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THE REVERE ADVOCATE–Friday, October 4 , 2019 Page 27 Savvy Senior An Affordable Way to Go Cremation: Dear Savvy Senior, How much does cremation cost and how can I find a good deal in my area? I would like to get a simple, basic cremation that doesn’t cost me, or my family, a lot of money. Dear Frugal, Cremation costs can vary widely. Depending on your location, the provider and the services you request, cremation can range anywhere from $500 to $7,500 or more. But that’s a lot cheaper than a full-service funeral and cemetery burial that averages nearly $11,000 today. Here are some tips to help you get a good deal. Shop Around Because prices can vary sharply by provider, the best way to get a good price on a simple “no frills” cremation is to call several funeral homes in your area (most funeral homes provide cremation services) and compare prices. When you call, ask them specifically how much they charge for a “direct cremation,” which is the basic option and the least expensive. With direct cremation, there’s no embalming, formal viewing or funeral. It only includes the essentials: picking up the body, completing the required paperwork, the cremation itself and providing ashes to the family. If your family wants to have a memorial service, they can have it at home or your place of worship after the cremation, in the presence of your remains. If you want additional services beyond what a direct cremation offers, ask the funeral home for an itemized price list that covers the other service costs, so you know exactly what you’re getting. All providers are required by law to provide this. To locate nearby funeral homes, look in your local yellow pages, or Google “cremation” or “funeral” followed by your city and state. You can also get good information online at Parting. com, which lets you compare prices from funeral providers in your area based on what you want. Or, if you need more help contact your nearby funeral consumer alliance program (see Funerals.org/local-fca or call 802-865-8300 for contact information). These are volunteer groups located in most regions around the country that offer a wide range of information and prices on local funeral and cremation providers. Pricey Urns The urn is an item you need to be aware of that can drive up cremation costs. Funeral home urns usually cost around $100 to $300, but you aren’t required to get one. Most funeral homes initially place ashes in a plastic bag that is inserted into a thick cardboard box. The box is all you need if you intend to have your ashes scattered. But if you want something to display, you can probably find a nice urn or comparable container online. Walmart.com and Amazon. com for example, sells urns for under $50. Or, you may want to use an old cookie jar or container you have around the house instead of a traditional urn. Free Cremation Another option you may want to consider that provides free cremation is to donate your body to a university medical facility. After using your body for research, they will cremate your remains for free (some programs may charge a small fee to transport your body to their facility), and either bury or scatter your ashes in a local cemetery or return them to your family, usually within a year or two. To find a medical school near you that accepts body donations, the University of Florida maintains a directory at Anatbd.acb.med.ufl.edu/usprograms. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ~ Help Wanted ~ Insurance Customer Service Representative (Everett) Established and growing Insurance Agency just north of Boston is seeking a full time Personal Lines Account Specialist. Applicants should have at least 2 years of insurance experience and be proficient in all areas of personal lines including Auto, Home, Umbrella, and Flood. Knowledge of coverage is essential. A Massachusetts Property and Casualty Insurance License is preferred or a willingness to obtain one within three months of employment. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, we offer a fast paced and positive work environment where team efforts and an ability to work independently are key. Please forward resumes to Danielle@mastrocolainsurance.com EOE Frugal Senior 1. In what N.E. state would you find mountains named Camel’s Hump, Haystack and Sugarloaf? 2. In 1952 what movie type premiered and featured a plane flight over the Rockies and a rollercoaster ride? 3. On Oct. 4, 1965, what Pope came to the United States to advocate for world peace at the UN? 4. What fable/novella about birds by Richard Bach was a best-seller? 5. What group of animals is known as a field? 6. What California desert city did the Spaniards call Agua Caliente, meaning “hot water”? 7. What American singer/dancer originally appeared as part of The Gumm Sisters? 8. In October 1974 Muhammed Ali defeated whom in Zaire to win the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship? 9. On Oct. 6, 1927, the first featurelength movie with sound premiered in NYC; what was it called? 10. On Oct. 7, 1959, what part of the moon was first photographed? 11. What are the full names of explorers Lewis & Clark? (Hint: first initials M and W.) 12. On Oct. 8, 1942, the first Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) reported for training at what Massachusetts college? 13. In 1932 what organization discontinued the demonstration sport of American football? 14. What fictional teenage detective’s boyfriend was Ned Nickerson? (Hint: initials ND.) 15. On Oct. 10, 1845, what school opened in Annapolis, Md., giving an alternative to sometimes brutal officer training at sea? 16. What is the world’s most populous island? (Hint: starts with J.) 17. What artist created the works “Ascending and Descending,” “Drawing Hands” and “Waterfall”? 18. On Oct. 10, 1933, Dreft was first marketed; what was it? 19. What American entertainer said, “If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt”? (Hint: initials DM.) 20. What giant monster did Guinness World Records recognize as the largest continuously running movie franchise? ANSWERS 1. Vermont 2. Cinerama 3. Pope Paul VI 4. “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” 5. Racehorses 6. Palm Springs 7. Judy Garland 8. George Foreman 9. “The Jazz Singer” 10. The dark side 11. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark 12. Smith 13. The Olympics 14. Nancy Drew 15. The U.S. Naval Academy 16. Java 17. M.C. Escher 18. The first detergent with synthetic surfactants 19. Dean Martin 20. Godzilla

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