Guest article by Final Expense Rate

If you were to pass away, and you have not prepaid your funeral expenses, or you have not purchased funeral insurance, costly funeral expenses can be a very stressful situation for your family. Average funeral services cost between $5,000 and $15,000! In fact, for many families, this is too expensive, and that is when funeral planning can become a financial and emotional nightmare. Although it is not something that people like to think about (either in relation to their own life or in others), there are times when you simply do not know what to do if you cannot pay for a funeral.

While this situation is not ideal, it does not mean that you do not have options. There are government and church organizations to provide support, and you may be able to find a financing option that suits your lifestyle. If you are preparing to plan a funeral and do not have the funds available to cover everything, here are some options and tips that tell you what to do if you cannot pay for a funeral:

                                         WHAT TO DO IF YOU CANNOT PAY A FUNERAL:

• Family and friends: It is not easy to ask for help from your loved ones or relatives you do not know, but you may be surprised at how willing people are to help. Death has a way of bringing out the best in people. Asking for donations instead of flowers of sympathy is also a possibility.

• Religious organizations: Most churches do not have the money to cover the funeral expenses of all members, but they have links to the community that can make a big difference. Charges can be made to help pay for a funeral, or church officials can direct you to services and non-profit organizations that exist to help cover some of the more expensive costs. You may also find that they are willing or able to donate a place for burial or a place for the funeral.

• Government Assistance: If the deceased received benefits or assistance from the government during his life, there are usually funds available to help with the burial needs. You can contact Social Security or Medicaid directly for more information.

• County where you live: County services also exist for those in need. Try calling the county forensic office for more information about what happens to bodies that have not been delivered to a funeral home. They often have direct cremation or direct burial options for those who need them. (However, keep in mind that if the city or state covers the cost of the funeral, they have the legal right to liquidate the estate of the deceased in order to recover their money.) There are also counties that donate money for the costs of a funeral if the deceased was the victim of a violent act.

• Payment plans: Funeral homes are aware of the financial constraints that many people face, and most are willing to work with you to find a solution. There are payment plans to distribute funeral costs, and you may be able to finance a direct burial or direct cremation (this may depend on the credit rating). Obviously, financing options of this type are very few and the interests are quite elevated.

• Body Donation options: Although it is not something that many people feel comfortable with, donating a body to science is a way to get rid of the remains at no cost to you. This comes with the added benefit of knowing that you and the deceased are making an invaluable contribution to science and medicine.

• Crowdfunding (Community Donation): Today there are several resources on the internet that you can use to raise funds through social networks and web pages. You simply create a free account and share the information on facebook, twitter, and other social networks. The money raised is given to you once the campaign period has ended. One of the most popular companies for this purpose is Gofundme. Visit their page and learn more about these options. (Remember that these companies charge a percentage of the funds collected)

THE BEST SOLUTION: BUY FUNERAL INSURANCE AHEAD OF TIME.

Funeral insurance or final expense insurance can be a great solution for those who will deal with your funeral some day. Our Agency offers many options with top rated life insurance companies. Visit our website today and obtain prices and options.

Protect Yourself From Sharks

Guest Article By Christina Lynn, CDFACEP

www.lynnfinancialllc.com

We live in a litigious society.  Lawsuits fly around courtrooms across the United States.  Why? Because sharks smell blood. When you rear-end someone, the shark (the other driver) may smell blood (your German car).  Raising an an eyebrow, interest peaked, the shark dials the 1-800-number on the billboard sign in front of him that reads, “Injured in an auto accident? Call our bulldog personal injury attorneys. We fight for maximum compensation!”

$1,000,000 legal settlement later, your nest egg is wiped clean.  It’s not fun to restart your retirement plan from scratch.

For better and for worse, the United States protects the rights of an individual to sue another individual, or business, for wrongdoing.  Even if there is no foul play on your part, you can’t prevent a lawsuit from happening.

