I Was That Person...

Growing up, during my school years, before I walked out of the door in the morning to head to class, my mother would always remind me where certain documents were should anything happen to her or my Dad.  I was that person.  

Thirty-five years ago my sister’s two best friends suffered from a horrible disease called Lupus.  She did all she could to research causes, symptoms, natural healing and medicine.  Back then we didn’t have the Internet, we had encyclopedia’s and medical books.  A year after her friends transitioned home to heaven, my beautiful sister became ill and we didn’t know what was the cause or what it was. 

It took doctors seven years to diagnose her with Lupus.  It devastated her, however she learned how to manage it.  Fast forwarding 35 years, to 2014.  My sister’s lupus stage was at it’s highest level. 

One of the most important people of my life was gone.  She was a 30 year survivor!!! My Hero.  We talked on the phone daily having our coffee, planning trips and cruises and shopping sprees.  We talked about our grandchildren and the plans we had for them.  We would also spend time on the phone talking about a very important issue.  What my instructions were, should she pass.  She made sure we discussed this every day were on that morning phone call. I was that person, again. 

 She made sure I knew where her life insurance documents were.  She gave me specific instructions on how to handle her final arrangements, how much to spend and to with whom to share.  This was our discussion every day first and foremost and then we moved on to more cheerful topics. 

I received a call one night from her Fiancee telling me that my best friend and sister was no longer with us.   During the time of planning her arrangements we discovered that she didn’t have as much final expense coverage as she thought.  We were short a few thousand simply because according to her insurance company, she didn’t reach the threshold of 2 years for being covered, which was the requirement to receive full coverage.  We only received the total of payments she made toward her policy (6 months of payments).   

Yes in previous years she obtained an 80,000 policy, however there came a time when the Lupus flare ups and pain became unbearable she could no longer work.  She could not afford to maintain her payments for this type of policy.  She discontinued her policy and purchased a lower cost policy. 

I loved her so much and I wanted to respect her final wishes.  I began to worry. I wasn’t sure with 2 of children in college if we were financially prepared to handle this.  Thank God for the support of my husband we were able to cover the funeral expenses.  I share this story because I care about you and your families. 

Take the necessary measures to prevent this kind of worry.  Not everyone has thousands of dollars laying around to pay for funeral expenses.  Your family will have enough on their mind just losing you. Prevent doubt, confusion and unnecessary worry and expenses now.   Here are a few tips with the things I learned from this experience.  My sister did everything right, except #1.

• If you have a life insurance policy, review with an agent to figure out any holes in your policy, including death benefit payout timing.
• Yes, assign someone you trust that will follow your final wishes and be sure they are aware of Step #1.
• Choose someone that will be emotionally stable to handle this kind of business on your behalf.
• Have ongoing communication with this person; changes, plans, names and contact information of others you may be having a discussion with about your final expenses.

My husband was led to go into the insurance business to help prevent others from experiencing this type of worry.  Let me be a bit frank, funerals cost!  I am a woman of Faith and I believe in leaving an inheritance. (Proverbs 13:22) 

What my plan covers is all of the above steps in which I have a final wish that lists all of my concerns for my family to follow.  At the time of enrollment, I was same day qualified and covered.  It was a simple application, with just a few questions and now I don’t have to worry about my family.   

If you are a #NewJersey resident and are in need of Final expense insurance or feel the need for a little more insurance  (to cover bills, college, credit card debt, etc) or perhaps you would like to have a discussion about options for affordable, immediate coverage, contact Donell Henderson, he is able to answer these direct concerns due to your specific needs for you and your family. Contact  donellwhenderson@gmail.com or connect with him at www.facebook.com/donellwh1.

#SimplyPlanIt #familymatters #nomoredoubt #familyplanning #finalexpense #beready #coverage #expenses #finances #