Well Hello Blog World,
What an impact life had on my life in the past 60 days! No travel stories but life stories! My dear dad succumb to thyroid cancer in December. What a shift in life! This wonderful man of God fought a good fight for 4 years. Two surgeries, 4 radiation treatments and lived for 77 years. Thank God for faith and family! It was our faith in the Holy Scriptures along with my dad's teachings as a minister that there is life after our physical life here on Earth. Prior to his death, he predicted that his time to be with Jesus was near and he was ready. Even though I was ready to cry and grieve 'total dress in black' sadness, he reminded me of how this is what we preach and teach about! Our earthly purpose is for our heavenly gain!
While we are here our purpose is family but we must live for Jesus and share his ministry!
My dad taught me well and often reminded me to "Not BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL AND BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS"
While the funeral services went accordingly, he instructed us to "Go and have church!" and that's what we did. We miss him dearly. He was our shepherd at home and at church!
I would like to provide a few tips for those who must plan for a funeral.
-Encourage your family to consider a will. It avoids problems.
-Order about 10 death certificates via the funeral home. If you try independently through the State you will pay more. Some agencies require just a copy of d.c. but pension agencies and insurance companies require the original.
-Keep funeral cost to a minimal. The family will need $$$ after all is said and done. Fancy over-priced caskets can be wasteful.All you need is 1 center flower that sits on top of casket. Create your own programs and allow a printing company to print copies. Some are over the cliff but shop around. Most obituaries 4 page programs run about $1 each so if you need 400 programs plan to spend $400! Insurance policies take time to process.
-If there are bank accounts in the deceased name, make an attempt to remove the funds if they are in a credit union especially if there are credit cards associated with the account because they will place a hold on the account and pay themselves if there are any outstanding balances on the credit card, auto loan, etc.
-Plots are a one time, pay on the spot deal. If you have a Sat burial, be prepared to pay extra!
-If there are extra clothes, depends underpants, unused medical supplies donate them to a assisted living facility. Some residents could use extra donated items. You can contact shelter or send clothes and shoes to Sal Army or Good-Will. I personally gave hats, watches, sweatshirts to family members as keepsakes and kept several items.
Death is a part of life. Embrace it by being a son or daughter of God, and by being prepared!