Hartford Adds Funeral Planning Services to Insurance Offering

May 18, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is making funeral planning benefits available to workers at no additional cost through employers who add group life insurance coverage to their employee benefits offerings.

Called “Life Conversations from The Hartford,” the new service is offered in conjunction with Everest Funeral, according to a press release. Through Everest, clients can plan for funerals years in advance or can make arrangements at their time of need.   The service can also negotiate funeral costs on behalf of the bereaved, and save them between $1,250 and $5,500 per funeral, based on average savings experienced by consumers using Everest services.

Life Conversations features a comprehensive Web site with tools, information and services employees need to plan important conversations with their families about end-of-life issues, the announcement said. The site is backed by a team of advisers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions and connect consumers to appropriate resources.

Employers can also opt to extend Everest services to the parents and step-parents of employees.

Life Conversations also features the EstateGuidance program, which helps consumers create a legally binding will quickly and conveniently online, with assistance available from licensed attorneys. The service is administered by ComPsych.

Other legal services are also available, including creation of living wills and trusts, guidance about divorce proceedings, change of names and others.

More information is at www.thehartford.com .

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