Many people don’t like to talk about death, let alone plan for it. A lack of proper planning is what causes many families to make lifetime mistakes. Why do so many people avoid the topic? Quite simply, they don’t know their options when it comes to buying or planning burial insurance.
Many people don’t realize that having the funeral discussion can help save their family hundreds, if not thousands of dollars at time of need.
This next event is based on a true situation a family encountered in the Houston area.
Martha and Bob planned well for their retirement, first funding their children’s education, then paying off their mortgage. However, Bob hated talking about end-of-life planning. One day, while Bob was working in his backyard, he suffered a massive heart attack. Martha his wife had been out at the YMCA with friends. As Martha arrived to the house, she finds Bob on the ground in the yard. Martha was in shock immediately calling 911. Paramedics arrive at the scene and Bob was pronounced dead.
The officers and paramedics first shared their condolences with Martha, then immediately asked which funeral home to call. Martha was in shock and clueless on which funeral home to contact. Problem is Bob had always avoided talking about end-of-life planning. Little did Bob know this would place an additional financial burden on his grieving wife.
Meanwhile, Martha in disbelieve not knowing which funeral home to call, ends up calling the most expensive funeral home in Houston. Unfortunately, Bob now is gone and Martha is left with the stress of making a big financial decision.
After making all final arrangements the cost involved included the following:
- Funeral service with 18 gauge casket, viewing, church service, flowers, hearse, limo, embalming, stationery, dressing & casketing, and service vehicle: $18,000
- One plot (cemetery property): $11,000
- Vault: $2,995
- Opening and closing of the grave: $1,895
- Headstone: $4,000 Grand Total of $37,890.
In the meantime, Bob is in the next room, I’m sure turning in his grave. Why? Bob had left Martha with the burden of planning his own funeral. Bob had been the head of household, and had always made the financial decisions. Little did Bob know, Martha would now be making the final decision on his last and final home, his GRAVE! Big Big Mistake! Bob had now left his grieving wife in charge of making a financial decision at the worst time of her life.
Folks this situation has not only happened to Martha, but to several grieving families in the Houston surrounding area. It's important to plan ahead, this could possibly happen to you.
For those of you saying, “All I want is Cremation” guess what folks cremation is on the rise. Now, I’m not talking about cheap cremation parlors that offer cremation for $600 a pop; pushing paperwork behind a desk. By the way, careful with cheap cremation parlors, you never know what you’re getting back. Like the saying goes… You get what you pay for, Right?
If you don’t believe then google on the internet: Dr. Oz “Funeral Home Scams” Absolutely disgusting and SAD!
What many people don’t realize is that there are ways to cut back on funeral costs, if they only considered planning ahead. In fact, the state of Texas allows families to pre-fund their funerals before the need arises; giving many families the opportunity to lock-in at today’s cost.
Make it easy on yourself and your family. Call Stephanie Salcedo at Secure Your Legacy (832) 953-4229.
Stephanie Salcedo is an independent funeral & cemetery broker. Stephanie has helped thousands of families in her career. Stephanie does not work for the funeral homes, she works to help families plan the proper way without overspending. Had Bob and Martha known about Stephanie Salcedo, they could have saved over $15,000.
As Stephanie always says. "No matter how much money one has, it’s always important to shop the market and get the most cost-efficient funeral rate with first class service."
Take action now, you never know what tomorrow may bring, so why wait?
Look up: www.sylegacy.net
Attend a free funeral workshop to learn more about “Facts About Funerals” email Stephanie at info@sylegacy.net or call (832) 953-4229.
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