Let the funeral home handle my father's life insurance?

[Phoenix86]

The first thing the funeral home does in put the body in the casket, then it can't be refused because the funeral lobby owns the legislature. Nasty trade, good when its gone.

This makes zero fucking sense.

Try again.

 

[Jimzz]

This makes zero fucking sense.

Try again.

Once a body has been in a casket it can't be reused/sold. At least that is the rule in most states?

 

[SunnyD]

No. No no no no no. It's a scam.

I remember seeing one of those exposé shows about it a while back. Don't fucking do it.

 

[OutHouse]

I would not give anyone access or permissions to handle anything relating to insurance payouts. I'd be very wary of their motives.

this!!!!!

Do not let your mom do this.

you can do it for your mom. all you ahve to do is call the insurance company and make a death claim. they will ask you some questions and give you a address to mail the death certificate. Ive had to do this for my mom when my dad passed and for myself when my mom passed.

there is nothing to it and zero chance of getting ripped off.

also 15K for funeral services is really high. my wedding didnt cost anywhere near that.

 

[JEDI]

I'd agree with most people here. Take the insurance money and then pay the funeral home.

EDIT: Why is it too late Jedi?

mom doesn't want to change it now.
too much trouble she said.

uugg.. $1200 price difference for a few min worth of work
but I understand

 

[Brainonska511]

This seems appropriate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKjBFsyYC0g

In the last few funerals my family has had to arrange for other family members, we just put the money up ourselves and sought reimbursement from life insurance policies (or the estate) later. I don't think I'd feel comfortable giving the funeral home control over where life insurance money goes first.

 

[Markbnj]

[/b]

found out (too late) that Costco sells caskets for $800 shipped.
mom is buying a $2k casket (cheapest they have).

what charges did you get dropped besides the casket cost?

Well it wasn't me so I don't know all the details, but he looked over everything very critically. I know they charge for every damn thing, and they mark it all up by huge margins.

 

[highland145]

Well it wasn't me so I don't know all the details, but he looked over everything very critically. I know they charge for every damn thing, and they mark it all up by huge margins.

True. Dad was $11K last year. Granted $1K was obit postings for 3 papers...Mom's idea. The grave plot was already paid for.

OP, they recommended we get 5 death certs. Get 10, everyone seems to need a copy and it's easier to get them up front.

 

[Vdubchaos]

No. No no no no no. It's a scam.

I remember seeing one of those exposé shows about it a while back. Don't fucking do it.

You think?

I bet it's perfectly legal too!!!

Besides, what is there to "handle" anyways. You call your life insurance company and collect the check after some paperwork/few calls.

 

[sourceninja]

I need to figure out how to donate my body to science and document it in easy to follow instructions for when I'm dead.

 

[FleshLight]

$15k does sound like a lot unless you are having a fancy casket and/or fancy service

 

[JEDI]

$15k does sound like a lot unless you are having a fancy casket and/or fancy service

wake one day, then funeral the next.
plot was paid for years ago

*shrug*

mom's taking care of it. she picked the funeral home closest to the house
*SIGH!*

 

[bruceb]

Sorry for your loss. But you should handle the insurance yourself. The insurance company will probably want to see a copy of the death certificate before payout. Other than that, it should be an easy job.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'm sorry to hear of your father's death.

Re: insurance - I suppose you can look closely at the undertaker's paperwork. What's buried under the legalese? How long will they take to transfer the money to your mother? If it were me, I'd decline and do it myself.

On a related note, don't feel bad about "shopping around" for the funeral. I had to help someone very close handle the death of a parent, and in retrospect, I think the funeral home took advantage of the bereaved. (Sorry if this has already been discussed.)

That's their entire business model actually.

 

[highland145]

That's their entire business model actually.

Surely the dearly departed would love this 14k gold plated tin can....

 

[JulesMaximus]

Surely the dearly departed would love this 14k gold plated tin can....

Just cremate me and put my ashes in a Folgers coffee can.

 

[Markbnj]

That's their entire business model actually.

Yep, I've already told my family: find the cheapest place that will burn me, and then take everyone out to dinner to mourn or celebrate as the occasion warrants.

 

[highland145]

Just cremate me and put my ashes in a Folgers coffee can.

Watching the Longmire series. He's got his wife in the tea box above the stove. The love interest was going to make some tea until he stopped her.


And cremation prices have skyrocketed too or so I hear.

 

[Markbnj]

And cremation prices have skyrocketed too or so I hear.

Next up: backyard cremation making a comeback. Y'all come 'round for the bonfire.

 

[acheron]

Next up: backyard cremation making a comeback. Y'all come 'round for the bonfire.

I've got an old canoe, we can do a Viking funeral.

 

[highland145]

Next up: backyard cremation making a comeback. Y'all come 'round for the bonfire.

SC doesn't have state laws prohibiting burials on private property. My bro has 35ac by a nice creek and that's where he wants to go. No coffin, just put him in the hole.

 

[Markbnj]

I've got an old canoe, we can do a Viking funeral.

That would be so awesome. That's what I want now. Put me in a wooden canoe with a bunch of fuel, light it up, and set me floating down the Raritan river to the sea.

 

[alkemyst]

I don't see what the catch is...if you are going to some fly-by-night then perhaps be leery. The catch is it gives comfort to the funeral home to know they are getting paid when they are extending you credit.

If you can stroke the $15k check up front then there isn't much reason to do this. All it takes is a phone call and they will send out the payment usually immediately with the only verification being an original or notarized death certificate.

The flipside is the funeral home buries someone and the inheritor blows the whole bankroll prior to paying them.

 

[Wreckem]

It is not a scam. And there is no catch. They offer to handle the insurance so the family doesn't have to fork over the funeral expenses before the insurance check clears which can be after the funeral has occured.

Its either have them handle it or pony up the funeral expenses on or before service. And YES they will ask for payment during the service if funds have not been paid and they aren't handling the insurance claim. Unless the estate of the person who died has money(in most states the funeral home is usually the creditor with 1st priority in probate) they will want their money by day of service or the right to process the insurance claim.

If someone can cut a check for the funeral expenses without a life insurance policy payout, they should do it. If they cannot, there is no reason not to allow them to process it just make sure to read the paperwork before signing anything. The funeral home just wants to get paid. There are a lot who try to skip out on paying which can make things awkward at the service.

And $15k isn't a red flag as some might believe. Any upgrade over a basic casket+burial service can quickly hit $15k.

Also, FYI, if you aren't planning on paying for a funeral out of your own pocket DO NOT BE THE ONE who makes the arrangements.