MY BUSINESS MISSION

I endeavor to be a professional in every respect. I am very knowledgeable about my products and services, and about my customer's situation, and I am thoroughly prepared for each appointment. I am known for my honesty, dependability, thoroughness, reliability, and determination to get things done right the first time. I am a likeable person who takes good care of each customer and am usually a pleasure to deal with in every way. Using many years of experience, my goal is to help you plan every aspect of funeral and cremation planning correctly--which includes getting the best value for your money on everything if possible. No "canned" presentations are possible with me, because I focus and zero in on what you are looking for and nothing else. Richard R. Bruneau

I have sold close to 800 funeral/burial/final expense plans over about 22 years. I have stayed in the final expense business a long time and learned all the facts, from experience and much research I was not encouraged to do. Most people leave the industry after just a short time. Others ignore the facts but enjoy the money some companies pay them too much to leave. Of course, I have done other types of work besides, but I have persisted in providing services in this field because I know how to do it right, which means giving you the best value for your money. And what has amazed my colleagues and peers is that a very high percentage of my appointments have purchased some kind of plan from me. They were mostly very comfortable with the way I insist on operating and because the numbers and facts were "no-brainers" to them once I built the plans around their budget, not on what they "have to" pay. And there are other reasons I will explain.

I never wanted to be a stereotypical "salesman" per se, the type people avoid meeting with at all costs. I wanted to provide service to customers with no regrets. This set me apart from many people immediately. And what this required of me, in order to live by my highest standards, is to be honest and thorough. What this meant of me when I started selling cemetery arrangements for Valley View Memorial Park, when it was privately-owned by the Winder family, was to find out what people wanted and could benefit from--not what the company most wanted to promote. And since the Winder family were honest people, I had success immediately. I got away from that company when it was sold and was no longer a private company.

What I've Done Along The Way


After pursuing a pre-medical program when I was in my twenties, I finally ended up with a degree in accounting--which has proven to be endlessly helpful in many types of work I've done. But the pre-medical courses provided a good foundation for studying more about health conditions, which is critical knowledge when you underwrite life and health insurance (including funeral plans). Knowing who gives the best plans even for those with bad health has been an important part of my choosing who is best for funding various types of plans. Only completely objective brokers take the time to do this, and too many funeral home representatives don't, because it is normally against their company's policy to suggest any type of alternatives to what they're promoting. But I can tell you as an independent representative who has the best funeral plan and funding source for your money, and it isn't my choice because I make more money on it. It's because I have determined through intense analysis that it's the best plan for most people, even those with serious health problems. I have no loyalty to any funeral service provider's profits. No funeral home pays me a dime.

I have sold various types of annuities, universal whole life, regular whole life, term life, health insurance, and some other products. Most anybody with the right licenses can sell these products. But I decided that specialization in one or a few areas I know best and have researched well is a much better plan than trying to chase too many rabbits. I have been involved in the death and final expense industry for 22 years. There isn't much that has escaped my notice. I honestly have a "niche" in the type of funeral plans and whole life policies I set up for families. I have a competitive advantage that is totally to your benefit. Let me explain some more reasons why.

Accounting Trains You To See If Money Is Properly Used

Since I earned my degree in accounting, I have found that background is invaluable in so many fields. With respect to funeral planning and most types of insurance, the understanding of financial math is critical if a representative doesn't want to be presenting "fuzzy math" to folks. Correct numbers, on the other hand, properly explained help build the kind of trust I look for in relationships, customer service, and any kind of sales work. Some people who sell you funeral plans may only understand how much their commission is, and that's all they care about. I care about what's good for your financial picture. Too many people have bought into funeral plans that will cost them $15,000 on payment plans. This is pure robbery. To see an illustration, CLICK HERE.

I subscribe to numerous periodicals about insurance, financial planning, investments, etc., especially those that focus on the needs of seniors. This also separates me from most "salesman." And I don't use any of this knowledge or information to befuddle, deceive, or "buffalo" anyone. I use it to make things very clear and understandable to you. In addition, since I am licensed to underwrite health and life insurance, I also have been subscribing for years to numerous medical periodicals and collect books about medicine and disease, and life and health insurance industry updates. This is totally to your advantage.

People Don't Know Who to Trust

People don't trust salespeople. This makes the whole idea of meeting with someone to discuss a pre-paid funeral plan distasteful, especially to senior citizens who lived during the years of the old methods of selling, which involved all sorts of manipulation, leading questions, and things that are frowned upon today but are still used by far too many. And because most folks today haven't the time to research funeral planning, it is an easy thing to put off. And it's even more difficult to know who to trust or who is a true "professional." This is why for so many years I have used emails and the Internet to "educate" my customers. My managers hated this, because they wanted me to present things their way, the most profitable way for the company and what would earn me the bonus money. But I was more interested in what the customer wanted, as if someone were trying to sell a plan to my own parents or family.

