My dad’s first cousin, Ed, was a man who lived life boldly. He was a lumber mill worker and outdoorsman, and he always took the world head-on. He battled bone cancer for nearly a decade with the same approach — fighting it hard to maintain his quality of life.

It was just a matter of time before his health declined significantly during his final years, I often talked to Cousin Ed about insurance. I’ve been in this business since 1988, and I’ve seen how these details can just slip through the cracks when families are focused on a life-threatening illness. I offered to help with whatever he needed — life, auto, home — but he assured me he had everything under control.

When he died, we discovered his life insurance policy had lapsed. His family was blindsided and struggled to cover the cost of his funeral. Of course, it was just like Cousin Ed to request the most basic funeral — a simple, wooden box. But there were other expenses he didn’t think about — death certificates, funeral home costs. It kept adding up. They ended up using his grandson’s credit card to pay for everything. 

To make matters worse, just a few months after he died, a wildfire destroyed his home, and we learned that his homeowners insurance had also expired. It was an emotionally and financially devastating moment for his family. 

There was one glimmer of hope. I had helped his daughter, who had been living with and caring for him, get a renter’s insurance policy. It provided her with $15,000, which helped her restart her life after the loss of her father and the destruction of their home. 

I look back on those days before he died and wonder: should I have pushed more? Should I have explained the benefits of life insurance more clearly and more often? This was my family! It’s still hard not to feel some level of guilt when I think about what his immediate family went through. 

The experience of seeing Cousin Ed’s family struggle with funeral expenses, then the shock of losing his home — it still lingers in my mind. Now, when I’m talking to someone about life insurance, I have so much compassion for what they’re going through. And I have newfound courage to discuss it in the most straightforward and clear way. It’s a topic many people dance around because they don’t want to think about dying or what that means for their loved ones. Or they think it’s expensive, or that they don’t need it. But I tell them it’s a gift! It’s another way you can show your love. 

¹Benefit amounts provided will depend on the product selected and the premium will vary with the amount of benefits. 

FCS-0594         2/25

The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. The information is provided by Farmers^® and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, services or related graphics, if any, contained in this article for any purpose. The information is not meant as professional or expert advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Related articles