Smart Cremations NorthStar Memorial Group Mislleading and pressured sales of pre needed cremations services Rancho Mirage California
Mother died Feb 28, 2016 in assisted living, Albuquerque, NM.
Smart Cremation Contract signed 3/18/2015 for "veterans discount" of $1718.28, Mother residing in assisted living, Palm Desert CA.
Smart Cremations referred to us by Assisted Living Manager, Palm Desert, CA. Adam Ortiz "Advance Planning Manager", cell: 951-691-9197, or office: 888-277-5116, sold policy to me, as POA of Mother's estate.
Reason for purchase: possibile death of Mother while out of town or country. Smart Cremations "would take care of everything, and return remains to us, even if out of state."
Upon my Mother's death, I contacted Smart Cremations,as instructed, and asked if
1) Did they have a facillity in Albuquerque. Answer: No. Did they have a reciprocity agreement with a facilty in NM, "NO".
2) Should I send the bills of cremation services to Smart Cremations, and have the charges made against the contract of $1718.28? Answer was again "NO". Realizing that Mother was far from the "75 mile residence radius" of Palm Desert, CA , I expected an additional charge was probable. But quickly I realized that our contract was pretty much worthless.
Finally, after several calls to Smart Cremations, I was told that of the $1718.28 contract, only $513.00 was for the services, and the difference, $1205.28 was for a wooden box and guest book, sent and received by us, immediately after signing the contract in March.
High Country Hospice, Albuquerque did recommend a fair and compassionate company, Direct Funerals, Ed Hatton manager to provide the needed services. Total costs, including 10 death certificates was less than $1000.00
CONCLUSION:
Avoid, Smart Cremations, aka NorthStar Memorial Group LLC. They are misleading, fraudulent, and not to be trusted.