40 The Queens Courier • coping with death • september 4, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com coping with death s Consumers are protected when Prearranging or Arranging funerals There is no need to add to your anxiety while prearranging or arranging a funeral. In keeping with their longstanding tradition of caring, funeral directors remain dedicated to helping families cope with end-of-life matters with quiet professionalism and attention to detail. Funeral directors undergo rigorous college-level training in mortuary arts and sciences, and funeral service. Before being licensed by the New York State Department of Health to operate as a funeral director, the would-be funeral director passes examinations on funeral directing and the laws, rules and regulations governing funeral directing. As with many other suppliers of consumer goods and services, the funeral industry is subject to both Federal and State laws. One important regulation to protect consumers is the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, which requires funeral homes to make available a general price list detailing the cost of all funeral products and services being considered. Unfortunately, this requirement currently does not extend to other providers of funeral goods and/or services such as casket stores, cemeteries and companies selling on the Internet. The rule may soon be amended to include these other providers in giving consumers useful information and the appropriate protection, no matter where or how consumers purchase funeral products. Because of legislation passed in New York State in 1993, all funds paid in advance for a funeral must be deposited in an investment backed by the United States government such as FDIC insured certificates of deposit (or a New York State bank). Account statements showing interest earned must be reported annually to the consumer, or within 30 days after the consumer’s request. All funds are completely portable to any funeral home anywhere at any time; all funds must be repaid to the consumer upon their request (with the exception of Medicaid recipients). The law also requires that there be no commission, fee or other monetary consideration of any kind paid to a funeral firm or funeral director because of where the consumer’s dollars are placed in trust. Although pre-need insurance that would allow funeral firms to be named as beneficiaries of dedicated pre-need life insurance policies exists in some other states, New York State does not allow this form of payment for funerals – and for good reason. This type of insurance is usually expensive; does not keep pace with inflation and has few if any protections for consumers’ money. For instance, if the purchaser stops paying premiums for pre-need insurance, they lose all benefits. Even though arranging a funeral occurs at a stressful time, the wise consumer should remember to ask questions. Funeral directors expect questions, and are always ready to consult with families as partners to ensure a dignified and appropriate remembrance of a loved one’s life. Reprinted with permission of the New York State Funeral Directors Association. MEMORIALS BY PARKSIDE Your Expression, Our Creativity • Footstones • Inscriptions • Monuments • Restorations • Mausoleums • Pre-planning A monument is the opportunity to perpetuate your memories of an especially loved and revered family member or friend. Memorial art is our way of helping you to express that memory. The monument you select will be a personalized illustration of your tribute. SHOWROOMS: For Information or to Make an Appointment Call Our Monument Consultants want to learn about you and your family. With their vast experience helping families, they will create a highly personalized memorial or headstone that is a true reflection of a life well lived. Understanding your family will help us assist you in designing a lasting and unique tribute to your loved one. When you work with PARKSIDE to create your family memorial, you can expect the highest quality granite and superior craftsmanship. We stand behind our memorials with a perpetual warranty that guarantees that your family’s memorial will last into the future. There is both sorrow and joy experienced while selecting a monument. You will experience sadness as fond memories emerge and happiness in being able to commemorate a life of blessing and hope. 98-60 Queens Boulevard Rego Park, New York 11374 2576 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11234 www.memorialsbyparkside.com 718-896-9100 Questions we’ve been asked… I’m considering cremation, but my family has concerns about it. What choices are there? Concerns about cremation often come about through misunderstanding and misinformation. When the death of a loved one occurs, a family needs and looks for the time and opportunity to gather and to experience the support of other family members, their faith, friends, and community and to celebrate the life of someone loved. Unfortunately, some believe that cremation somehow eliminates all these healthy, supportive and healing opportunities. In truth, cremation is simply one of the nal physical steps just as a burial is. The same opportunities to gather and experience faith and community can certainly take place regardless of other nal decisions that are made. We offer a broad range of cremation oriented services including many that are very traditional and include a Mass of Christian Burial followed by burial of the cremated remains in a Catholic Cemetery; others with a Memorial Service rather than visitation period; and other options that are tailored to meet the speci c needs of a particular family. Cremation need not deprive us of the important spiritual and communal opportunities that our faith and traditions offer and so we try to have support and meaning be a part of each service we are privileged to conduct. Leo F. KEARNS, Inc. Thomas L. Kearns, Licensed Funeral Director, Owner 718-441-3300 or 1-800-640-9500 61-40 Woodhaven Blvd., Rego Park • 103-33 Lefferts Blvd., Richmond Hill Myrtle Avenue at 115th St., No. Richmond Hill • 445 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow L.I. FDIC Insured Pre-Arrangements • Member Metropolitan Better Business Bureau • Price Guaranteed
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