Originally Posted by MIskra (Post 1900357)

We also attended two presentations from competitive companies. Going into this, we felt it was something we wanted to do, but did not know anything about it. I have to admit, that we are the kind of people who tend to over-analyze everything. This was our experience:

After the luncheon with the first company, we felt very pressured by the presenter to set up a follow-up discussion in our home (to the point we felt uncomfortable). We thought that once she was in our house she would put even more pressure on us and it would be hard for us to get her to leave without a signed contract, so we declined. We later contacted their storefront office in The Villages, asked to speak to the manager, explained the situation, and requested to talk to that person (instead of the pushy-presenter) in their office instead of our house. We were accommodated and the manager was very nice, not pushy at all, and answered all our questions. We wanted to do some comparative shopping, so we did not sign a contract.

We thought the presentation at the luncheon of the second company was more informative and less emotional, which we appreciated. Maybe because we had already been educated in the office of the first company, we found this presentation much better and no pressure whatsoever to do anything. Again, we were hesitant to invite a sales person into our house, but we asked for a private session at their office in The Villages. The private session was excellent and mostly what we talked about was the differences between the two companies. We also contacted the first company for them to confirm and explain any differences. We learned a lot.

We also contacted a funeral home who has been in business for many, many years in this area. We met with them...no luncheon...no pressure....pure information. Also excellent. Several difference were noted and discussed.

We put together a comparison chart on these three options. There were differences between all of them. I don't like to give out the names because none of the differences were bad, mainly personal preferences. We took a lot of time to make up our minds, and we made several follow-up calls/emails to all three. We ignored all of the BS "sign now because prices will be increasing" threats, and in the end, so did they. All knew we were doing serious research, and they gave us our space.

We chose the second company. We called the other two and thanked them for their time and explained that the option we chose worked best for our particular circumstance.

Because everyone's personal and family situation is different, I would suggest that you not take anyone's recommendation or opinion. Just do your own due diligence. First decide if preplanning a cremation (or burial) is the route you want to take, and if so, move forward as you would with any major purchase. Include your family in your decision so that everyone knows what to do at the time of your death (regardless if you pre-pay or not).

Originally Posted by DAVES (Post 1900436)

We went through both. My wife's parents had everything pre-paid and pre-planed in a time of grief, it was all done as they wished.

On my side, while there were no disputes between my sister and I, we thanks to my great, great, great, grandfather have a huge family plot. By pre-paying you make your decision as to what and where clear to all. For us yet another unresolved dispute.
I want to be buried, wife want to be cremated. Solution-beats me.

Originally Posted by DAVES (Post 1900436)

We went through both. My wife's parents had everything pre-paid and pre-planed in a time of grief, it was all done as they wished.

On my side, while there were no disputes between my sister and I, we thanks to my great, great, great, grandfather have a huge family plot. By pre-paying you make your decision as to what and where clear to all. For us yet another unresolved dispute.
I want to be buried, wife want to be cremated. Solution-beats me.

Originally Posted by Joe C. (Post 1900530)

When you sign up for cremation, the cost is known up front. Pay in full or pay monthly installments. Not expensive. And no, you aren't screwed if the company pulls goes away. The money is in escrow (state law). They give you a card to keep in your wallet. No matter where in the world you die....they take care of everything, and the ashes are delivered to the designated recipient. No hassle and no fuss. When you die, it's a stressful situation for the next of kin, and sometimes they aren't in a good mindset to make any decisions concerning you. (expensive caskets, big expensive funeral, expensive urn, etc.). This way, YOU make all the decisions before you die, saving your next of kin the stress and worry.
BTW, I went with Baldwin Brothers. I liked what they offered.

Originally Posted by talleyjm (Post 1900587)

We went with Baldwin Brothers, too. Main reason for prepaid for us was out of consideration for our family members who live over a thousand miles away. We each pay $34 a month, for two years, interest free. Really painless. My mother’s prepaid and preplanned arrangements were a godsend to everyone in the family. She even wrote out a rough draft of her obit! We all lived out of state and were working with families to take care of so her thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated. One phone call and done. When my father died it was a totally different story as nothing had been preplanned. Fierce family arguments arose because my siblings wanted him buried at Arlington National Cemetery some 3 hours from my mother’s home and I wanted him buried at a small military cemetery 20 minutes from my mother’s home so she could visit his grave. My mother didn’t know what to do as he had never made clear if he wanted to be buried or cremated or where he wanted his remains to be. My mother ended up agreeing with me and was able to visit my father’s gravesite a couple of times a month. Hubby and I went to the one presentation and signed on the dotted line. We’re betting on Baldwin Brothers with a 40-year excellent reputation still being in business when we die❗️Do your family a favor and don’t burden them with all the decision making while they are grieving their loss.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1900148)

In my opinion, paying for a cremation or funeral before you are dead makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.