that will be spent on the casket, and it is what she still wishes (worth checking with her to see, she may not want it anymore at that price), then she has the right to spend it as she sees fit, even if you (and I, honestly) think it's a bit ridiculous.

If it's your money that would make up the difference, that's a slightly different issue. Perhaps a similar casket that isn't 3K more than what she originally chose?

The extra money would come out of my account.

When she made the original plans and invested in the trust, I guess she didn't expect to live as long as she has.

In Dallas, they have a casket store. You can buy a nice casket for $1000, which would cost 4-5 thousand from a funeral home. All you have to do is pick it up and deliver to the funeral home. There is no norm that says you have to buy a severely over-priced casket from a funeral home. They prey upon your emotions at the time of death to persuade you to buy from them.

The cheaper the better for the people left behind!

in a Funeral Home.

My honest and humble opinion would be to tell you to opt for the less expensive casket. The funeral home offerings are marked up quite a bit from what I remember and honestly I think that the funeral industry is at an advantage and they prey (for lack of a better word) on families who are at their most vulnerable.

Bless you Mom for having had the foresight to pre-plan. My MIL did the same thing and it was so much easier on her sons when the time came. They could focus on each other and comfort friends and family without having to worry about the financials be they a burden or not.


I'm sorry you find yourself in such a position. Having lost my Mum to colon cancer a number of years ago (still feels like yesterday) I can fully empathize with you.

May you find comfort in whatever you choose and embrace whatever time you have left with your dear Mom.


aA
kesha.

Cremation.

Welcome to our group.

Cremation isn't for everyone and his Mom didn't leave cremation instructions she left burial instructions.

This is a very sensitive area and I don't think that there are or should be any pat answers.

aA
kesha

you might be happier or feel more at peace with her passing if you get the casket she originally wanted.

i also think that if it *is* going to be a financial strain for you then you might want to find something that is more comfortably affordable. here's why: your mom set this fund up a long time ago to *prevent* you from having to bear a financial burden. and just for that reason alone, i'm sure she wouldn't want you to have to struggle financially to pay that added expense.

hope this helps

After all, she agreed with them years ago at a certain price, and it is known that the funeral home is going to make a profit, so perhaps they'll be willing to cut a deal.

Also, the viewing time could be shortened. When she pre-paid she likely had many living friends, but how many will there be at a 97year old's funeral.

I would go with a casket as she wanted, or one very similar.

online.

Nothing says you have to buy your vessel from the funeral home you're dealing with.


Lots of good thoughts in this thread. I hope you can find some resolution to your issue.

~hugs~

kesha

the price at the time and the fact that she considered it within her budget. Don't torment yourself with the thought that it was something she had her heart set on. Knowing her as you do, do you really think she would have chosen that model if the cost at the time had eaten into your own assets to the tune of three thousand dollars? She sounds like she was prudent and thoughtful before the dementia set in and made a choice, to the extent she could foresee, to cover the expenses on her own. I believe that was the "spirit" of her last wish and I would be inclined to honor it by limiting the expenses to those which could be covered by the trust.