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Preparing For The Inevitable! Ben's Tips On Getting Your Affairs In Order...And A Slew Of Free Forms To Help You Get In Done!
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You Really Don't Have To Be A Boy Scout Just To
Be Prepared!!!
You're probably on this page because you read my column, originally published in The Dallas Morning News on July 25, 2002. Or maybe you heard me talking about this on the radio or on one of my TV segments. Doesn't matter...if you haven't read the column yet, spend a few minutes reviewing it, now. It was truly the most difficult [and emotional] column I've ever written.
But it's also the most empowering.
Because when you face this inevitable chapter in your life, you're taking a huge step towards controlling your life and making your eventual passing a whole lot easier on your family or friends.
So...enough with the lecturing. Let's give you some resources to assist you in your quest to get your "house in order" and avoid lining the pockets of those individuals or businesses that surface at the most difficult time of your life. Namely, the funeral and cemetery salesmen and the attorneys.
Right outta the chute: I want to clarify something I mentioned in the column; the part about making your feelings known on how you'd like your body handled after your passing. You know the mess that followed baseball legend Ted Williams' death. The son said dear old Dad wanted to be put on ice [frozen for future uses which is another story altogether]; the daughter said no way and the press had a field day with the story.
I want to share some advice from one of my experts on the subject of funerals, Pierson Ralph, Executive Director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of North Texas has some excellent advice on where to put body disposition instructions:
"A Will is not the best place to have instructions for how you'd like your body handled after your passing. The reason? The Will in almost all circumstances will probably not be looked at until after the funeral and body disposition has taken place.
In fact this happened to a friend of mine. After the funeral, he discovered in his father's Will that Dad wanted something quite different from what they had selected.
Funeral instructions should be in a separate document and stored in a place that's easy to find. The "Before I Go, You Should Know" packet offered by the Funeral Consumers Alliance for $10 comes complete with a plastic pouch for storing in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator, and is an excellent solution."
Thanks for the great advice, Pierson! And I agree...so let's get everyone the tools they'll need to Be Prepared:
Get all of your legal documents signed/sealed and delivered before you need 'em. Don't wait until it's too late...and here comes the disclaimer:
I'm not an attorney and I'm not gonna give you legal advice. But I've covered this story for a long time and know the usual land-mines that seem to get in the way at the worst possible times for consumers. Like anything "legal" you need to do your homework, don't go cheap and spend a few bucks with a qualified attorney to have all documents reviewed to make sure they're properly drawn and enforceable. Otherwise, you could be creating a whole new set of problems for you or your family.
And one more thing. The documents referenced below are approved for use in Texas. California and other states may be able to utilize these or have them adapted, but you need to be clear on this important point. Enough said...here you go:
Let me urge you to consider joining one of the best [and truly non-profit] organizations designed to educate and empower consumers so they don't get financially slammed at the worst possible time. Give the Funeral Consumers Alliance of North Texas a call: (972) 509-5686
Here's more information and why it'll be the best $35 you can ever spend: Why you should consider becoming a lifetime member of Funeral Consumers Alliance of North Texas
Here's your membership application if you wanna join the Funeral Consumers Alliance of North Texas
The High Cost of Funerals and what you can do to avoid wasting your money
Durable Power of Attorney lets someone you trust intervene if you're unable to speak for or represent yourself
Directive to Physicians...also known as a Medical Power of Attorney puts your life decisions into the hands of someone you trust in the event you can't communicate or represent yourself clearly
Here's a checklist of what you need to do to prepare when the end is near
Should you prepay for your funeral arrangements?
Here's an alternative to prepaying for a funeral: Totten Trust
You'll shop prices for cars; why not be as smart when it comes to funeral homes?
And why should you pay retail prices for caskets, headstones, urns or other burial products? You shouldn't.
Ben's Tips On Preparing For Dealing With The Funeral Industry
Read Past Articles About The Funeral-Cemetery Industries By Ben
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