Preparing for death: prearrangement (Part 1)

Martin Baxter, Gleaner Writer

In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. And while more closed societies like the United Kingdom and the United States avoid the subject of death, Jamaica often celebrates death as it would life, softening the process of grief and allowing family and friends to come to terms with their loss.

In this two-part series, Outlook will break the taboos around discussing death by providing tips on how to prepare for your departure and highlight some of the necessary steps to possibly planning your own funeral.

While still alive, the most effective way to prepare yourself and your family is to purchase a prearranged funeral plan. Outlook spoke to the proprietors of three funeral homes islandwide who shared their expert advice. Calvin Lyn of Lyn's Funeral Home in Mandeville, Manchester, said that his prearranged plan offers peace of mind to policyholders and their loved ones.

"For the past 20 years or so, folks have shown interest in what we call prearrangement. Usually, it's senior citizens that come in and discuss the plan and even go into the detail of selecting a particular casket- even the colour they would select and then this is all detailed in a contract."

Ensuring a 'proper' burial

Lyn told Outlook: "Some pay the total amount upfront or some can pay a deposit and then the rest in instalments. The reason is it makes it easier for the surviving relatives when they pass on and it is assuring themselves they'll get a proper burial."

Herbie Roberts of Robert's Funeral Home in Linstead, St Catherine, offered a different perspective on organising your pre-arranged funeral:

"I don't encourage any family to give their money across the table to a funeral director. What if I take your money and run off to Miami tomorrow morning?

Roberts said he wouldn't advise making such arrangements "unless (the money is) going to a bank account, for which you (the policyholder) keep the book and you can close the account whenever you like, but the funeral home cannot get a cent unless they present the bank with a death certificate and an invoice from the undertaker".

Roberts advised that money should be placed in a bank account, not given to anyone to hold. The idea is that your money can accrue interest.

Sean Wellington, funeral director at L.P. Martin's Funeral Home at Brimmer Hall in St Mary, says his funeral home has offered pre-arranged funeral plans since the 1970s and reward policyholders by giving them interest on their policies.

Two options

"There are two options we offer to our customers. First, they can select a package and the price remains the same and they can pay a deposit for the funeral upfront. Or the policyholder can pay in instalments and upon death, the relatives can pay the outstanding amount. You can also pay through direct deposits or through the electronic bank transfer online.

"We also offer an incentive for people to make prearranged plans on their funerals by giving them 20 per cent interest on their lodgements per annum."

At a time of grief, family and friends can be given peace of mind through prearranged funeral plans. This results in less stress for the family and gives the policyholder complete control over the planning and delivery of their own funeral, ensuring their wishes will be respected and followed through. In spite of this convenience, Outlook's three featured funeral home directors estimate that less than 10 per cent of their monthly funerals are prearranged.

martin.baxter@gleanerjm.com