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otowntiger 
LSU Fan
O-Town
Member since Jan 2004
7341 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:04 pm to Kafka)
People are dying to get into it!
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LSUAlum2001
LSU Fan
Tier BP
Member since Aug 2003
23835 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:05 pm to HarryBalzack)
quote:
Neither do I, but when I kick the can, I want to go out like this brother.
Reminds me of a scene from CB4..
LINK
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Peazey 
New Orleans Saints Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2012
1677 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:13 pm to Elephino)
quote:
Elephino
Interesting. Thanks for the info. 
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HarryBalzack
Member since Oct 2012
6283 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:17 pm to TIGERSandFROGS)
quote:
I know numerous funeral directors that live a life far from opulence, and they work around 50 hours a week.
It's amazing the misconceptions that people have about the funeral business. Of course, blowhards like yourself only see people making a living off of people in grief and assume they are sleazy and taking advantage--never mind the fact that 90% of their job is done with the goal of making the process easier on the family. In fact, I know of one funeral director who receives cards from several different families on the birthday or anniversary of the death of their loved one thanking him for the help and compassion he had in their time of need.
Correct.
1. Somebody has to perform this service and it's a bit ridiculous to expect them to do it for free. There's nothing wrong with a modest profit determined by market standards.
2. Many funeral homes have to wait a long time to collect their money. I think the average one costs between $6,000 to $10,000 and with the exception of a few OT Ballers, hardly anyone has that kind of scratch laying around, particularly when you consider that the time period before death was probably filled with hospital and doctors' bills. So, funeral homes usually have to wait for life insurance payments or estate settlements to get paid for their services. Life insurance requires a death certificate and that could take as much as two months to get from the state, then you have to turn around and file it with the insurance company and wait on them. If the money is coming straight from the estate, it could take 6 months. In the meantime, the funeral home man is out his expenses. He has a family to feed, too, so it only makes sense that he figures a little extra in the cost to cover the interest on the money and services that he's pretty much loaned you at an important time.
3. I'd like to know the average number of pro bono cases a funeral home takes. I bet it's a lot. I had one cousin die recently and I know he didn't have the money for the funeral, but the funeral home gave him a respectful funeral anyway.
This post was edited on 12/3 at 3:23 pm
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Martini
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2005
24106 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:22 pm to TIGERSandFROGS)
That jackass has no clue what he is talking about. As a person who has bought and paid for over a half dozen funerals and two of my immediate family in last 90 days I'll say it is a business and death has a business side. You have to be able to control your emotions and like you live within your means you bury people within yours or their means as well. A very dignified service does not have to be expensive.
A casket can be nice for $2000.00 instead of $10,000.00. No need to get the thicker concrete vault and the basic registry is fine. A nice just graveside service is more affordable than doing it in the chapel and graveside. Many ways to make it dignified and respectful without going overboard. Just do a bit of homework, as questions and be upfront on what you desire to spend. If you are not happy with the assigned Funeral Director ask for another. They are in business but they also know to stay in business they have to be respectful.
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BayouBandit24
New Orleans Saints Fan
Member since Aug 2010
7592 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:25 pm to Swoopin)
quote:
Show me a poor funeral director and I'll apologize to him.
dumb.
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HarryBalzack
Member since Oct 2012
6283 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:27 pm to Martini)
Exactly.
While y'all are on the subject, keep in mind that the Smart Minds Learning Center has a "zero tolerance" misbehavior policy.
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AngryBeavers
LSU Fan
Member since Jun 2012
1601 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:30 pm to redneck)
quote:
Just left a funeral obviously, I don't know how you could deal with such a depressing work atmosphere every day
They are usually family owned and make a shite load of money. You're just born into it.