Convinced you can win the lawsuit?  Your wallet will still forfeit a hefty sum in attorney fees.
Continue reading “A Simple Tip To Protect Your Nest Egg In Retirement” →

As you age, your abilities change. Perhaps the stairs take you just a little bit longer or you find yourself tripping or stumbling into a corner more often than not. Fortunately, living options abound to meet your needs and expectations. Check out the pros and cons of the following living options and decide which one would work the best for you:

Aging in Place

The term “aging in place” is becoming very commonplace, and if you’ve never heard of it, you need to add it to your vocabulary. Aging in place refers to seniors who prefer to live in their current place of residence for as long as they are physically and mentally able, receiving help if necessary, but remaining relatively independent. This is a great option for seniors who prefer to enjoy the autonomy you are used to in the comfort of your own home without a major life change. However, this type of lifestyle requires home modifications, which can be a little pricey depending on how in-depth or advanced they are. The most common modifications are grab bars in the bathroom, shower seats, walk-in tubs/showers, wider doorways, ramps, and security systems. Some adjustments are inexpensive, but some will require building and installation, which can come with a price tag.

Continue reading “Home Sweet Home, But Where? 3 Common Senior Housing Options” →

As we get older, we slow down, our minds start to blur, and the gray creeps in. However, physical and mental health is important during all stages of life. After all, age is just a number right? Use this toolkit as a guide for brain and body-boosting activities for seniors of all abilities, as well as resources for further learning.

Stay in the Know

While you might disagree with what age you start to qualify as a senior, the fact is that seniors are a unique demographic. Due to this, seniors require their own personalized information for various life situations. You’re in luck, as some of the most informational ones can be found right here:

• AARP – advocates for your needs via information, initiatives, projects, and services
• NCOA – promotes the well-being and success of seniors via helpful resources
• Senior Journal – direct access to news and resources pertaining to seniors
• NIA – helpful and thorough information on various health issues often experienced by seniors
• HUD – information on housing options for seniors, including financial assistance

Activities for Mental and Physical Health

Continuing with the “age is just a number” theme, there are several activities for seniors that can jumpstart both your mental and physical health, regardless of age and mobility. The following are just a few to get you started:
Continue reading “Fun and Safe Activities for Seniors” →

Guest article from Caregiverlist.com

Many times the search for the right Senior Home Care Agency must be performed quickly because of an emergency medical condition. Other times people are able to plan ahead and research the various provider companies. Regardless of your timeline, this is a decision which impacts everyone involved emotionally, as well as financially. You want to know the home care agency, as a business, is following all the necessary legal requirements so they are liable for the caregiver as their employee and you are not. Senior Home Care Agencies must hire the Caregiver as their employee and pay for all payroll taxes and Worker’s Compensation Insurance in order to protect you if any injuries occur while the Caregiver is providing care. If the Caregiver were working directly for you as an independent contractor, they would be able to sue you if they had a physical injury on the job or felt there were other abuses. All of our agencies employ their Caregivers to protect you from this liability.
Continue reading “How to Choose a Senior Home Care Agency” →

I have written two books on the subject of older adults transitioning from their long-time home to a senior community or apartment. My experience came solely from my clients over the years. I observed patterns of behavior as well as obstacles to be overcome. I designed my business team to serve the families that I was honored to assist through their transition.

Enter my mother. A few months ago, my mother who is 91 had a minor stroke but fortunately retained all of her physical health except for balance issues. This was a warning sign which changed mom’s outlook for the future. She lived alone in a condominium. My father had passed 10 years ago. They were married for 61 years and living alone was tough at first but as we all must do she changed her outlook and became independent. The plan was to spend the rest of her life in the home she shared with my father. You can make your plans in life but you can’t plan the results!

After this health incident, her confidence was shaken and living alone became a challenge. Her major worry was that a fall could end her independence. She decided to move to my sister’s home and then decide what to do. After a few months living with 3 dogs, grandchildren and limited living space, she decided it was time to look at an alternative. She didn’t want to be a burden to my sister (my sister would have loved her to stay).
Continue reading “A Gift from My Mother” →