Financial planning includes death

Last week, North America’s biggest funeral company, Service Corporation, ate up Stewart Enterprises last week for $1.4-billion. The firm is now valued at $4 billion, proving “death care” is big business.

Much of Service Corp.’s revenue comes from customers buying their own funeral preparations and cemetery plots ahead of time. Sounds morbid but it’s a practical way for clients to tidy up their affairs without adding more stress to loved ones left behind.

Guide clients through end-of-life matters with these helpful links:

Advisors must help clients plan their deaths When and how to discuss post-life planning with your client.

Why prepay the funeral? Funerals may cost more than your clients think.

Death and taxes: what you need to know Dead clients still need to pay their income taxes. Read up on rollovers, exemptions and taxes on trusts.

When there’s not a will A parent dies and children suddenly go Mr. Hyde on one another. A proper will can help keep the family together.

Kids need life insurance, too If a child dies, life insurance helps with unforeseen financial and emotional costs.

Prepare clients for the worst before travelling What kind of coverage do clients need if they die abroad?

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.