Why Folks Don't Want Funeral Plan Salespeople to Come To Their Homes


The only way most funeral salespeople can make big incomes is by selling expensive funerals. And there is the natural fear of being subject to the sales "pitch" and "pressure" by someone they don't even know or have a relationship with at all. So appointments to "look at funeral plans" are normally turned down. It is frustrating at both ends, which explains the high turnover in the industry.



People don't have time to shop around. And they especially don't know the right questions to ask when they do. I wrote quite a bit about how to do that in the past few years, and you will find that information on this Web site. If you know someone who bought a funeral plan, they probably found it very easy to rationalize away its drawbacks, concentrate on its virtues, and talk themselves into making the purchase to get the matter over with (so they now can have "peace of mind"). Many seniors I've met with have made purchases of funeral plans because shopping around would have been too much of a hassle. But some of them unknowingly bought into bad, "raw deal" funeral plans. Some of them I have been able to get out of the bad and into a much better plan. Some I couldn't, but they still have the option of using the money elsewhere in most cases.

It’s the same thing with furniture or automobiles or anything else. I personally hate the process of looking for a new car, an apartment or just about anything else. The thought of having to make a second trip back to the dealer is always a pain. I’ll seize upon any reason for making the deal right now. Why, then, do buyers insist on “shopping around?” Why don’t they buy at the first store they visit?

Because they aren’t being offered what they want. If the salesman were to take the time to be absolutely sure what it is the prospect wants, concentrate on presenting that and sincerely respect every consideration the buyer may have, he’d find that far fewer of his prospects would want to “think it over,” or “shop a few more places first.”

What makes working with me very desirable is that I DO find out first as much as possible what you are looking for. Then, through the wonders of the Internet, I help you make an educated decision. I include so many facts on my Web site and through emails that you are prepared to deal with anyone who talks to you about a pre-paid funeral.

But most salespeople don’t understand that. They don't take the time to find out why the prospect is meeting with him or her in the first place, what it is he’s trying to accomplish, what his requirements are for the purchase. Consequently, how could he hope to offer the prospect what he wants? What he does instead is try to shove something down their throat. That is not what I do--ever! So don't even think of me as a "salesman." Think of me as a "consultant" or "doctor."



This is How One of the Salt Lake Area Chains Recruits New Salespeople



I don't try to make a big income selling expensive funeral plans, which is what the chains promote to increase their sales force. They maximize their profits by perpetuating the myth that funerals are just getting more and more expensive. But word gets around quickly about what I do, and I don't get the repercussions that "funeral plans are expensive." What I get is more like, "I know a guy who's got a great funeral plan you really need to meet with." I get plenty of referral, "word-of-mouth" business, which most funeral homes they wish they had more of.

The "trust" factor with me is very real, because, unlike most funeral home representatives, I don't get compensated or rewarded by any funeral service provider or their parent company. In fact, I am not even a funeral home representative, although I am authorized to fund for many and recommend them. I can set up plans they must honor, but I don't have to play any games I don't agree with. My contracts are on terms I accept and they accept. No compromises for the sake of money.

I've looked at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the death industry for many years, which has made many companies and managers uncomfortable. I know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. I did this very thoroughly to determine if I even belong in the industry at all. Fortunately, I found reasons to stay, such as to save people from those who take money from families and individuals who can't really afford it. I'm not trying to be a "hero," but I get more "thank you's" than most people doing the same sort of job.

I made this chart with Microsoft Excel in 2009, using price lists I used since I started in the business in 1992. Look at what funeral homes have gotten away with on funeral services. The price increases are nowhere near what the general inflation rate has been during that period. This is part of the "price fixing" game.



I believe in always being honest in all my dealings with other people. No exceptions. This is easy to do with the funeral plans I sell, because I won't set up any plans I don't totally believe are good for you. No puffery or any oversights or misrepresentations at your expense, and no plans that will eat your shorts financially. Most prospective customers are used to "salesmen" giving them "pitches" and they often end up confused or defensive. On the other hand, people who understand the facts clearly and quickly as they are explained to them get the picture and "see the light." This is why you are receiving so much information from me to review. If I could not maintain such objectivity, I would not be promoting funeral plans at all. I'm qualified to do too many other things.


I Find the Plan You Had In Mind, Not An Unpleasant Alternative

The next thing that leaves you in the best position is that I start out by asking questions to determine what you're looking for and what your motivation is. After we finish the questions, we start zeroing in on exactly what you're looking for. By the time we're done, you have what you want (not what I want). If what I have available is not for you or appropriate for your situation, I will tell you so and not try to push you into something you will end up unhappy with and probably cancel.


