Success Stories and Opposing Views Explored at the LIC Pre-Need/Final Expense Forum  

Atlanta , November 16, 2004 – The Life Insurer’s Council (LIC’s) Pre-Need/Final Expense Forum, which was held November 3-4, 2004 in Atlanta , highlighted some of the industry’s upcoming challenges, and explored viewpoints from opposing groups in the industry.  The speaker roster was comprised of figures from the National Funeral Directors Association, the International Cemetery and Funeral Association, and the Funeral Consumer Alliance.  Executives from Old American Life, Assurant Preneed and Mutual Savings Life also shared perspectives and processes that have helped them to be successful.  

R. Doggett Whitaker Jr., president of the National Funeral Directors Association felt that the following issues posed the largest challenges to the industry:  educating consumers about funeral service options, including the benefits of pre-arranging; OSHA compliance related to ergonomics; changing competition, including the entry of Costco into the funeral supplies market; and keeping up with changing regulations.

Robert M Fells, Esq., chief operating officer of the International Cemetery and Funeral Association also shared his perspectives, including his perceived direction of the Dodd-Foley bill, and the potential effect of the FTC Funeral Rule interpretation that came out of a county Supreme Court in El Paso , Texas . “Companies in this industry need to embrace the concept of open competition because the regulations in place to protect providers will not be there forever,” said Fells in reaction to the changing regulations and marketplace.

The forum challenged attendees to examine perspectives from different sides of the pre-need industry and to learn from their peers.  The forum hosted regulators from several states who presented different auditing practices.  LIC’s Pre-Need/Final Expense Forum will be held again in November of 2005 in Atlanta .  For more information, visit http://lic.loma.org or call 770-984-3724.