Earlier this
week, I wrote a story about Reichel Funeral Home giving a
$10,000 funeral package to the winner of an essay contest. The winner was
chosen on Tuesday, August 20th and in a touching turn of
events, the man who won the contest, actually needs this prize
package. The winner, Steve Paul, was diagnosed a few months ago with
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and is relieved to know
that all his upcoming funeral expenses will be provided for.
The funeral
prize package donated by Reichel Funeral Home and
presented by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs includes
a memorial funeral service, headstone, casket, and flowers, valued at around
$10,000.
The Winner
Actually Needed the Funeral Prize.
Being
diagnosed with a terminal disease that often progresses quickly, it’s
understandable that Steve Paul would be worried about his final expenses.
Although many would perceive winning this prize as morbid, for 64-year-old
Steve Paul, the funeral giveaway valued at $10,000 is a blessing.
Funeral Costs Covered = Peace of Mind
“For a
person who is not looking at their own mortality, yes it would be morbid. For a
person who is trying to find some sort of peace and some sort of direction
knowing what lies ahead, it is very comforting,” Paul said. His daughter
thought that winning this prize was bittersweet.
“It’s shaken
my world; it has shaken the rest of my family’s world. This is one less thing
that we have to worry about,” Robyn Paul said. For whatever time he has left,
Paul now has the peace of mind knowing that he has been relieved of the burden
of leaving his family to pay for his funeral.
When
the IronPigs and Kevin Reichel of Reichel
Funeral Home announced that Steve Paul was the recipient of the free
funeral on the field Tuesday night, he was greeted with a standing ovation from
the loyal fans. Bittersweet, indeed.
What Funeral Resources Will
You Need?
Steve Paul
and others diagnosed with a terminal illness may have an idea of when the end
will come, but the truth is that we are all looking at our own
mortality. And in all probability, you won’t win a free funeral at a
promotional event.
Even if you
choose not to think about it, death is still inevitable. Do you have all your
funeral resources planned out?
Don’t wait
to have that important discussion with your loved ones about what kind of
service you want. Share your beliefs regarding organ donations. Make sure that
you have enough life insurance. Write a document detailing your
final wishes. Don’t leave others to guess. The right time to make those
decisions is now.
Source: Nancy Burban
Congratulations Steve, great to see you smile.
ReplyDeletePeople will help in time of need.
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