The whole process of "selling" is eliminated almost completely from beginning to end. What you are, in fact, doing is buying and investing--and collaborating with me on solutions.

There will be no dazzling, supposedly "convincing" presentation that will motivate you to buy what I have. Anything you are presented will be based on what you tell me first. I will show you the the best plan for your money regardless of your situation, unless you are just broke. There are many options available. You will get just what you want you want from a number of good choices, instead of a "horse pill" plan that is presented as the only option.

Let's Collaborate

I always bring along two extra calculators, as well as extra rate sheets and extras of everything. So, if you wish, you can do calculations along with me. I also show you a simple formula I use to build a plan around your budget --not a plan that is going to stretch it or exceed it. That is very simple to do. This is a completely collaborative effort. I have no reason to have to apologize for giving you what you wanted.

My approach to doing business is solely to "partner" with you. I am more or less an expert in the products, services, and funding I offer, but they will be no good to you unless they fit your life, your family, and your budget. For us to be effective partners, with no friction or excessive apprehension, we have to share our experiences and understandings in our collaboration. That's why I insist on listening and taking notes. Then I show you a summary of the proposed plan(s) before anthing is put to paper. And by this time, your thinking is pretty clear and not confused. The phrase "no brainer" starts to become reality.

My Promises

First, I promise you I'll provide you with fast, completely accurate, high-quality information. Second, I'll never pressure you to make a decision. You'll be making decisions on your own all along the way. You will be in total control of the process. Third, you have no obligation to buy from me if you think you can get a better plan elsewhere, no matter how much time and effort we spend trying to find the right plan and solution(s). And fourth, I promise not to waste your time. I prepare as much as possible about your case in advance so you're not likley to get anything too "generic." And if I don't feel that I can help you, I'll tell you so.

The reality is, however, that after about 90 minutes we most likely will have either one or two plans put together. I will have a Final Wishes Summary mostly complete, which I send to you a few days later for your review. Remember, you're "cooling off period" begins 30 days from the time the funding policy comes in the mail. There's no way you can lose.



Don't Pay More For Using Your Church

Common misconception: "We're going to use our church, so it's going to be free." WRONG. Most funeral homes charge the same or even more for using your church for the service and/or the viewing. There are numerous reasons I explain elsewhere, but they would lose money if there were too much of a discount for using a church or reception center. But the good news is that there are plenty of funeral providers of high quality and reputation who automatically give you a better price for using your church and, in fact, expect you to. One excellent choice, who I write the most funeral plans for, is Premier Funeral Services. There are more like them everywhere. If you have a favorite funeral home that doesn't give a discount for using a church, make sure they don't over-charge for caskets--no matter how good their reputation is. It's still your choice to find lower cost alternatives on everything.

Funeral homes and providers who sell pre-paid plans must use an insurance company that is specifically in the business of funeral funding, preneed, and final expense. Otherwise, they must set up a trust fund to keep money paid by individuals and families to guarantee future funeral services and merchandise. Few funeral homes set up trust funds due to the cost both to the customer and the funeral home itself. Providing funding through an insurance company benefits both, because cash value growth in the insurance plan can go to the funeral home up to their interest in the money, and the customer can get the benefits of a payment plan and insurance coverage.

However, some of these funeral funding insurance plans are much better deals for the funeral homes than for the purchaser of the funeral plan. In fact, some are outrageously expensive. I have analyzed most of them, including those used by funeral homes that are expensive to begin with. After looking at enough and going through every conceivable scenario with Microsoft Excel and my HP12C financial calculator along with their rate sheets, I came to certain conclusions. The first is that National Guardian Life, the largest company of its kind, has the best deal for the customer. Combine their plans with a lower priced funeral home, and you have the better deal. There is an illustration further up in this page. ("How Much Does A Ten-Year Funeral Plan Really Cost?"). National Guardian Life is number 92 of the thousands of all insurance companies in the United States.

UtahsFuneralPlanningSite.com serves the funeral and funeral planning market in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Our goal is to help you plan a funeral in as much detail as possible well in advance. This website provides the tools you need to pay for funerals the right way, so affordable funerals don’t end up being a sacrifice but instead a more comfortable reality. We offer or point you to Utah's best funeral prices and lowest cost for funeral plans, which can include caskets and burial vaults, and final expense whole life insurance, especially for seniors with bad health and with low incomes. You will be able to not only outline your final wishes with accuracy, but you will know exactly how to calculate and control the cost of a funeral (church, mortuary chapel, or graveside), the cost of a burial, and, if applicable, cremation options. You will not become the victim of funeral rip-offs, over-priced caskets, or plans that don’t suit your family’s true needs and budget. There will be no confusion in your family at the time of need concerning arrangements. Once you have done things correctly, they will know where the line has been drawn on spending for your final expenses, and no mistakes will be made.