1.Tell readers about yourself and how you discovered Palm Coast/Flagler County.
I moved to Palm Coast 8 years ago after selling a business in NY and looking to move to a warmer climate with my family. That decision was the best decision we ever made, and my family agrees.
2. How did you get into the field of end-of-life planning/cemetery services?
I used to save families from Foreclosure in one of my previous endeavors so that role caught the eye of a local funeral home that called me in for an interview after reading my resume. I actually thought selling funeral plans in advance was not a real job, but I went to the interview out of curiosity. I am so glad I did because after receiving extensive training and passing a course to sell insurance products I fell in love with selling in advance. As a planner myself I thought it was such a great idea to be able to protect your loved ones from having to make these decisions on one of the worst days in their lives.
3. You have a knack for making a difficult subject easy to digest. Why is this service so important to you?
When I was 19 my father died at age 47 and we had no idea what to do. My mother didn’t have enough money to cover the funeral, and folks started helping us. Even worse than the financial burden was the task of going to the funeral home to pick out the casket and make such decisions. To this day I can remember the lonely feeling we all felt. I want to help families avoid that. I created a peaceful environment where folks can come in and pre plan with me while they are young and healthy enough to make their own decisions. Pre-planning is for the survivors that people love. It is for their loved ones to know they made the right decisions, and to know they can afford their loved ones wishes. It truly is a gift.
4. Tell readers about Lotus Funeral Services and Memorial Gardens. How does it work?
I have also incorporated an affordable unique way to memorialize loved ones. Many people are cremated, but they do not have a final resting place. I will be releasing details of our first Botanical Memory Gardens pre-construction sales very soon. That is an affordable garden like space that you can plant your loved one as a flower so their memories can bloom on. In addition if someone would like to plant their loved ones at their own home we can do that too or in a potted plant. We offer living urns on our website and we can help commingle the cremated remains of their loved ones to provide an affordable way to offer a lasting memory. The need for a traditional cemetery is decreasing so we need to focus on affordability and practicality so their loved ones can also memorize them online instead of spending thousands on a headstone that you can’t see if you don’t live here.
5. What makes you different from the other funeral services in the region?
Aside from price as I am substantially more affordable than most corporately owned funeral homes, I am offering unique services. I am providing a space that people can be comfortable in when they are making plans either in advance or at the time of need with an extensive coffee bar selection. When someone loses a loved one they need to know they are going to be okay. My environment helps them feel peace and know that they can take their time choosing the best way to memorialize their loved ones. I also offer unique ways to leave loved ones with a gift of sharing their legacy in video format and memory boxes. I can’t share too much, but I encourage people to come in and find out what I mean. Also, the Botanical Memory Gardens offer such an affordable and unique way to remember their loved ones. It really is something I am thrilled to share. The best feeling is helping families feel like they did the right thing for their loved ones, and I offer options so they can do that. I am happy to serve our community with ideas that were not accepted in a corporate environment. As the only owner, I can make decisions that can benefit families in many ways.
