how to avoid a funeral crisis before it happens a consumer awareness workshop
TRANSCRIPT
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.
Let’s Face It…
Death can come at any time for anyone
NO ONE IS IMMUNE!
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
However…
This Situation is Avoidable!
HOW?
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
Funeral Arrangements
Most people know they should but they don’t…. Because they never get a….
TUITWhat’s that?
Funeral Arrangements
What is the #1 concern of consumers
when making funeral arrangements?
Source: Artisan Research & Communication Inc., Survey March 2012
Not being able to afford it!
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
Things to Think About
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.
You can avoid high pressure sales tactics with knowledge!
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?
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
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…
Introducing
The Everest Package
Whole Life Insurance
from Western Life
PLUS
Everest Services
Available through
World Financial Group
Insurance Agency of Canada Inc.
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
One call does it all !!!
Your family, with the help and guidance of your Everest Consumer
Advocate
Consumer Advocacy ServicesIndependent, 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 ServicesIndependent, 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 ServicesIndependent, 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
“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