SENIOR NEWS

By Matilda Charles

Funeral Planning: Don’t Be Rushed

One life event we don’t want to think about having to do for a loved one is planning a funeral. But sometimes we must, and it can be stressful and loaded with the potential to be scammed in some way.

A small amount of help is coming. e Federal Trade Commission wants online funeral pricing. And it makes sense. When you need to organize a funeral, emotions are running high. You won’t be at your best when it comes to thinking about pricing and services.

Back in 1984, the FTC created the Funeral Rule, but it only requires funeral homes to show lists of the prices of caskets and any outer burial containers, such as a grave liner. And it was only required that a potential customer be given those prices in person, certainly not by phone. To make it worse, funeral homes only had to show pictures or the item itself a er the prices were disclosed.

By then, of course, you were at the funeral home, unhappy and sad and stressed. e last thing you wanted to do is treat it like a car purchase and shop around. So you signed the paperwork on the spot, possibly paid too much and maybe didn’t get the items and services you wanted.

ere are a few ways to ensure that your vulnerability at that time isn’t exploited.

Before you leave the house to organize a funeral, go online to check local funeral home websites. ey might be among the very few to actually post pricing and services.

Take someone with you.

Get the price list (in writing) of what the funeral home o ers.

Before you sign any paperwork, contact the Funeral Consumers Alliance (funerals.org) and get their advice. ere’s a group in every state. On their website, click on “Consumers” and scroll down to “Don’t Know Where To Begin? Start Here.”

Remember: Take your time.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Hobbies For Different Personality Types

Hobbies can provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Finding the right hobby requires the consideration of a host of factors, including one’s own personality. The following are some common personality types and the hobbies they might find rewarding.

The Athlete: Athletes can pursue a host of potential hobbies or activities that will foster their love of sports. Men and women who still have a hop in their step can sign up to compete in adult sports leagues. Depending on the sport, leagues might be available to adults of various ages and skill levels, and some may even be more focused on fun than competition.

For athletes who can no longer lace up their cleats, coaching youth sports or volunteering to coach at a nearby school provides a chance to stay involved even if competing is no longer possible.

The Reader: Book lovers also can channel their passions for the written word into a rewarding hobby. While reading might not seem like the most social activity, readers who want to use their love of books to grow their social networks can start a book club. People of all ages and backgrounds love to read, so starting a book club can be a great way to meet an array of people.

Readers also can call their local libraries or schools to ask about reading programs for children. Volunteer to read to youngsters, helping the next generation discover the wonders of reading.

TheExecutive: Men and women who have experienced great success in the world of business can pursue a host of low-stress opportunities with a goal of sharing their experiences with the next generation of business leaders. Teaching a course at a local college or university is one such avenue, and executives can even offer to work with high school students interested in pursuing careers in business. Teaching and mentoring might be less traditional hobbies than crocheting or woodworking, but they still provide a way for adults to pursue their passions away from the constraints of the office.

The Traveler: Men and women who love to travel can begin writing travel blogs where they share stories of their domestic and international travels. Use the blog to offer an insider’s insight into certain cities, offering advice on obscure eateries or activities that might be off most tourists’ radars. Include photos with each blog post to attract more readers.

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. FOOD & DRINK: Which U.S. city is known for its square pizzas with crunchy corners?

2. TELEVISION: Which character became a fugitive in the final season of “The Office”?

3. GEOGRAPHY: Which of the Great Lakes lies entirely within the United States?

4. LITERATURE: Which famous novelist wrote his last book in crayon due to poor eyesight?

5. GAMES: What are the two most valuable letters in Scrabble?

6. MOVIES: Which movie series features a character named Ellen Ripley?

7. LANGUAGE: What is a “schwa”?

8. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which nation is credited for being the top beer-drinking country in the world?

9. ANATOMY: What is a common name for the axilla?

10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What do you call an ant’s home?