Neptune Society Opinions?

[ThirdOfFive]

Anyone here who has had recent experience with the Neptune Society willing to share their views? I have a guy coming over tomorrow to talk about the Neptune Society and what they offer. My experience with them is pretty limited.

[Keefelane66]

Talk and listen don’t sign. Many other cremation options available in our area.

[charlie1]

Search the internet for recent class action lawsuits against them. Then make your decision.

[fdpaq0580]

1990 's, California. My great uncle requested we use them for his cremation. Less costly than most mortuaries in our area. No muss, no fuss. Uncle Art got a last boat ride and burial at sea. (Dumped his ashes overboard. That's what I want for myself)

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, paying for burial or funeral services before you die makes no sense whatsoever. I know others will disagree. When a family member dies, it takes a 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation. In many cases, it will take longer than that to find the prepaid contract.

[PugMom]

Anyone here who has had recent experience with the Neptune Society willing to share their views? I have a guy coming over tomorrow to talk about the Neptune Society and what they offer. My experience with them is pretty limited.

i have no exp with this company, but i did go to the BBB page. you should read ALL the reviews, some are not so good. best of luck

[ThirdOfFive]

Thx to all who have offered opinions and advice thus far. Much appreciated!

[fdpaq0580]

In my opinion, paying for burial or funeral services before you die makes no sense whatsoever. I know others will disagree. When a family member dies, it takes a 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation. In many cases, it will take longer than that to find the prepaid contract.

Good point!

[Glennjy]

They are very high pressure and expensive. Don't sign anything!

[KCrowne]

No experience with Neptune, but when my husband went on hospice, I contacted Baldwin Brothers in the Villages and made the difficult decisions in advance for cremation. They were beyond helpful, especially when he passed, and seemed very reasonably priced. (Except for the urns - I would go anywhere other than a funeral home for a cremation urn.)

[springfield]

We used Neptune when Mom passed. She had purchased it years ago. No problems and they were pleasant to work with. She died at the hospital and found out that the attending Dr. had to contact Neptune. If someone dies at home, some official like an EMT would have to speak to them. I bought their policy when we moved here 14 years ago. We recently bought a policy for my husband at Baldwin. They were so much cheaper and their reviews are good. We have the worldwide coverage in case he were to pass while away from home.

[KCrowne]

We used Neptune when Mom passed. She had purchased it years ago. No problems and they were pleasant to work with. She died at the hospital and found out that the attending Dr. had to contact Neptune. If someone dies at home, some official like an EMT would have to speak to them. I bought their policy when we moved here 14 years ago. We recently bought a policy for my husband at Baldwin. They were so much cheaper and their reviews are good. We have the worldwide coverage in case he were to pass while away from home.
My husband died at home - the hospice nurse contacted Baldwin - and Baldwin informed SSA. Fortunately, all I had to do was contact the hospice nurse. She pronounced time of death, contacted Baldwin, and they handled the rest. I don’t think I could have handled much else at that particular time.

[jamorela]

I signed up with Baldwin Brothers. At the time, they were the best price for the service I wanted.

[Blackbird45]

I don't want to get personal, but if you have any children I would sit down and have a long discussion with them to see what they want and if what you want is on the same page. Maybe it's me but I have little trust on things you have to pay in advance. If for any reason they fold you or your children will end up with a headache.

[retiredguy123]

If all you want is a cremation, you can state that in your will, set aside money to pay for it, and even name the funeral home. I think funeral homes are required by state law to provide a price list for everything they do.

By the way, the Neptune Society has numerous complaints on BBB.org. If they are coming to your house, the least they should do is to bring a pizza.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Anyone here who has had recent experience with the Neptune Society willing to share their views? I have a guy coming over tomorrow to talk about the Neptune Society and what they offer. My experience with them is pretty limited.

Yes. They will NEVER leave you alone.

[ThirdOfFive]

Yes. They will NEVER leave you alone.
Interesting answer!

Can that be expanded on a bit?

[cjky2k]

In my opinion, paying for burial or funeral services before you die makes no sense whatsoever. I know others will disagree. When a family member dies, it takes a 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation. In many cases, it will take longer than that to find the prepaid contract.

I intend to do for my children what my parents did for me. State my preferences and do all the “tricky bits” in advance for them including identifying a local business I have met with and find reliable. But not prepaying. There is paperwork I need to do to clear the way for interment in the very very old family cemetery thaf can take some time. My mom did all that for her and my father in advance which made things with my parents very straightforward. The kids will all know where the notes and approvals are, and contact information. If they decide differently once I am gone, that will be fine with me - I can always come back and haunt them if necessary 😁.

[TeresaE]

In my opinion, paying for burial or funeral services before you die makes no sense whatsoever. I know others will disagree. When a family member dies, it takes a 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation. In many cases, it will take longer than that to find the prepaid contract.

We did it because it’s so hard to think when your loved one dies. Having it prearranged for my mother was such a blessing. Plus, you’re hedging inflation. The $ goes into a trust. If you don’t use it, change your mind, whatever, you get it back.

