Out of bad things sometimes comes something good. At least that is the thought behind Ridgewood Lodge's Family and Friends Council's desire to bring in some honourable funeral directors to Princeton for an afternoon information session. "Princeton has had an incredibly awful experience with funeral director Fred Netherton in the past and I am hoping that by bringing in Jeff Everden from Everden Rust Funeral Services out of Penticton we can all get a little bit of positive education on the ins and outs of funeral planning," said Ridgewood Family and Friends Council secretary Michele Sutter. "The community was rocked by the information that Netherton was an unscrupulous funeral director and we are still healing from that."
"Death isn't something that people like talking about," continued Sutter, "but it can be really helpful to know in advance some of the details and cost involved with funeral planning. If you wait until a loved one dies, it becomes almost impossible to make clear decisions. You are at a loss and if you are not careful funeral services can take advantage of your emotional despair. It can be a gouging industry and you are just raw when it happens."
Knowing the facts and dispelling the fears about funeral planning is the reason for a information session on Monday March 21 at 1 p.m. in the Education Room at the Princeton Hospital. "We are encouraging the public to attend. We want to dispel the myths and we hope to help those faced with funeral planning in the future to not be so vulnerable."
Sutter said that there is help for those who are unable to pay for the funeral of a loved one that people don't always know about. "The Ministry of Housing and Social Development can help with costs. There are death benefits through CPP and Veterans Affairs. It is best to know in advance how to deal with a death and make an informed decision than wait until you are emotionally distraught."
"I phoned some funeral homes and Jeff Everden impressed me right from the moment I called him," said Sutter. "He was up front about everything right down to sending me a price list. We will have another session in the fall with another home, but this is a good start. I promise you it won't be morbid, but more just about education on a very sensitive subject."