Local Funeral Home Holds Estate Planning Seminar

Theodora Camesas of Astoria, winner of a gift certificate from Trattoria L'incontro Restaurant, poses with Gus Antonopoulos. Irene Kappos of Woodside, shown with Gus Antonopoulos and a representative from the office of Attorney Paul Vallone, won a complimentary will package from Vallone at the seminar.

It is not the most favorite of subjects, but a free seminar on estate planning sponsored by Farenga & Sons Funeral Home last Saturday, made a valiant attempt at breaking down some of the inhibitions shared by many when they contemplate planning ahead for their own or a loved one's funeral. The funeral home, a fixture in Astoria for many years, held a seminar at Riccardo's by the Bridge that attracted some 75 people, according to Gus Antonopoulos, a funeral director and owner of Farenga & Sons. The roster of speakers, in addition to Antonopoulos, included Paul Vallone, Esq., a partner in the law office of Vallone and Vallone and a specialist in estate and elder law planning, Marilyn Jones Gould, president of M.K. Jones & Associates, an internationally recognized speaker on funeral pre-planning, and Nicholas Papamichael, a memorial counselor at St. Michael's Cemetery, East Elmhurst.

The four speakers touched on a wide range of topics in the matter of estate planning, including 10 mistakes to avoid in funeral planning, organizing family records, what to do before going on Medicaid, is cremation right for me, funeral costs and trusts/wills and funerals- a celebration of life. A question-and-answer session followed. A light buffet was served as well. Reservations were suggested, but not required.

Farenga officials said in the survey material they sent out in preparation for the event that while planning for weddings, baby showers and graduations is the norm, many people shy away from thinking about planning for a funeral, especially one for an aging parent. However, the circular pointed out, the best time to plan is when parents are healthy and have time to learn about all the options available and think about what they may really want. Attendees learned that preplanning for a funeral can save thousands of dollars in funeral expenses, that funerals can be held even if the deceased has been cremated and that even if probate cannot be avoided- and in many cases it can- wills can be worded so that one's final wishes are clear and will be followed.

Marilyn Jones Gould stresses the value and benefits of early funeral planning. Paul Vallone addresses the audience at Riccardo's by the Bridge on the importance of early estate/will planning.