Your Funeral Guy: IFDA Preneed Trust Continues As Funeral Cost Issue

The IFDA Preneed Trust continues as A Funeral Cost issue. But the secrets of this Funeral Cost and Trust Scandal are hidden and take time to research.If a funeral director is kind enough to be honest about low funeral cost options be sure to say” Thank you.”Recently I thanked a Funeral Director for his honest Blog Post about Funeral Directors and Funeral cost:

“Thank you for your honesty.

we share a trust level well short of that of mechanics, stockbrokers, real estate and insurance agents. This information should be a wake up call.

Only a few in our profession are this honest and candid. On another blog on this site I have mentioned & commented on some scandals. They are the result of the sins of more than a few. Let it be known that inspite of some blogs and comments that are tough, I have withheld information from the media on these events. Instead I have called on Leaders in the Funeral Industry to be honest. Included in this call is ILLINOIS State Senator Randall Hultgren of Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton, IL.

Ethics are appreciated. I love helping families and for that reason I wrote a new book called “Rest in Peace.” In this work I declare that there are honest-ethical funeral directors like yourself who are willing to embrace the changes that are to come!”

It is my hope that the IFDA and funeral leaders in the State will embrace ethics and honesty. Right now I just find myself too busy helping folks lower the cost of their funerals(as well as the stress)…to keep up with the hairsplitting.The IFDA ( Illinois Funeral Directors Association) knows the changes that are coming.

There will be blogs here from time to time as things become public on the IFDA and IFDA Funeral Homes as well as Funeral Leaders in the State of Illinois.

The Funeral cost issue of the “IFDA Preneed Trust.” continues to be a troubling.

Your Funeral guy.

Two books can help here

Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial by Mark Harris

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak

Your Funeral Guy:Funeral Cost too High in the USA!(last 2 weeks)

Your Funeral Guy:Funeral Cost too High in the USA!(last 2 weeks). Funerals always cost too much in any situation because a person is involved. But the death of these folks is too much funeral cost to the  world. May they all rest in peace. All three.

First there was the Tim Russert  Wake and Memorial Service:
The funeral cost to the nation was too great.
Maria Shriver read the poem….The Little Ship in Washington DC. Bruce Springsteen was front and center.
It would be wrong not to repeat it. It is one of the best funeral poems ever written.

The Wife of the Actor and  California governor “Arnold” gave a great funeral poem.

“The Little Ship”

I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea. The setting sun tinted his white sails with a golden light, and as he disappeared from sight a voice at my side whispered, “He is gone”.

“But the sea was a narrow one. On the farther shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation. Suddenly they caught sight of the tiny sail and, at the very moment when my companion had whispered, “He is gone” a glad shout went up in joyous welcome, “Here he comes!”

A Good post on this is here:
http://www.tellinitlikeitis.net/2008/06/maria-shriver-poem-at-tim-russerts-funeral-service.html

Then there was the  funeral song “over the rainbow”. People walked out of his memorial service to this Rainbow. Was this a blessing from the man upstairs(apologies to atheists if this does not make you a believer nothing will)

If you do not cry during this Video! You are not human. Barack Obama and John McCain sat together at this event. If you ever click on a Your Funeral Guy, funeral cost link click on this one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBddo1RGiJU

Then there was the Tasha Tudor death: The great literary illustrator original  green lady died.
Kids will miss her. Even guys read “The Secret Garden.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062202026.html”

As if this was not enough we also lost to funeral cost, George Carlin the modern Free Speech almost pornographic comedian. The famous 7 words guy.

Even Jerry Seinfeld is coming back to honor him.

In the 2 weeks Funeral Cost has been too high in the USA!
May all Rest in Peace.
Now there is more funeral story and history in Rest in Peace.

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak

Your Funeral Guy: Call Funeral Directors to honesty on Funeral Cost

Your Funeral Guy: Call Funeral Directors to honesty on Funeral Cost

Recently I thanked a Funeral Director on another blog for his honesty on Funeral Cost.