[Berwin]

My in-laws bought a Neptune Society membership when they were living in Arizona. After a couple of years they moved back to Virginia and moved in with us. When they passed, Neptune Society said they didn't have any local offices in Virginia and we'd have to pay to ship their bodies back to Arizona to be cremated. Luckily both the owners of the local funeral home lived in our neighborhood and gave us a big discount once they heard what Neptune had done to us.

[japinga]

I'm alone and wanted everything taken care of so my children didn't have to do anything. Big point for me was if I was on a vacation or anywhere not local, they handle getting me back home.

[Red Rose]

I looked them up on BBB and they are rated A+

[retiredguy123]

I looked them up on BBB and they are rated A+
Did you also notice that they have 66 complaints in the last 3 years and 24 complaints in the last 12 months? Did you read some of the complaints?

[juddfl]

I moved here in 2001 and a few years later signed up with Neptune Society. They will pick up my body within 24hrs., even it out of the country. Shelley Winters used to go on the Johnny Carson show and talk about the deal she had with Neptune Society. That was the first time I heard about them. Every time she was on his show, she would comment about the price she paid and how much more it cost. She said if she lives long enough, it would be the best deal she ever made. Listen to what they have to say, but if they have been in business since I was a kid, they are pretty dependable.

[jlosch]

My experience with Neptune Societyhas been very good. My husband and I have policy with National Cremation Society and when he passed away in July 2023, we were directed to Neptune in Louisville, KY. Very considerate people and service was above and beyond.

[jstahl00]

Very interesting responses. Always amazed at how many people have the answers to funeral/ cremation laws. I have been and currently still am a licensed funeral director for over 30+ years. It is unfortunate, but over the past few years most funeral homes require funds/payment before any services are done (cremation or earth burial). Often times families do not have funds immediately available to pay for funeral/cremation expenses and this could ultimately cause a delay in the funeral process. I do not know of any funeral home that wants to hold a deceased individual for any length of time waiting for families to secure the proper funds or agree on what services are best for the family. Making these decision on "emotions" is not the proper time. The best piece of advice is to have an idea of what your final request may be and express that with your family. Although they can still do as they wish once you are deceased (unless you have a Authorization for Final Disposition Instructions signed and notarized). A deceased person does not have "any" legal rights, your family speaks on your behalf. For those of you who think a Will is the best choice, remember those are typically read well after a death occurs. Many decision will need to be made before any Will is read or found for that matter. As an owner of two funeral homes, I am not a big promoter of "Pre-Funding" funerals which many of my colleagues would disagree with me on. Everyone has different financial situations, pre-funding does have its benefits but I feel that is a personal choice. However, I am an advocate for understanding what you may want and what those services will cost and how they will be paid for. Educate yourself, this is certainly a very uncomfortable topic to talk about with spouse, children and friends, but I do not know of anyone that will get out of this crazy world alive.... you do not go to the grocery store, hardware store, doctor, ect... without having to pay for services rendered, why are funeral homes any different?

It is so frustrating to hear people say, "it's just so difficult to talk about" or "I'll let me kids make the decision when I die". Then when that time does come, people are "shocked" at what it costs and what is all involved in the process. Educate yourself and your families it will be a "little easier" when that dreaded day does come. Don't listen to your neighbors, they could be the "uneducated know it all"!!

retiredguy123..... takes 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation??? You are definitely the "Uneducated Individual"! Waste Management might be your best option.

[Topspinmo]

In my opinion, paying for burial or funeral services before you die makes no sense whatsoever. I know others will disagree. When a family member dies, it takes a 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation. In many cases, it will take longer than that to find the prepaid contract.


If they’re still in business? I got snookered by whole life insurance policy 40 years go I don’t trust any door salesman now.

[NavyVet]

In 2020 I had to make cremation arrangements for a relative and researched several companies. The quote given by Baldwin Brothers was significantly less expensive than Neptune and all the others. They were very easy to work with and didn't push or try to up-sell you. I went to the office on Route 44 in Wildwood. When the time came, everything was handled with one phone call from the hospice/assisted living facility. I highly recommend Baldwin Brothers.

[retiredguy123]

Very interesting responses. Always amazed at how many people have the answers to funeral/ cremation laws. I have been and currently still am a licensed funeral director for over 30+ years. It is unfortunate, but over the past few years most funeral homes require funds/payment before any services are done (cremation or earth burial). Often times families do not have funds immediately available to pay for funeral/cremation expenses and this could ultimately cause a delay in the funeral process. I do not know of any funeral home that wants to hold a deceased individual for any length of time waiting for families to secure the proper funds or agree on what services are best for the family. Making these decision on "emotions" is not the proper time. The best piece of advice is to have an idea of what your final request may be and express that with your family. Although they can still do as they wish once you are deceased (unless you have a Authorization for Final Disposition Instructions signed and notarized). A deceased person does not have "any" legal rights, your family speaks on your behalf. For those of you who think a Will is the best choice, remember those are typically read well after a death occurs. Many decision will need to be made before any Will is read or found for that matter. As an owner of two funeral homes, I am not a big promoter of "Pre-Funding" funerals which many of my colleagues would disagree with me on. Everyone has different financial situations, pre-funding does have its benefits but I feel that is a personal choice. However, I am an advocate for understanding what you may want and what those services will cost and how they will be paid for. Educate yourself, this is certainly a very uncomfortable topic to talk about with spouse, children and friends, but I do not know of anyone that will get out of this crazy world alive.... you do not go to the grocery store, hardware store, doctor, ect... without having to pay for services rendered, why are funeral homes any different?

