By Ruth Ahnen, Modern Woodmen
Life insurance can cover costly funeral expenses
When Amy’s brother-in-law died unexpectedly in a car accident, her sister took on the burdens of grief and single parenting — and thousands of dollars of medical and funeral costs. Amy worried if her own family could handle the kind of expenses her sister faced.
Funeral costs in the United States can easily exceed $10,000, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The average funeral costs about $6,500 — not including cemetery plots, grave markers, or other items such as flowers, prayer cards, or obituaries.
Social Security provides a lump-sum death benefit of only $255 to qualifying survivors, leaving already grieving families with stressful decisions over how to pay the difference. Life insurance can provide peace of mind for you and the loved ones you leave behind. The income tax-free death benefit can help pay for your funeral and any other expenses associated with your death. The money can also help your family continue living in your current home, pay for your children to attend college, or provide other necessary living expenses, such as food, clothing, day care, transportation, or insurance.
A Modern Woodmen financial representative can review flexible and affordable life insurance options. A variety of plans are available to fit your unique situation. The more you learn about your options, the better prepared you can be to select the type of life insurance that’s best for you and your family.
Let’s start the conversation. Contact Ruth Ahnen, FIC, of Modern Woodmen of America, located at 2435 E. Kimberly Rd., Suite 310S, in Bettendorf. Call 563-508-0842, or e-mail ruth.ahnen@mwarep.org.
*Social Security Administration 2013 – Registered representative. Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America. Member: FINRA, SIPC.
Photo credit: RonBailey/iStock