Speaker Series: Savannah Hall (Neptune Society of Northern California)
In our most recent Speaker Series, Savannah Hall from the Neptune Society of Northern California provided an insightful and thought-provoking discussion on pre-planning and funeral arrangements, emphasizing the importance of having difficult yet necessary conversations about the end of life.
Key Takeaways from the Presentation:
Legal Requirements:
- Price Disclosure: Per FTC regulations, the Neptune Society is required by federal law to disclose prices when discussing services.
- California Funeral Laws: California has specific laws concerning funeral home rights and regulations, ensuring proper procedures are followed, including handling bodies within strict timelines (e.g., a body must be removed from a nursing home within 4 hours).
- Emergency Situations: If a death occurs at home, 911 does not always dispatch immediately, and it may take hours for a response based on availability. Coroners only investigate if death is due to unnatural causes.
The Importance of Pre-Planning:
- Pre-planning for your funeral is a gift for your family. It allows them to avoid making rushed decisions during an emotional time.
- Savannah highlighted that many people assume their children will “handle it” after their passing, but this places an unfair burden on family members who may not be prepared for the responsibility.
- Plans can be paid off over several years, and pre-planning funds are required to sit in either a Life Insurance policy or Trust.
Life Insurance vs. Trusts:
- Life Insurance: The funeral home is the beneficiary, and contracts can be transferred if needed.
- Trust: Are not always transferable to another mortuary at the time of need, but the funeral home is also the beneficiary.
Legal Rights and Restrictions:
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- Without an Advance Healthcare Directive (HCD), funeral homes must work with the legal next of kin, even if the person is not the best choice due to personal issues (e.g., addiction, mental illness, estrangement).
- California’s Health & Safety Code 7100 governs who has authority over funeral arrangements, and pricing is locked in when contracts are signed—funeral homes cannot charge inflated prices later.
- Your Legal Next of Kin cannot make changes to your contract without a court order or compelling evidence, meaning your choices and purchases are protected.
Neptune Society Offerings:
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- The Neptune Society specializes in cremation and offers a variety of pre-planning options, which can even include launching cremated remains into space.
- Neptune’s green burial options include biodegradable urns.
- Plans are flexible—if not paid in full at the time of death, Neptune allows the family to pay later without delaying the service.
- Neptune also hosts tours and open houses to help families understand their options.
Unique Arrangements:
- Families can choose from a variety of options for scattering ashes, including at sea, in space, or on land (with permission). Note that scattering in restricted waters like Lake Tahoe is not allowed.
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- Cremated remains can include mementos in the urn, but crematoriums cannot mix ashes with pets’ cremains.
- For those interested in hydrolysis, a new form of green cremation using steam, it is now available in California and offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional cremation.
- Green burial methods, offered at select funeral homes, is another option available for families seeking a natural burial option.
- Human composting (officially called Natural Organic Reduction), a process that turns remains into soil that can be donated to nature. While expensive and lengthy, this is one of the most environmentally humane options available.
Final Thoughts: Savannah emphasized the need to keep pre-planning contracts and membership cards with other important documents like Trusts. Neptune provides 24/7 on-call support, and it’s crucial for families to know who to contact and that everything is already paid for, providing peace of mind during a stressful time.
Savannah’s presentation encouraged our community to plan ahead, ensuring that their final wishes are honored and that their families are spared from unexpected burdens.
For more information or to arrange a tour with the Neptune Society, visit their website or contact our office for additional resources.