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Martini
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2005
24106 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:35 pm to HarryBalzack)
Well one correction on your post. Most funeral homes require payment in full at the time of the setting up. They have options but they don't wait on estates to settle or life insurance. You pay then you wait to collect. Bring a check or credit card when you go. Think ahead if you believe you will have a funeral upcoming. By that I mean if you have an elderly parent etc... Make arrangements to have the funds available. $10,000.00 is a very reasonable number in Baton Rouge and you can get that down to about $7,000.00 with various cutbacks. Also plan on a plot. Many people don't think about this and that can be an expense and a scramble to find. I have a family plot and it is paid for. One thing no one will have to worry about. But you pay to open and close it. Family casket funeral spray is about $500-$600 for flowers. Police escorts, a pastor, readings, programs, music, obituary (I've bought two $500 ones this year) copies of the death certificate, food etc... These all add up. Not all will apply to everyone but this is a general guideline.
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TIGRLEE
LSU Fan
Cenla
Member since Nov 2009
14233 posts
 Online
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:36 pm to redneck)
I used to sell life ins and preneeds for one few yrs ago.
As much as it sucks for family and friends of the deceased, its just a fricking job for these folks.
They are numb to it.
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Martini
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2005
24106 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:40 pm to AngryBeavers)
Well while some are still family owned like Rabenhorst most are now corporate owned. Not many independents left.
One thing they do have in Louisiana is you can only buy a casket from a funeral home. Many states allow you to buy elsewhere like online. It's one item they have fought to keep.
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Breesus
New Orleans Saints Fan
House of the Rising Sun
Member since Jan 2010
15526 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:45 pm to redneck)
1. Detachment
2. I'm sure after like a month its all the same. You didnt know the dead guy.
3. Dead body fights when no one is around.
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Bmath
LSU Fan
TX
Member since Aug 2010
2942 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:51 pm to Kafka)
quote:
IT'S A CAREER KILLER
People are dying to do business with them.
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LSUTygerFan
LSU Fan
Team Boxtard
Member since Jun 2008
20460 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:53 pm to redneck)
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HarryBalzack
Member since Oct 2012
6283 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:56 pm to Breesus)
And, in a small town, you find out the answers to all questions, eventually. That's worth something.
Martini, up front may be the case in LA, but I too have been involved in family funerals in the past few months and they weren't pay-in-full up-front deals. That may have been because we're friends with the funeral home owners or because in one specific case, the relative was a pretty well-known politician and community figure.
A buddy of mine in Mobile's dad died a few years ago (guy was an alcoholic and while the family was in Tuscaloosa for a football game, he checked himself into the Mobile Infirmary and died within hours). My buddy was 27, single, and had no money of his own. They billed the estate and allowed him to wait on life insurance to pay the cost. I know for a fact he (my friend) didn't have good credit, either.
Of course, if you're in LA, the Napoleonic Code might have a lot to do with the differences. I know, for example, that they have to to have a court order to repossess a vehicle for default, right? In every other state, all they have to do is file a notice at the courthouse showing that you defaulted on the loan and they can grab the car anytime they want. That's what made me wonder if maybe under NapCode they can't go after the estate for reimbursement or something. Just thinking
This post was edited on 12/3 at 3:57 pm
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ThePurpleHornet
LSU Fan
NOLA
Member since Mar 2011
729 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:57 pm to redneck)
A friend of a friend in college used to work/live in a Morgue. Only met him a few times, but whenever he'd leave he'd say "You might not see me again, but I'm sure we'll cross paths someday...."
Always freaked me the frick out.
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UnoMe
LSU Fan
Here
Member since Dec 2007
1189 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 3:59 pm to Martini)
Thanks for share info and taking up for our industry,but
"One thing they do have in Louisiana is you can only buy a casket from a funeral home. Many states allow you to buy elsewhere like online. It's one item they have fought to keep."
This is not completely true, you can by merchandise online and funeral home can't charge handling fees. But to sell caskets only and offer no other services,you must have a funeral directors license and be a license funeral establishment.
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Martini
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2005
24106 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 4:04 pm to UnoMe)
So I can buy a casket online and have it sent to a LA funeral home and can use it?
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VetteGuy
LSU Fan
Mandeville
Member since Feb 2008
5274 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 4:07 pm to redneck)
"How's business?"
"No complaints..."
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Skillet
sex more days !!! (sex, lol)
Member since Aug 2006
37220 posts
| re: I don't know how anyone works at a funeral home (Posted on 12/3/12 at 4:09 pm to redneck)
Q: how many dead people are there in a graveyard?
A: all of them
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