Whitaker Funeral Home extends a huge THANK YOU to the volunteers from the community who made this year's Back-to-School Supplies Radio-Thon a smashing success!  Thanks too, to Radio Station WKDK who sponsored the event to raise money to purchase school supplies for those in need.  The Radio-Thon began at 6:30 am Thursday, August 4th and continued right through the Coffee Hour at 9 am.  "We were very happy to be involved and witness the generosity of the community to make this year's Radio-

Thon so successful," said Erin Whitaker.

      The Back to School Supplies Radio-Thon was dedicated to the memory of Donny Layton, whose deep commitment to helping school children inspired so many others.  "Whenever there was an opportunity to help children, Donny Layton stepped up and asked what could he do - and he encouraged others to do the same," said volunteer Erin Whitaker.  Layton served as fundraising chair for several years, and his recent death is a tremendous loss.  "He continues to be an inspiration to everyone who knew him.  He was a faith-filled man who loved this community and loved doing for others," said Pat Caldwell, project chair.

      Whitaker Funeral Home contributed to the campaign and donated radio advertising to promote the Radio-Thon this year.  The Taylor Foundation has pledged to match the contributions raised up to $1,000.  "We want to express our deepest appreciation to Whitaker Funeral Home and the Taylor Foundation for their incredibly generous gifts, which will allow us to do more for students who are in the greatest need," added Caldwell.

      Since 1977, our community has been supporting the Newberry County School Supplies Drive.  It is organized by volunteers and its focus is to ensure all children in need have basic school supplies.  Its only funding source is donations from local churches, businesses, service groups, and individuals.  Last year, 800 packets were distributed.  They include various supplies, depending on grade level:  notebook paper, crayons, pencils, pens, erasers, scissors, glue sticks, composition notebooks, highlighters, and pocket folders.

       We are happy to announce that this year, the Drive raised over $2300 surpassing the 2011 goal.  The supplies will be handed out on August 20th from 9 am to noon at the Newberry Elementary School to those children who qualify.  Parents and/or guardians must bring proof of school-age children, such as a birth certificate, report card, DSS/Medicaid card or letter from the school.  Please call 803-276-5328 for more information.  In addition, schools will be provided with packets to be distributed on an as needed basis.  

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Funeral Service as a Career

  The Whitakers encourage people who are curious to learn about funeral service as a profession to call them with questions.  Erin says, "For the right person, this is a rewarding and very fulfilling way to help families in our community."

      In South Carolina, licensure can be in the form of Funeral Director, Embalmer, or a dual-license.  Careers in the funeral industry are expected to increase by 12% by the year 2016.  The Funeral Service Education program at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood SC prepares students for each of these career avenues.  In its two-year Associates Degree program, students learn and apply accounting, counseling, finance, business, and embalming concepts.  Piedmont Technical College's Funeral Service Education program is the only one of its kind in South Carolina and one of only 56 schools nationally.

     Piedmont Technical College is located in Greenwood SC.  Contact David Martin, Program Coordinator of Funeral Service Education at 864-941-8324 or visit the college Website at http://www.ptc.edu/academics/areas-of-study/funeral-service.

21st Annual Candlelight Serviceof Remembrance Planned for Sunday, November 6th

 Frequently Asked Questions   

Can you explain the difference between Pre-planning, Pre-arranging, and Pre-paying a funeral?

We are often asked about the three Pre's:  The following should clarify the differences.   

     Pre-planning is the opportunity to record information that will be helpful to your family and also necessary for your family following your death.  It is taking a look at your documents such as wills and advance directives to ensure that they are in order; taking stock of your estate and identifying all of your assets so that family will be able to determine your assets at your death; making a list and identifying location of important documents such as:

      It can also be a time when you put in writing some specifics regarding your wishes and desires for your funeral service.  Recording this type of information is a valuable resource for your family.  

     Pre-arranging takes pre-planning to the next level. With pre-arranging, you record your funeral service information with your Funeral Home of choice and you tell your family that it is recorded with the Funeral Home.  When you pre-arrange, you should visit the funeral home, sit with a funeral director, ask lots of questions, find out about the services that are provided, understand options that are available with any services you desire and begin the process of making decision about what type of services will be in accord with your values and will have meaning for you and your family.  Many believe that a family's participation in making final funeral service arrangements for a loved one is an important part of the grieving process.  It will be emotional but the release of emotions is a good thing.  With this in mind, we suggest that you leave some options to your loved ones.  

     Pre-paying is available for those who want to take advantage of this option.  There are a number of vehicles for financially taking care of your funeral expenses prior to death including prepaid contracts set up with a funeral home.  Pre-paying may be especially beneficial with qualifying for Medicaid or SSI benefits.  If you feel that pre-paying is important for you, learn about all available options and choose the method that best suits your needs. 

 

     In South Carolina, there are laws that govern pre-paid contracts.  Be certain that the funeral home is licensed and that the proposed contract is approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs.       

     Preneed funds are held in either a federally insured financial institution's trust account or in a preneed life insurance policy approved by the SC Board of Funeral Service and the SC Department of Insurance.