Racing Toward Diversity magazine (RTD) recently interviewed Loretta Faheem, Survivors’ Agent

Should anything be done about asking for donations to help with Funeral costs? 

Racing Toward Diversity magazine (RTD) recently interviewed Loretta Faheem, Survivors’ Agent 

RTD: Loretta - Welcome to Racing Toward Diversity's blog - Will you tell us a little about yourself and how you came to know so much about this subject? 

Loretta:  I married a Lutheran Pastor on December 28, 1991.  When we married, I had a house in Chicago, had a BA in Criminal Justice and worked for the criminal justice system in Cook County. Although I had a closet full of clothes and enjoyed the “single life”, there was a void. My husband filled that void. 

On May 28, 1993, my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. I was 9 months pregnant. Our son was born on June 21, 1993. My husband passed away on August 15, 1996. He did not have Life Insurance. As such, I can speak to the financial challenges our son and I have endured as a consequence. 

Earlier this year, the Funeral Director of Carter Funeral Chapels in Chicago learned that he was $50,000 in debt to the electric company. The reason, he said, was because he’d performed burial and related services for families who didn’t have Life Insurance and, thereby, couldn’t afford to pay him. He further stated that “it was not uncommon for hats to be passed at Funerals to help defray the expenses”.  

RTD: What type of planning should occur? 

Loretta: Couples should make their Life Insurance needs assessment a joint decision. Single persons should make their family members aware of the existence of their Life Insurance policy and where it can be located, when necessary. Beneficiaries, primary and contingent, should be updated as necessary. 

RTD:  What happens if you don't do any planning?  

Loretta:  When there is no planning, unfortunately, the family will be burdened with the payment of Final Expenses. Moreover, if there is a Mortgage when the primary wage earner passes away and the income of the surviving spouse is insufficient, the house could end up in foreclosure. 

RTD:  What is your recommendation? 

Loretta:  My recommendation is to have a Life Insurance Policy in place, along with a Will. A Life Insurance Policy with a Death Benefit of at least $30,000 is adequate to cover Final Expenses.  Also, know that the younger you are when you get your policy, the less expensive it is.  Additionally, smokers pay higher premiums. 

RTD: How can people get more information and contact you? 

Loretta:  Please contact me at (919) 259-4742 with any questions or comments. 

FYI - Recent news story about the Wilmington 10 – Please be sure to read the last sentence. 

Wilmington 10 Member passes away 

By: News 14 Carolina Web Staff 

WILMINGTON--A member of the Wilmington 10 passed away.   Connie Tindall died Friday, at the age of 62. Tindall and nine others were convicted of firebombing a grocery store in 1971, and that conviction was later overturned. A group that has been trying to collect enough signatures to ask the governor to grant Pardons of innocence say they're hurt one more member will never get that acknowledgement. "It's like losing a part of your limb, losing a member of your family. Mr. Tindall was someone who all of us loved, for whom we had great affection. He was like the backbone for our cause to gain Pardons of innocence for each and every member of the Wilmington 10,” said Cash Michaels, Pardon Project Coordinator. Four members of the group have now passed away. Davis Funeral Home in Wilmington will be handling Tindall's services. His family will be asking for donations to help with Funeral costs. 

Life Insurance won’t keep you from dying. It’ll keep your dreams for your family from dying with you. ©