His final wishes.
In all my life, I have never known anyone who was a more loving and considerate husband, father, or friend than Don. He adored his wife and children. If you were his friend, he would give you the shirt off his back. He’s the guy you call at 3 am and without question, he would come to your rescue. He was always kind to everyone he met – everyone. He was my best friend. When he died, it was a terrible loss for all of us who loved him. The thing that saved us all was he let us know his final wishes.
He was only 52 years young when he contracted ALS. Within six months, he was gone.
The day after his death his wife called me. She was sobbing and in a panic. She told me she didn’t know what she was going to do. She told me she was overwhelmed with his death and things she had never thought of. She had to plan the funeral, didn’t know who to invite, what to do with his body, the bills, the bank accounts, insurance policies, who to call, and what to do with his stuff. Unfortunately, I wasn’t much help, but I told her I would do whatever I could. It was hard to listen to her cry.
Two days later she called and told me she was doing so much better. There was a complete calmness about her. I asked her what happened and she told me she found Don’s Final Wishes Planning Guide. She said it was like a personal message to her to help her in the event of his passing. The book detailed everything he wanted to happen. It included information about bank accounts, life insurance, who he wanted to have his things, and even the songs he wanted to be played at his service.
At his funeral, listening to his favorite music was just like being with him one more time. It was a wonderful experience.
Like the rest of us, Don didn’t believe he would die so young. But unlike many of us, he knew he could die so he took the time and planned for it.
So it was after his death that he gave us his final gift, the gift of the time he took to fill out his Final Wishes Planning Guide. This is how he let his family know what to do.
He Always Took Care of the People He Loved
He knew if he didn’t plan his funeral, it would be a traumatic and emotional experience for his wife and children. He knew it would be difficult for his grieving spouse to take care of planning his funeral. He also knew that sometimes some funeral directors take advantage and oversell grieving family members on funeral services. I have all seen or heard of that being done — that’s why he arranged everything himself.
The other gift was the money from his life insurance. He knew that life insurance isn’t something you buy for yourself, it’s something you buy for the people you love. He had enough life insurance to pay for his funeral, his final medical expenses, and take care of those unforeseen expenses that were sure to come up. He also provided additional money so his family could take the time to grieve their loss.
He did his research to make sure there was enough money.
The Research
The following information will help you see how much the final expenses will cost to provide funeral services for yourself or a loved one. These are based on national averages and will vary from state to state.
The Average Cost of a Funeral
National Median Cost of an Adult Funeral with Viewing and Burial $7,360
National Median Cost of an Adult Funeral with Viewing and Cremation $6,260.
Vault $1,395 – Total with vault $8,755
The average cost of a single burial plot is $2,000 to $5,000*
Total with $3,000 Plot $10,360
*www.loveliveson.com
Other Expenses
Other expenses will include medical expenses, pay off debt, or other costs caused by your death. They may include transportation for relatives to attend funeral services, gifts for loved ones, donations to charity, or special wishes.
I Have Two Gifts for You
To assist you in planning for your final gift to your loved ones, I would like to offer you these two gifts. They will be very helpful because your loved ones will know what to do when the time comes.
Gift 1 – Final Wishes Planning Guide
In our life, the only thing we know for sure is that it will end someday.
That’s when the Final Wishes Planning Guide will speak for you. Preparing the book now is a thoughtful gesture your family and friends will appreciate forever. When the time comes, your loving efforts will ease your loved one’s pain.
The result will be a clear record of your final wishes, a source of important documents for legal and public records, and a permanent keepsake of your fondest memories to speak to future generations.
I would like to offer you this Planning Guide as my way of helping you plan for the day when you are taken from your loved ones and them from you. This can be your final gift for them.
Very few of us know when our time will come, so please don’t wait. It’s easy to get started.
Gift 2 – Final Need Planning & Funding Guide
Many people realize the importance of providing funds for their final resting place. Few actually plan and document their wishes. Having funds in place without a written plan may not be enough. Social Security will pay $255. Now is a good time to consider where the rest will come from.
Having a plan without enough funding will not complete the process. This funding guide can be a big help to fund your final expenses.
A Personal Touch
As a trained professional and I can guide you through the process of completing your guide. (Sorry, only available for US Residents.) I can also show you how to bring your family closer as you do.
I will never try to pressure you to buy anything. If you would like to discuss the option of life insurance, I can show you several ways to make sure your loved ones are not burdened with your passing.
I am happy to talk with you or your entire family.
If you have concerns about qualifying for coverage, rest assured that I will work hard to find the right plan for you with a top-rated company.
My promise is that your experience with me will be positive and pleasant.
Gain Peace of Mind
One more thing, when you have finished this planning, you will never have to worry about it again. You will know that when your day comes, your family will know what to do and have the resources to do it. This is called peace of mind.
Something to Think About.
I remember the warm summer evening when the insurance guy came to my house and talked to my father and mother about life insurance. My father only had a small group insurance policy from his job. The insurance person made two recommendations about policies designed to protect dad’s wife and four children. Dad told the insurance man that he wasn’t going to die any time soon, so he would have to think it over. The insurance man almost begged my father to take the plan and protect his family. I don’t know if my dad didn’t feel he could afford it so he told the insurance man he would get back to him later.
In the fall, my father had a massive heart attack and died on the way to the hospital. He was only 50 years old. I’m sure he didn’t think he would die at such a young age, and when he did, he left his family destitute. I was 12, my sister was 14, my two older brothers were 16 and 18. My mom was 42.
They took up a collection at work for his family, but it wasn’t enough to pay for the funeral.
Mom was totally devastated and could hardly function for the next year. My dad was the love of her life.
Within three months, the money ran out, and there we were — a family without a father or any other means of support. We would have been on the streets if it wasn’t for my older brothers who quit school, found menial jobs, and helped support the family. When my sister turned 16, she had to drop out of school so she could work and help support the family. Finally, when I turned 16, I found a job at a gas station. I was finally able to support myself.
So ask me why I believe in life insurance. This is why I am in the business.
Everyone dies. And very few of know exactly when we will be gone. So why not plan for the only sure thing in our lives?
If you really want to think it over, that’s a great idea. Wouldn’t you agree that it’s a better idea to know what you are thinking over? Give me a call and at the very least, get the free guides and leave what may be the last message your family will ever get from you.
By the way, simple funeral plans can be purchased for as little as $15 per month, depending on your age, health, occupation, and hobbies. Term life insurance coverage can be as little as $15 per month for $100,000.
Health problems? I have several highly rated companies that will insure almost any health condition.
I am here to answer your questions and help in any way I can. Just complete the form below and I’ll get back to you.
I also will send you a free copy of the Final Wishes Guide to help you plan for the big day.
Copyright 2021, www.USAFinancialCenter.com
Tom Monson is a financial consultant licensed in California and Oregon. California Insurance License 0K09311