Here is what I said it is worth repeating here:

“Thank you for your honesty.

we share a trust level well short of that of mechanics, stockbrokers, real estate and insurance agents. This information should be a wake up call.

Only a few in our profession are this honest and candid. On another blog on this site I have mentioned & commented on some scandals. They are the result of the sins of more than a few. Let it be known that inspite of some blogs and comments that are tough, I have withheld information from the media on these events. Instead I have called on Leaders in the Funeral Industry to be honest. You sir are a part of the city set on the hill.

Your ethics are appreciated. I love helping families and for that reason I wrote a new book called Rest in Peace. In this work I declare that there are honest ethical funeral directors like yourself who are willing to embrace the changes that are to come!”

It is my hope that the ILLINOIS FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION (IFDA )will embrace ethics and honesty.

Right now I just find myself too busy helping folks lower the cost of their funerals…to keep up with this.

The IFDA knows the changes that are coming.

To the IFDA I Wish you the best.

There will be blogs here from time to time as things become public on the IFDA Funeral cost issue and the “IFDA Preneed Trust.”

The IFDA has had it’s wake up call.

Earlier this year it came out that the IFDA- had mis managed 40 Million Dollars of the folks “IFDA Preneed Trust” money in Illinois.

Beware of organizations like the IFDA in keeping Funeral Directors Honest and keeping your lower cost funeral Specific State Senator Randall Hulfgren refused to take action on this along with hultgrenfh. Hultgren Funeral Home is not the only culprit. Trimble Funeral Homes www.trimblefuneralhomes.com had family on the IFDA committees and has refused comment on the IFDA Preneed Trust situation inspite of positve press from…Quad-City Dispatch

More information on keeping funeral directors honest can be found here including average funeral cost:

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book. This book is published by Morgan James Publishing.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Your Funeral Guy:Green Burial, Green Funeral –Lower Funeral Cost

Your Funeral Guy:Green Burial, Green Funeral does not always mean Lower Funeral Cost. Seattle, Maine, North Carolina, San Francisco all have places that are starting to become in this new trend.It has been happening in England. Just like any funeral you get what you pay for and you should pay less funeral cost and still get great service.

Two books have contributed to the Green Burial Situation.

Mark Harris’s “Grave Matters”:

Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial by Mark Harris

And “Rest in Peace” by R. Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak.

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak

Both these books creatively examine the issues around green funerals and burials.

More information on this can be found at the Funeral Consumer Alliance, Green Burial Council and the AARP

in this article:

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/consumersmarts/archives/141653.asp

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Your Funeral Guy: Low Funeral Cost Cemetery Video and TV

Here is You tube video that shows why low funeral cost cemeteries are needed. The low cost funeral cemetery is a green cemetery. Update Nov 18, 2008 This link has been taken down by you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GGvaHFbJZY

try this link instead for a view of a low cost cemetery.

http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=92649&videoChannel=74

CSI, Donation to Science, Organ Donor, Green Funeral, Cremation, but not Funeral Cost–TV. Modern Marvels:Corpse Tech.
This was a very informative television program. From the decomposing of bodies, to the traditional funeral business. There was even a look inside cremation ovens.

The cemetery of the future was addressed. The focus was on the San Francisco Area. The Green Cemetery and the green funeral.
Funeral Cost that can be saved in cremation and green was not addressed,
The good news is that the series Modern Marvels: Corpse Tech continues to shown on the History channel.

The shows how the dead help the living.
Organ donation, tissue donation and research.
The newest and best cremation machines were featured.
Good Stuff.

The statistics given in the show were not entirely accurate coming from 2006.
Cremation rates are up. Funeral Cost is down.

More info with average Funeral Cost Information can be found here.

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Getty Images RF

Your Funeral Guy: History Channel Special to run Cremation-Funeral Cost Special.-June 20th 2008

Do you want funeral cost lowered? Low cost cremation anyone? Green cremation anyone? Yes- the History Channel is to run a Funeral Cost Cremation -”Special on the TV show Modern Marvels on the History Channel- (June 20th 2008) If you miss it this it will be most likely re-aired.

It will also include information on medical organ donation.

Credit goes to The Funeral Insider Guys on this one:

“History Channel To Explore Death in Modern Marvels: Corpse Tech

“The History Channel will explore cremation, the role of the medical examiner, organ and tissue donation and more during a show to air at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 20th in MODERN MARVELS: CORPSE TECH.The show’s theme will be “Adventures of the Body After Life.”

In a news release, Facultatieve Technologies announced that a portion of the show would feature its cremation equipment.

Check your local listings to make sure you don’t miss the program.”

Here is a link to this quote:

http://www.katesboylston.com/fsx_jun13/fsxjun13b.html:

Here is a quote from the a company  featured in this special.

These below average  funeral cost options are addressed in

June 20th, 8.00 pm: Facultatieve Technologies on the History Channel
In America, the popular Modern Marvels programme is broadcast daily by the ‘History Channel’. Each programme deals with unusual stories behind a broad range of subjects; from simple tools and technical discoveries to human miracles. On 20 June 2008 (8.00 pm), it will dedicate an entire programme to cremation and its origins, with Facultatieve Technologies being invited as the expert opinion. This is to be expected, as Facultatieve Technologies leads the pack in the field of designing, constructing and maintaining cremation ovens, both in the US and across the globe. This international organisation has been active in the branch since 1908, endowing with it a vast repository of in-house experience and expertise. The programme meets the staff, and visits the main site with all its facilities. It will cover the history of cremation, but will chiefly focus on its future, discussing, for instance, the environmentally-friendly units made by Facultatieve Technologies in Medina. Would you like to know more, or watch previous Modern Marvels programmes? Then click here Here is the link:

http://www.facultatieve-technologies.com/webgen.aspx?p=992&o=7260

Your Funeral Guy gives credit where Credit is due.

More information can be found here:

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Your Funeral Guy Dear Abby opposes Trolling for Preneed Funeral Cost.

Dear Abby opposes Trolling for Preneed Funeral Cost. Even the National Funeral Directors Association( NFDA did an article on this one). When you visit a traditional Funeral Home watch for trolls on Funeral Cost.Over a year ago Dear Abby posted a letter on what you can run into at a traditional funeral home…someone trolling for prearrangement funeral cost(s)

“A funeral home trolling for business from grieving friends and relatives of the deceased mother and daughter two days after the granddaughter’s funeral? And to use the signed book (to receive memorials) for names, addresses and phone numbers to “promote business” is, in my eyes, unconscionable! Your thoughts, please.

Doris”

This is the old bait and switch trick applied to funeral homes & funeral cost.

Dear Abby’s response:

“DEAR DORIS: Just when I think I have seen it all, a letter like yours lands on my desk.

Whether the person who called you was the funeral director or a salesman, that person is his own worst enemy.

“People with such little sensitivity for the feelings of others should not be in a people-oriented profession.

If that man’s employer reads this, I strongly recommend that he be relegated to the back room, where the individuals he deals with are far beyond the cares and concerns of this world.”

The full story can be read here:

http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/894628/dear_abby_funeral_home_approaches_mourner_to_garner_business/index.html

The obituary and memorial card were a part of this scam.

watch for trolls in traditional funeral homes.

More information can be found here including average funeral cost.:

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book. This book is published by Morgan James Publishing.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Your Funeral Guy: Dear Abby Hosts Obit Photo- Funeral Cost Discussion

June 2008-Your Funeral Guy: Dear Abby Hosts obit Photo- Funeral Cost Discussion I have never heard Funeral cost -obituary cost put quite this well. ” Grieving Families do not realize the cost until the bill arrives” Grief Stricken funeral cost price gouging must be stopped.

“The fees for obituaries are exorbitant. A simple Sunday announcement can run more than $200. The “helpful” editors have all kinds of stock phrases they offer that increase the size of the ad — and that’s exactly what it is — and bump up the cost. Grieving families often don’t realize the cost until the bill arrives. Like “Snapshot,” I find it ghoulish, just another way to soak the grief-stricken.”

The full discussion can be observed here:

http://www.arcamax.com/dearabby/s-359416-103348

It needs to be noted that obituaries photos do increase your funeral cost.

Obituary cost can be from 0 to $200 or more. Many times the free online obituary is the best way to go. You can submit paid one’s on the internet as well. The obituary is part of the average cost of a funeral that can be reduced.

Grief Stricken excessive funeral cost can be stopped.

More information here:

This discussion, along with http://www.tributes.com/and www.TheFuneralSite.com,have been some of the most progressive online funeral cost comments and sites to recently emerge. Expect this and other low cost funeral options to go national. It will be welcome along with the lower cost green funeral.

This was all predicted in:

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book. This book is published by Morgan James Publishing.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Readers of these books should check Rest in Peace out.

Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral ,

Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial

Being Dead Is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide To Hosting the Perfect Funeral

Kris Radish, Gayden Metcalf, Mark Harris, Richard Peck, take notes!

Your Funeral Guy: Coming to a city near you Low Funeral Cost Planning Guide.

“

Coming to a city near you is a LOCAL Low Funeral Cost Planning Guide! Funeral Cost Planning just became easy for Seattle and Puget Sound Area Residents. www.SeattleFuneralGuide.com.

“Seattle (June 16, 2008) — TheFuneralSite.com announced today the launch of the Seattle Funeral Guide, the first-ever local online guide for funeral cost planning. While several companies produce local wedding-planning guides, no one has created a local funeral-planning-cost-guide aimed at consumers. “We want to help people plan funerals at home, on their computers”, Anna Copley, cofounder of TheFuneralSite.com, said.”

This along with http://www.tributes.com/and www.TheFuneralSite.com,have been some of the most progressive online funeral cost sites to recently emerge. Expect this and other low cost funeral options to go national. It will be welcome along with the lower cost green funeral.

This was all predicted in:

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book. This book is published by Morgan James Publishing.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Kris Radish, Gayden Metcalf, Mark Harris, Richard Peck, take notes!

Your Funeral Guy – All Funeral Directors do not wear white funeral cost hats.

Your Funeral Guy - All Funeral Directors do not wear white funeral cost hats.

First I sold newspapers for 12 years and witnessed the rise of Funeral Cost along with Newspapers.- News, sports, classifieds, entertainment, and obituaries(part of Funeral cost) are all parts of Newspaper sales training. Funeral Directors are a key part of obituary sales..and often they are given a pass on scrutinizes because of the obituary. Many an elderly person turns to the obituary to see the person that they might of known who has passed on.

Second -There is more than one scandal. In the January-Issue of the AARP Magzine the scandals are outlined. Here is the Link.

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/money/funeral_rip_off.html

Since that article there have been more individual Funeral Home scandals and two big ones.

The IFDA Preneed Trust big boy #1 had a 40 Milliion loss of the folks of the State of Illinois. Big Boy#2 is National Prearranged Trust–NPS. Scandal, theft and shut down. This NPS Scandal applied to most states in the USA and involved many preneed companies. This is not a one or two rogue situation!

Third, in the 21st Century “Rest in Peace” people in the USA are informed of their rights under the funeral rule and told what is to happen when they go through the funeral process. Suggestions are made on how to negotiate with funeral directors. There is a chapter on the past and funerals and funeral directors are supported. The 21st Century “Rest in Peace” skips whistle blowing and simply helps folks with future funerals and funeral cost

Fourth, we are 8% of the way into the 21st Century and focusing on the past while helpful at times is not where and when change in the Funeral Industry will occur. Good luck though on trying to make it happen from the inside. Like Cremation change will most likely come from the outside.

All funeral directors do not wear white funeral cost hats.

Author Rest in Peace, published May 1st 2008.

1.Newspaper and obituary ( funeral) cost rose at the same time

2.Funeral Home Scandals cost

3.21st century cost will be lower.

4.Funeral cost change is coming just like cremation change.

More information can be found here:

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book. This book is published by Morgan James Publishing.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois