10 things to know about funeral planning By Jennifer Muldowney
1. Do a preplan. Tis puts in writing exactly what you would like and how you would like it, leaving loved ones burden free in deciding what song, flowers, poems they should choose to represent you. Saves money overall and puts the power in your hands.
2. Plan ahead of a Funeral home vis- it. Know what you would like ahead of time because more than likely the undertaker can and will oblige. Not knowing what you want could incur massive costs to you and your family.
3. Compare prices. Funeral prices can vary hugely, even in the same county so don’t be afraid to ring up and ask for prices ahead of time. Un- fortunately most funeral homes do not display their prices on their web- sites so a bit of research is required here.
4. Know whom you are dealing with. Like with most purchases you make, you choose to buy from a reputable company, you should do likewise with a funeral home.
5. Tink local and small. Small, in- dependent funeral homes can often provide you with a better quality and more personal service at a cheaper price so don’t forget the little guy.
6. Are they are member of IFTA? Does this matter? It has an estab- lished Code of Practice which must be followed by all of it’s members.
28
7. Extra extra. Read all about the extra’s that you may incur if you are not careful. Only purchase what you need. Embalming, grave cover, and pallbearers are all extras that you may not need.
8. Inspect the products you are pur- chasing as much as is physically pos- sible.
9. Hire a funeral planner. An honest funeral planner will spend time with you and show you all the options available to you, both on cost and va- riety. But bear in mind that you are paying for their expertise and profes- sionalism. If at any point this comes into question, you have the right to decline their services.
10. Disbursements. Funeral Dis- bursements are fees that are paid on behalf of a client by a Funeral Direc- tor to third parties i.e crematorium, newspaper, clergy etc.
Born in Dublin in 1982, Jennifer Muldowney went to college in DCU where she graduated with a Bach- elor of Business Studies Degree in 2004. She furthered her education in 2010 with a Wedding Planning Cer- tificate and a PRII accredited Pub- lic Relations postgraduate diploma and Event Management postgradu- ate diploma. Jennifer has worked in events with many prestigious brands throughout her career including Jameson, Absolut, AWAS, Clinique,
Tourism Ireland, Benefit Cosmetics and Siemens. She has an avid interest in all things creative. Charity has and always will be close to her heart and she also ran the Miami Marathon in 2007, raised great awareness and 12,000 dollars for an AIDS program in LA with the help of the National Aids Marathon Training program.
Different to most, if not all, funeral industry workers in Ireland, Jenni- fer came to Funerals from an events background. Going from Wedding Planner to Funeral Planner might seem like a stretch but logistically and creatively they are more than just alike. Ireland is years behind the States in terms of Industry develop- ment but it is gradually changing and Jennifer plans to be the driver behind that change with Farewell Funeral Planners.
Jennifer is an Advisor with Funerals Today. Please visit her website at http://farewellfuneralplanners.
blogspot.ie/
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32