When deciding on prepaying a funeral service, all the brochures and paperwork presented by a Funeral Salesperson could be overwhelming. It is important to do “the shopping” with somebody you trust.
Prepaying the funeral service is an expensive investment. Funerallink was made to make this decision a little easier. Selection of the right service that fits your need (and personality) is at your fingertips.
Know more about the documents that you need to prepare to help your family when the time comes here.
When you start that phone conversation or a personal meeting with a salesperson, here are some tips on what to ask or talk about:
- Basic Cost – Start from there. What would be the cheapest package? Ask for brochures and printed list for review later (or discussion with family, if you want to include them with decision making.) Ask for price list of urns, if cremation is a choice. Then, ask about the possible overhead or expenses. Be honest with your budget.
- Payment options – Although prices are shown online through their websites, only the funeral salespersons have the answer for this. How much if I pay full? How much monthly for five years? Do they work with your insurance? What happens if the service is to be used halfway through the payment plan? Is the plan transferrable?
- Customization – The Philippines is a diverse country of beliefs, religion, and lifestyle. How do you cater to military service or if they are familiar with a Muslim funeral? Ask about the different kinds of coffins for viewing (casket lids, cloth and lining materials)? Even the colors of the casket, if they offer that customization.
- Vendors – Majority of the funeral homes in the Philippines do not outsource their services. They have their own staff who will process the paperwork like death certificates and, the embalming, driver, and hearse. But it is important to make this clear in the meeting if the services included in the package is their own staff or outsourced.
- Timeline – A great Funeral Salesperson should be able to show an outline as to who is in charge on every service from the hospital to the cemetery, and the estimated time it takes from removing the body from the hospital to the wake then to burial. Be familiar on who to get a hold of while waiting for the deceased body from the hospital or morgue, or if a family member is allowed to be there. Take down notes, and write down numbers the telephone numbers.
- Customer Service – When is the best time to get a hold of you? Can I call you anytime? I hope their answer is Yes! For those shopping in the outskirts of town, prepaying a funeral service is based on trust and very quick replies on queries.
Meeting a Funeral Salesperson is stressful. It is intense to talk about reality such as death. You can do this with a company, a good friend or a trusted family member. It is important not to make the decision right there and then.
Learn how to choose the right casket and coffins when preparing a funeral service in the Philippines here.
Ask a lot of questions. After all, the only stupid question is the one not asked.
Images: Freepik
Leave a Reply