[Janette1]

We are interested in prepaying for cremation services. Has anyone attended a Baldwin Cremation seminar? Kind of morbid, but has anyone used their services and were you satisfied?

[Avista]

Originally Posted by Janette1

We are interested in prepaying for cremation services. Has anyone attended a Baldwin Cremation seminar? Kind of morbid, but has anyone used their services and were you satisfied?

We plan to use Florida Cremation-- think they are on Wedgewood. Haven't paid any money.

[JoelJohnson]

How much does it cost?

[Janette1]

I, too, would like to know the cost that other companies charge. We are interested in getting the plan for people who travel frequently.

[JohnN]

We went to the seminar and signed up with Baldwin. After going through parent's funerals and non-planning, we think this saves a lot of grief later on. We hadn't used them - yet.

[NotGolfer]

We went to a seminar done by Page-Theis (can't remember that last name) who have businesses in Leesburg and Wildwood. They partnered (at that time) with an attorney to talk abnout law in FL etc. Since we live here and the kids up north, we wanted to get everything in place as much as possible while we have our health. Folks need to remember that none of us get out of this world alive and it's important to plan. We met with the funeral director AND the attorney separately so now our "end of life" should be in place for our survivors. Is it something that's enjoyable to think about...no it isn't but we want to make a sad situation as easy as possible.

[sailor47]

I have always been a procrastinator!!

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Janette1

I, too, would like to know the cost that other companies charge. We are interested in getting the plan for people who travel frequently.

I used Beyers. It was $2000-plus each. If I remember they are in other places so it is transferable.

Z

[NotGolfer]

Page-Banks-Theus is also transferable if the circumstances change of where one is living at the time of death. Procrastination doesn't negate the inevitable......it all is a matter of if you love the folks that you'll leave behind and if you want to make that whole matter of settling your estate as easy as possible. I've known of folks who've left no will---it's a "night-mare" for those left behind.

We've just said "good-bye" to an extended family member whose final instructions were in place (had a trust with their will) and it has been a 'pain-less' experience as far as the legal issues.

[Riccckkk]

Originally Posted by JoelJohnson

How much does it cost?

Two years ago I signed up at All Saints cremation on 441. Total cost was a little under nine hundred dollars.

[Rango]

If you prepay and then they go out of business when you need them,
Then what?

[rhsgypsylady]

Another consideration would be Anatomy Gifts Registry. Your entire body is donated to science for research and education. For us this was the best. Not that money was a deciding factor because it wasn't; however, there was no cost to us. When he died they were notified. They picked up his body and took it away. Six months later I received a letter stating three different areas his body benefited research for future ailments for future patients. He chose not to have a memorial, although he could have if he wanted (there would have been a charge for this). I chose not to get the ashes back (there would have been a charge for this also). Donating his body was his way of giving back to society. Although this is not for everyone, it worked for us. I post this not to persuade anyone but to offer an alternative.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Rango

If you prepay and then they go out of business when you need them,
Then what?

Beyers provides an insurance policy from Columbian Life Insurance to cover the cremation. I feel secure.

Z

[Bambi]

All Faiths have been in business in the Villages for a very long time. I did a comparison between the costs of a cremation thru a funeral home and thru a cremation society about three years ago. Cremation societies were about half the cost of funeral homes for a basic cremation. The Neptune Society included disposal at sea without additional cost. However their package was more costly than All Faiths. And if you are planning a different disposal of the ashes such as scattering or interment, you are really paying Neptune for a service that you will not be utilizing. All of them are really "store fronts" and generally use the same crematoriums such as Roberts in Ocala. The average cost at All Faiths was about a thousand dollars. The companies that have promotional dinners and seminars are usually more money for basic services. I think that is wise to compare options before the need arises.