all of their funeral plans are complete when they purchase funeral expense insurance . Companies such as AARP / New York Life , State Farm , Ethos , and Mutual of Omaha sell those policies . Newly insured people believe that , “ if I have my final expense insurance paid , all my arrangements are ready to go .” Well … not really . Actually … not at all .
While funeral expense funds are available , funeral plans are not made . We received a call that someone had died at a local hospice . When I called the next-of-kin family member , they stated that all the pre-arrangements were completed through us . When I looked up our pre-arrangement files , the files did not have any information about him . There was no file at all . The family believed that all we had to finalize funeral dates and times . We needed to meet to actually begin arrangements ..
When the family arrived , they said that they had a Catholic Funeral Plan ( CFP ) in place . The Catholic Funeral Plan is another company that sells final planning insurance . When the family purchased the policy , the CFP representative had told the family , “ Now everything for the funeral is done .” Please know that the Catholic Funeral Plan does not give our funeral home any information about the person who died or anyone for that matter . The Catholic Funeral Plan simply sells a final expense funeral insurance policy to a family . Insurance companies and agents are not allowed by law to share a policyholder ’ s information . Only a policyholder can share information with us .
So much information is necessary for us to properly handle a funeral . Some of the information we need :
Name of the deceased Address Social Security Number Date of Birth Place of Birth Date of Death Place of Death Veteran Status Marital Status Spouse Name ( Including Wife ’ s Maiden Name ) Sex Race
Occupation Highest Level of Education Completed Last Employer / Industry Father ’ s Name Mother ’ s Name ( Including Maiden Name ) Informant ’ s Name , Address , Contact Phone number Obituary Information including Names of
Survivors , those who preceded in death , spouses , number of survivors Visitation Information Service Information Final Disposition Method including burial , cremation , mausoleum entombment , burial at sea Graveside or Chapel Committal Services Method of Payment
There are so many other things to choose and consider . Burial , entombment , or cremation ; public services or private ; religious services , secular services , or no services ; a luncheon after a funeral are all considerations for a family to honor their loved one .
Your takeaway is this : Have a frank conversation with family members about what you want and expect . Tell your family that you have some arrangements started . Relay to them anything you have finalized . Then talk to us . Your prearrangement is the written expression of what you want .
For example , if you want two full days of visitation , we can do it . Boy , will your family grumble ! If you want the party , we can do that . Do you want something fancy or simple ? Great ! Die-hard Pittsburgh fan ? You can do that too . If you think it , let ’ s make it happen . We are experts at finalizing the paperwork and the details .
Advanced planning with us alleviates so much stress . Pre-arranging becomes a business transaction without as much emotion . Discussions of funding are up-front . There are options .
This Industry Insight was written by Frank Perman , FD , Supervisor , CFSP , CPC , CCO , CFC . He is the owner of Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc ., 923 Saxonburg Boulevard at Rt . 8 in Shaler Township . Mr . Perman believes an educated consumer makes the most informed decisions . Inquiries may be made to him at 412.486.3600 or emailed to frank @ permanfuneralhome . com .
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Drop toys at Perman Funeral Home , 923 Saxonburg Boulevard Pittsburgh , PA 15223
SHALER AREA ❘ WINTER 2024 43