Service Corporation International, Dignity(R), NYSE:SCI has been changing the NAME of Preneed Recently to funeral insurance. Preneed has been really having a bad time lately. There has been a triad of historic Preneed Funeral Scandals: The NPS (National Prearranged Services), The Illinois Funeral Directors Association Preneed Funeral Scam, and the recent California Funeral Directors Association Scandal.
They have been doing it at their North Carolina Dignity(R) site.
Changing the name of Something that has a bad name does not change what it is or or it’s reputation.
Funeral Industry|Funeral News|Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy
Funeral Preneed Or Funeral Prepay, please think twice it is not a good idea! The NPS preneed funeral scam, the Illinois Funeral Directors Association preneed ponzi scheme, and now the California Funeral Directors association Scandal all are reasons enough to avoid the purchase a prepaid funeral. It all comes down to one word “Thief”.
Snippet:
“Funerals have become big business and corporate managers are working hard to squeeze out every last dollar. One of the most profitable and apparently compassionate products they’ve developed is the “pre-need” funeral package – basically, the prepaid funeral.
Industry-wide abuse and government regulation
Salespeople tout these plans as wonderfully beneficial, but in the past few of decades, horror stories abounded. The families of deceased purchasers of prepaid funerals would be surprised by invoices for items not covered by the preneed contract – things like the services of a funeral director, a substitute casket, or even the cost of opening and closing the grave itself and actually burying the remains.
Many states responded with more or less consumer-friendly legislation, and today there’s a much higher degree of regulation over the industry. In some states, for instance, funds used for prepaid funerals must be placed into a trust under the consumer’s control. Many states also require funeral directors to advise purchasers of all the services and equipment their prepaid funeral contract will not cover.”via consumereducation.suite101.com
Funeral Industry|Funeral News| Funeral Bog by Your Funeral Guy
There has been another Preneed Funeral Directors Scandal. This time it involves the California Funeral Directors Association.(CDFA) Again we have an instance of the theft(misuse, misappropriation of Preneed Funds.
It is not quite on the scale of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association(IFDA) Preneed Fraud. It does consist of theft and misuse of peoples funeral money. It does involve Preneed, or the money people have prepaid for funerals.
This is just another example of funeral preneed, contributing to additional funeral cost for the consumer.
Snippet from the SanFrncisco Chronicle
A state audit says one of California’s largest prepaid funeral trusts misspent millions of dollars set aside by consumers to pay for cemetery plots, caskets and services.
The Department of Consumer Affairs is ordering more than 300 funeral homes that participate in the California Master Trust to repay at least $6 million. The audit, released this week, says the money was spent improperly on administrative fees, political lobbying, conventions and other activities.
The trust holds about $70 million that has been paid in advance for funeral services by 27,000 consumers.”via www.sfgate.com
Funeral Industry|Funeral News|Funeral Blog by R.Brian Burkhardt-yourfuneralguy
In a recent blog post Todd Van Beck has insulted the Funeral Industry, and American Consumers-specifically the Baby Boomers and The American Funeral Consumer.
Here is a snippet from his post.
“The overall results of the Gallup Poll, which really focus in getting the opinions of the common ordinary folk, you know the Archie and Edith Bunkers of the world, who are the substance of the funeral profession, have concluded that Nurses literally shine in the public’s ethics opinion and Bankers have fallen from ethical grace in a big way – surprise of surprises.
Anyway here are the top ethical careers for 2008, in rank order:
Todd Van Beck has given us a substandard blog post by calling Funeral Directors “Ethical”.
1.Firstly the Gallup survey was done before the exposure of the 1 Billion Dollar National Prearranged Services Scandal and the 100+ million Dollar IFDA(Illinois Funeral Directors Association)Preneed Trust Scandal where money was taken from Funeral Directors and Funeral Consumers. Many members of the public still are not aware of these tragic events.
2.Secondly no American individual or couple alive today would count it a complement to be called ARCHIE and EDITH BUNKER.
3.Thirdly There is a legitimate place in the Funeral Industry and for Funeral Directors to speak up for the Funeral Consumer.
Congrats Mr. Beck Your Blog and Website has made into the top ten anti funeral consumer websites on the internet.
Funeral Industry|Funeral News Funeral Blog by Your Funeral Guy
This is not a personal attack on Todd Van Beck but a strong objection to an inappropriate blog post and the TERM: ANTI-FUNERAL MUCKRAKER
Prepaid or “Preneed” Funeral Plans are a bad idea. This is evidenced by the recent Illinois Funeral Director Association(IFDA) Preneed Scandal and the National Prearranged Services (NPS)Prepaid funeral Plan Scandal. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars disappeared from folks funeral contracts in These Scandals.
National Prearranged Services is no longer in Business.The Illinois Funeral Directors Association is still in the prepaid Funeral Business. I strongly urge you not to do business with these IFDA folks or any of their member funeral homes. The possibility of RIP OFF Remains.
Snippet From The Chicago Tribune:
“While prepaid plans sound enticing, they often come with strings attached. Funeral homes usually pitch the plans as a way to lock in funerals at today’s prices, saving you the cost of inflation. Cashing in the plans, however, can sometimes prove difficult.
If you are considering such a plan, review the contract carefully and understand exactly what you are buying. Ask where your money will be held and who will manage it. Some accounts that hold money from prepaid plans have gone under in recent years, leaving the folks who invested empty-handed. Make sure the contract has a provision that protects you if the firm goes out of business. Also check to see if there are fees to cancel the plan, or what happens if you move.
Changing the name of Something that has a bad name does not change what it is or or it’s reputation.
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