August 2024 – The Widow Empowerment Project

End of life planning is a sensitive (and often uncomfortable) topic that is easy to avoid, yet it stands as one of the most profound gifts you can give to your loved ones.

In this episode, Andy Dziedzic, MBA, is joined by co-host Megan LeBarron, Director of Financial Planning at Prepared Retirement Institute. Together they sit down with Mike McDonald, a licensed funeral director at Scanlin-McDonald Funeral Home with 25 years of experience, to discuss the significance of funeral pre-planning to alleviate the emotional and financial stress on families during their most vulnerable moments.

Mike, who has been dedicated to assisting families since the age of 14, sheds light on the critical services provided by funeral homes, including grief support, tribute planning, and handling essential legal paperwork like death certificates. He emphasizes the value of pre-planning your funeral—referred to as “pre-need” planning—as an integral part of your broader financial plan, recommending that individuals start considering these decisions in their mid-to-late 50s.

In this insightful conversation, Andy, Megan, and Mike explore:

The critical role of licensed funeral directors in supporting families and honoring final wishes
The importance of “pre-need” planning and options to pre-pay funeral expenses, reducing the emotional and financial burden on surviving loved ones
Approaching funeral planning as a vital component of estate planning
Tips for selecting the right funeral director and creating an accessible funeral plan document
Key differences between “pre-need” and “at-need” funeral services, and how to prepare for each
And much more!

Resources:

Get in Touch with the Widow Empowerment Project

Connect with Michael McDonald:

About Our Guest:

Mike McDonald is a licensed funeral director with a rich history in the funeral services industry. As a trusted professional at Scanlin-McDonald Funeral Home in Chalfont, PA, Mike has dedicated his career to easing the burden on grieving families by guiding them through the complexities of funeral planning and honoring their loved ones’ final wishes. His deep understanding of the funeral process, combined with his commitment to ethical standards and compassionate service, makes him an invaluable resource for those looking to plan ahead with care and consideration.

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What if your deepest pain could be transformed into your life’s greatest purpose?

Losing a life partner is a profound and disorienting experience that can leave one grappling with feelings of intense anger and sadness. Those emotions can create a paralysis that prevents us from moving forward or be the catalyst that forces us to reevaluate our entire lives.

In this episode of the Widow Empowerment Project, host Andy Dziedzic welcomes Stephany Richards – a widow who found healing through volunteer service. After losing her husband at age 24, Stephany made the decision to channel her anger and sadness into action by participating in an expedition to Alaska. This experience helped her connect with other members of the widowed community and became a turning point when she realized that beauty and loss could coexist together. This newfound clarity led her to engage with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), a service-driven nonprofit focused on community improvement.

Through therapy and her volunteer work with Travis Manion Foundation, Stephany found a way to turn her grief into meaningful action. Her journey illustrates how serving others can transform pain into a powerful source of purpose and connection.

Andy and Stephany discuss:

The emotional aftermath of losing a spouse and its impact on one’s life and identity
Stephany’s personal journey from profound grief and anger to finding solace in community and service
How channeling anger and loss into community involvement aids in emotional recovery
The role of the Travis Manion Foundation in fostering healing through volunteer work
The foundation’s four major initiatives – Operation Legacy projects that support various national observances and community needs
Practical advice on finding a support system and the importance of taking control of one’s healing journey

Resources: