Your Funeral Guy:Slow Economic Times bring Lower Funeral Cost.

It as apparent that as the economy is sliding...that low cost funeral is arising. This is indicated with the rise of Low Funeral Cost Cremation. A Casket and a traditional funeral often do not help a family in hard times We see the rise not just of low cost funerals but low cost cremations go strong as well.

This video from El Paso, Texas is informative.

http://medianewsgroup.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/medianewsgroup-tnmnp-elpaso-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=timesmedia&maven_referralObject=e9184947-d40f-4ae8-99f9-17861b424b8f

If you prefer to read an article here is one.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_9712934

More information on Lower Cost Cremations can be found here:

There are Four benefits of a low cost cremation funeral.

1. A lower burial cost option.

2. A no burial cost option

3 A Scattering of Ashes at a later date.

4. A burial of ashes at a later dare.

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 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

The “Google Books Search” give a look inside the book.

http://books.google.com/books?q=r+brian+burkhardt&btnG=Search+Books

Your Funeral Guy: A Funeral Cost Question always Asked!

A Funeral cost question is always asked and happens right after you arrange your loved ones funeral. Who asks the question–The Funeral Home owner or manager. The majority of Funeral Home owners managers and the like, always ask –How much Funeral cost $$$ did you get? What did you sell? and How much did you get? This question has great effect on the average cost of a funeral.

This is still the norm in Norh America…

Many Funeral Directors view it as a Funeral Product Industry and not a Funeral Service Industry.

The price is being paid with the rise of low cost and green funerals.

I say this in kindness and hope of Change.

The Special Funeral Packages and the casket always are the Funeral Home Managers focus!

It is simply true, Funeral Directors have a vested interest in Caskets and Urns. Saying the word Tell me where they sell caskets and urns close to cost. There s one place…The Internet.

Funeral Directors do not let folks know about funeral arrangements until it happens whether it is preneed or at need. There should be a required course in HS–How to Negotiate a Funeral! The old funeral books from 1963 to 2002 are ancient history. Education is the answer but 21st century funeral education is the key.

We live in mobile society and most folks do not have a real clue about a Funeral Homes Reputation. Great service can be had for lower cost. It is all about the service, but that includes delivering products close to cost. This is now possible because of the internet.

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: Health Cost brings Funeral Cost but your death Bed and Casket?

Health Cost brings Funeral Cost but your death Bed and Casket?

It is more than obvious that if your health costs skyrocket and your very sick your family may incur funeral cost. It is quite eerie to think that the same company that charges you for your death bed( health cost) charges you for your casket(funeral cost).

Here is some info on Hillenbrand Industries, Inc

“Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE: HB), headquartered in Batesville, includes two wholly owned companies: Hill-Rom Co., a manufacturer of equipment for the health care industry, and Batesville Casket Co., a manufacturer and supplier of burial caskets.”

Check out the full article:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/03/24/daily36.html

Recently my wife was hospitalized and to my shock she almost died. Shocking too was the almost death bed was a product of Hill-Rom. As a funeral director i know that the #1 casket company is Batesville Casket Co.

Both companies are owned by Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.

So the company that grabs your health cost also grabs your funeral cost.

More info like this 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: 3 funeral cost negotiation tools.

There are many funeral cost negotiation tools: Here are three funeral cost negotiation tools.

The 1st Funeral Cost Negotiation tool is right there on the General Price List. A GPL or general price list is required by the Funeral Rule and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you inquire on prices a Funeral Home is required by a body of Congressional Law to supply a General Price List. Every time you find yourself at different funeral home it is a good idea to pick one up.

The 1st funeral cost negotiation tool is:You do not have to accept the prices on the General Price List of a specific package Many folks simply believe that the GPL is the final deal on the cost of a funeral. Under the Funeral Rule you can purchase only the services you want.

The General Price List is simply the start of the funeral negotiation process. It is only the starting point of negotiations!

The 2nd Funeral cost Negotiation tool is to use tried and true negotiation tactics as negotiation tactics as you would in buying a car or a house.
One simple tactic is to tell the funeral director you are going to pay(offer) less than his fees.

The 3rd Secret Funeral cost Negotiation tool s ask the funeral director to leave before you sign the final contract.
Just say you need to take some time to discuss it with your family! You have the right to take some time on this big decision.

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

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.