It is so frustrating to hear people say, "it's just so difficult to talk about" or "I'll let me kids make the decision when I die". Then when that time does come, people are "shocked" at what it costs and what is all involved in the process. Educate yourself and your families it will be a "little easier" when that dreaded day does come. Don't listen to your neighbors, they could be the "uneducated know it all"!!

retiredguy123..... takes 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation??? You are definitely the "Uneducated Individual"! Waste Management might be your best option.
Your last paragraph is totally untrue. I had a close friend die just before I moved to The Villages. I was her trustee and executor. I made one call to the funeral home, gave them my credit card number over the phone for the cremation, and that was the end of it. They took care of everything else. It actually took less than 10 minutes, and the cost was about $1,400, which was on their price list. There was no prepayment or prior arrangements.

[JP]

My parents had the Neptune society and it was great for me to have all the decisions done beforehand. My wife and I have Baldwin and are happy with it as we think it will make it easy for our kids. I think funeral home owners can use grief to sell big packages that are so unnecessary.

[manaboutown]

When my father died in his 90s during the 1990s in a small town in Washington State my brother and I went to the funeral home together. As I understood it the family owned funeral homes in the area had been gradually bought up by a large Canadian company and they had raised prices and upsold hard. Anyway, my father had told us he wanted to be cremated and to spend as little as possible because he wanted the assets of his modest estate which he worked so hard to accumulate to go to his grandchildren (bypassing my brother and me as we did not need any of it), not a funeral home. They tried to upsell us hard. I soon told them my father was thrifty and had directed us to pay as little as possible for cremation and internment in a communal urn where his wife's (our mother's) ashes were at their church. You should have seen the looks on the employees' faces as three were in the room and heard it all! Lol. But they complied. My father would have been proud of his sons at that moment.

My brother and I were there maybe 20 minutes.

[Utah Flyfisher]

In my opinion, paying for burial or funeral services before you die makes no sense whatsoever. I know others will disagree. When a family member dies, it takes a 10 minute phone call to arrange a cremation. In many cases, it will take longer than that to find the prepaid contract.

I hear what you’re saying….but have you actually had experience making arrangements when a family member dies unexpectedly with no prior arrangements? Let’s just say it’s much more than a 10 minute phone call. If you take care of things for yourself it’s so much easier on your family/people. Since I have way too many experiences for one person, I’m saying please for those that have to make decisions, let alone financial decisions, take care of these things while you’re still enjoying your life ☺️

[retiredguy123]

I hear what you’re saying….but have you actually had experience making arrangements when a family member dies unexpectedly with no prior arrangements? Let’s just say it’s much more than a 10 minute phone call. If you take care of things for yourself it’s so much easier on your family/people. Since I have way too many experiences for one person, I’m saying please for those that have to make decisions, let alone financial decisions, take care of these things while you’re still enjoying your life ☺️
See Post No. 29. Yes, I have arranged a cremation in less than 10 minutes. If you just call a funeral home, they will gladly accept payment for a cremation. Why would you pay for it in advance? It is not even a large expense. Obviously, these cremation companies are making a lot of money on prepaid cremations or they wouldn't be offering free meals to "educate" people about them.

[Utah Flyfisher]

Heard. Sorry I guess I missed your point.

[Jhrath7@gmail.com]

Anyone here who has had recent experience with the Neptune Society willing to share their views? I have a guy coming over tomorrow to talk about the Neptune Society and what they offer. My experience with them is pretty limited.
They were marvelous

[cwmmfink]

Before you sign check Baldwin Bros...we did this a few years ago and they were less.

[spd2918]

My Neptune experience was excellent.

My parents purchased the deluxe package that included transport of their remains from anywhere in the world (they traveled). Of course most of us expire close to home, so it's like an insurance policy.

My father passed in the hospital and I called the number on the card he carried. I handed my phone to the charge nurse and that was it. That is what you are paying for; no hassles.

A word about the better business bureau: very large companies like Neptune have a huge number of clients. Take that into account when counting complaints.

[chrisinva]

Consider http://https://www.prairiecreekconservationcemetery.org/

[chrisinva]

consider http://https://www.prairiecreekconservationcemetery.org/ (
https://www.prairiecreekconservationcemetery.org/")