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Showing posts from December, 2016

Christmas Greetings from Shoobridge Funeral Services - 2016

Christmas Greetings from Shoobridge Funeral Services - 2016 It is truly hard to send 'best wishes' to our clients, past and present at any time but it is particularly difficult at Christmas. Christmas, as we know celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Amongst Christians, the importance of this event is both without question and also, a matter of debate. To qualify this statement involves the inclusion of Easter and the crucifixion of Jesus. Which of the two events is the most important IS the debate and an instance I experienced comes to mind. Offering a 24-hour service restricts Bank Holiday planning for many vital services, none more than those we offer. As such, I was called to a family some years ago to deal with the passing of a male, over the Easter period. With true feeling, I was empathetic to the family who surprised me with ‘Alleluias’ and praise and I was cordially invited to join them in prayers of thanksgiving. Somewhat puzz

The Risng Costs of Funerals

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The Rising Costs of Funerals  Is It TOO Expensive to Die?   With the cost of living increasing rapidly, the last thing people want to think about is the cost of dying. But funerals and arrangements can absorb large amounts of money. Prices and crematorium fees vary tremendously across the country - a cremation based funeral could cost anywhere from £1,700.00 to £5,000.00. Burials, other than ‘Woodland’ or natural burials - and even some of these, run at much higher costs nationally, anywhere from about £2,400 to £7,000.00 - according to research. “People don’t realise the costs involved,” says Paul Shoobridge, of Shoobridge Funeral Services - an experienced funeral pre-planner and certified, East Devon funeral director. It is also a notable factor that some national funeral providers tend to upsell at a time when those who are grieving are at their most vulnerable, stressed and distraught - it is said. Howe

Data Protection, Wills and Pre-paid Funeral Plans

Data Protection, Wills and Pre-paid Funeral Plans Often I set out to write a topic that not only has interest but information or facts that are possibly, not widely known. Unfortunately, I find it hard to stay ‘on track.’ Similarly, when I set out to accomplish a task, I tend to go off at/on, tangents. I might add that these deviations are not without energy, they are positively fired and much is accomplished. Mostly, the end target, which was the starting point, is also achieved. One of my worst situations constantly, is to find a window in time or rather, a window of time. If I see the chance of punctuality offering a five-minute early arrival, I will ‘find’ a job that fits into the interval – unfortunately, the five-minute job always takes longer and I become late for my appointment. I should clarify that these are not funeral appointments or client meetings – more of a family or lesser priority demand arrangements. M

Mortality and Demographics in the UK

Mortality and Demographics in the UK I guess few people outside of the ‘trade,’ read or are interested in, human mortality? Quite obviously, as a practising funeral director, I need to be. If we were to average-out the number of deaths per year and look back over a few decades, obvious things would be apparent – I think. Much emphasis or focus is directed towards, ‘baby boomers.’ Whether you understand factors of this period really doesn’t matter greatly because the majority of those people born at that time are still with us – alive. Consider this theory: those people born from 1920 onwards, young men especially reaching the age of 18, were probably called up to fight in WW II. With the enormous number of casualties, it follows that there would be a ‘drought’ of mortality for the last two to three decades because the ‘normal’ number of deaths would be ‘short’ those that had previously died. Up until recently, global

What Happens To Cremated Remains?

Without a Trace Not to coin a phrase pers é or borrow the title of the popular TV program from America; have you ever wondered, and I know the answer is ’No,’ where do ‘they’ go? Where do who or what go? Ashes! Cremated remains or, their ‘owners.’ As a practising funeral director, rarely do I see any narrative regarding this subject but, it is a ‘real’ problem. Can you imagine the sheer amount of cremated remains that could be left at a crematorium during the course of one year, three years, five of even ten years? It simply doesn’t bear thinking about so, what happens? Generally speaking, if you make any one of us pay for a service, you will gain our attention. Crematoria ‘shift’ the responsibility to funeral directors and, naturally so. It is us that dealt with the family or the executors and we have first-hand knowledge and contact details for all our customers – right? Right. So, what do you imagine can go w

Planning For The Future

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE - Plan and pre-pay your funeral - TODAY! at today's prices An ‘end-of-life’ plan sounds dramatic or applicable only if, ‘I’ get ill, in the future or if I need   nursing or medical care? True, end-of-life plans do exist for that purpose but this is a personal plan - to let others, those we love and care about, know our wishes for the day that our own sad event occurs – an event that is inevitable – it WILL happen, one day. Putting off this task is quite easy and could be perceived as a good, ‘ Reason to Stay Alive’? In the unlikely event of an accident or sudden illness, we may lose control of our own destiny and once an end-of-life plan is put into place, life can continue - almost without further thought. So what should I be considering? ·       Have I made a will? Who will act as my Executor/s? ·       What is a ‘Power of Attorney’ arrangement? ·       Will I need a P-o-A if my memory