Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecil Ivey, Sr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cecil. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We launched Cindy’s List Funeral Concierge on December 8, 2018… my mother’s birthday. Cindy is my mother and the inspiration for the name. When Granny died in 2017, there was NO “list” of things we should do, what to say or how to prepare. Just like most families in America, we went straight to the funeral home. We told them how much money we had and they took care of the rest.
(Rule #1 – Never tell a funeral home how much money you have. Ask them for their GPL or General Price List.)
The funeral home we selected did a wonderful job. Granny looked beautiful. Then we received the Statement of Goods and Services. It itemized all of the expenses and fees the funeral home charged us. The one that hurt the most was the WIG. Granny had wigs, so we had one combed and styled. We had it delivered to the funeral home. The only thing they needed to do was put it on her head… $75!!!! My Auntie could have done it, or I could have. Add that on top of the roughly $3, 500 custom casket we “needed.” We later found the EXACT same casket for $1,500.
(Rule #2 – Shop around.) There was an additional charge of $250 for extra mileage due to them getting lost on the way to the viewing. That’s when we immediately began to research the death care industry and how they do what they do. Why they do what they do. Who are the players? What’s the REAL cost of funeral-related merchandise and services?. We’re still learning, but we’ve learned enough to be dangerous. Our first year of operation, we helped families for FREE and saved grieving families more than $30,000 in funeral cost. It has taken off from there. We’ve added additional services, such as our Inheritance Protection division,which provides life insurance solutions and our Planning Concierge, which helps with wills, disposition and other planning documents.
(Rule #3 – Get life insurance. Let’s start a #NoFundMe movement.) We help families reduce the time, money and emotional cost of planning for and purchasing a funeral. #prepare #purchase #protect
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not! Being an entrepreneur is hard. Being a serial entrepreneur is crazy. LOL. One of the biggest hurdles we had to overcome was believing we could NOT do it. That we were “less than” any other organization in the death-care industry. That we were just a “little company” or a “small startup.” Long story short, we were thinking TOO SMALL. Once we got over that ridiculous, fearful mindset, we started executing on a high level and things started happening for us. Our team began to come together and we started becoming profitable. Now… (emphasis on NOW… lol) we feel unstoppable!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cindy’s List Funeral Concierge and Inheritance Protection – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What I’m most proud of is that WE are Cindy’s List Funeral Concierge & Inheritance Protection. That we can service the community and help lighten the burden for families. We do that by helping them prepare for yesterday, purchase the future and protect your inheritance. But what does that mean? I’m glad you asked. (lol)
Prepare for Yesterday: Think about your family. What would tomorrow look like them if YOU DIED YESTERDAY?
We help prepare you for that! Do you want to be buried, cremated, or turned into a tree? We’ll educate and assist you with completing your body-disposition form, drafting a living will, health care directive, and more so your family knows what you want. Make sure your wishes are carried out and someone feeds the fish when you’re gone.
Purchase the Future: The rate of inflation is about 3%. The national average of a loaf of bread in 1950 was $0.12. In 2019, the average loaf was $2.35. How much will your casket cost in 2050?
As a member of our signature Funeral Concierge Program, not only will a dedicated adviser assigned to your family to help negotiate your funeral on their behalf, but you’ll NEVER PAY RETAIL again for any funeral merchandise or service. Our members save 10-50% off-retail on caskets, urns, flowers and much more for a minimal monthly or yearly membership investment. We’re like the AAA of funerals. LOL.
With AAA, you pay your membership fee and when your car breaks down, someone is there to help you and your family. Well, when YOU break down, we’re there for you and your family to make sure they have the casket/urn you wanted, that the funeral home is not taking advantage of them or adding unauthorized expenses and your wishes are respected. Your membership covers you and up to 4 members of your family at no additional cost. Last but not least, we help you protect your inheritance. A minimum of 3-5% of a family’s inheritance is lost in fees and court costs if they end up in probate court. It could take months or years for the estate to settle. Let’s not forget good ole Uncle Sam and his taxes. What if you could pay off your house, send the kids to college and pay the bills long after you’re gone?
Oh, yea… and do it all tax-free. Life insurance and other financial solutions allow you to do that. It’s a reality in our community that when someone dies, we see the fish fry’s and GoFundMe accounts go up almost immediately. We want to start a #NoFundME movement. An Inheritance Protection Specialist can verify if you qualify for a government program that covers 100% of all your funeral expenses. If you don’t qualify for that particular program, we have over 15 different programs where you may get approved. Once we’ve helped you set up your will, we know you want to be buried, we know the services and merchandise you want and we helped put a life insurance policy in place, the only thing your family has to do is ACTIVATE YOUR PLAN. If something were to happen to you, they’d only need to contact us ONCE via phone call, text or email and we’d handle everything for them.
Your family will be assigned a dedicated concierge who will contact the funeral homes and negotiate on your behalf. He/she will notify the cemetery to make sure we’re getting the best possible pricing. We’ll reach out to the insurance company to verify the policy is processed as fast as possible. Plus, they’ll get discounts on the merchandise and services you selected. Everything I wish my mother had, for only a minimal monthly or yearly investment.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Houston changed our lives! I love H-Town! Southern hospitality is #RealLife here! We’ve grown SO much since we’ve been here and met some AMAZING people! Y’all can keep this Texas heat, though. LOL
Pricing:
- Funeral Concierge Membership starts at only $4.95 per month ($59.95 yearly)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cindyslistllc.com
- Phone: 724.624.9297
- Email: info@cindyslistllc.com
- Instagram: @CindysListLLC
- Facebook: @CindysListLLC
- Twitter: @CindysListLLC
- Other: bit.ly/3eglNxS
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