Avoiding Financial Burden Through Proper Funeral Planning
Mexicans often avoid planning their funeral services due to superstitions or financial constraints, but this can lead to unnecessary expenses when death occurs. Only 4% of Mexicans have funeral protection, highlighting the need for increased public awareness and financial education.
Óscar Padilla, CEO of J. García López, explains the situation
Óscar Padilla, CEO of J. García López, states that only 4% of the Mexican population has funeral protection. This statistic underscores the importance of raising public consciousness and improving financial literacy regarding funeral planning.
Cultural Beliefs and Financial Barriers
Despite Mexicans’ common jokes about death, there’s an underlying fear that prevents families from planning ahead. This reluctance often results in last-minute funeral service arrangements, which can increase costs by 25% to 30%, according to Padilla.
The consequences of inadequate planning
When a loved one passes away, families face not only emotional turmoil but also financial strain from overpriced funeral services and unfamiliar legal procedures. Proper planning allows families to focus on grieving rather than navigating complicated processes.
Key Features of a Prearranged Plan
Padilla outlines that contemporary funeral plans offer flexible payment options and adapt to family budgets, starting as low as 400 pesos per month. These plans cover the entire process from death to the final delivery of ashes or burial.
- Operational services: Telephone advice for families, body retrieval and transportation to a branch or home for viewing, and makeup and dressing of the deceased.
- Aesthetic services: Provision of a casket for viewing.
- Transportation for cremation or burial, with some companies offering on-site crematoriums to eliminate additional transfers.
Legal Aspects and Procedures
A crucial aspect of prearranged plans is their inclusion of comprehensive procedures, not just advisory services. These plans cover obtaining inhumation or cremation permits from the Health Secretary and delivering a death certificate from the Civil Registry without additional cost.
- Transferability: Plans can be used by anyone chosen by the contractor without extra charges or expiration dates, lasting up to 30 years.
- Price range: Funeral plans start at 14,000 pesos and go up to 32,000 pesos depending on their features.
Recommendations for Contracting Funeral Services
When selecting a funeral service provider, consider the following:
- Company verification: Choose a registered, established company with a Profeco contract. Check the Profeco portal to ensure there are no unresolved complaints against the company.
- Facility inspection: Visit the facilities before purchasing to confirm that their quality matches the company’s reputation.
- Legal procedures: Be cautious of companies offering “advisory” or “administrative” services but failing to deliver essential documents like death certificates, which could cost up to 20,000 pesos without proper planning.
Additionally, funeral plans are available for pets, with economical options starting at 7,000 pesos and financing plans offering 18 monthly installments.
