Robert McFarland realized his passion for service early in life, becoming a high school firefighter in New York before starting a career in sales.
He liked meeting and interacting with different people each day, and continued sales after moving to North Carolina. However, he wanted to do something more meaningful with his life.
“I needed to be a part of something the world couldn’t do without,” he said.
When his wife was working as the paramedical examiner, she crossed paths with Robert Nunnaley – owner of PinesFunerals. She mentioned to Nunnaley that her husband had considered joining the funeral industry in previous years.
“A close family friend in New York was a third generation funeral home owner,” McFarland said. “He was the first person to make me think it wasn’t weird to be in that type of environment.”
He was able to get in touch with Nunnaley a few weeks later and has now been working as the Preneed and Outreach Director at PinesFunerals for the past year-and-a-half.
PinesFunerals currently offers more in the Preneed area than most funeral homes. With McFarland being a licensed life insurance agent, he is able to find the best options and plans from a multitude of companies and tailor each plan to the individual client.
“We have something for everybody, no matter the health situation, or their financial situation” he said. “Our families come first at Pines because I work for the funeral home and not an outside agency which is typical of the industry.”
With McFarland on staff, Preneed planning can be done at any time for individuals and loved ones. Having a background in insurance, McFarland can find the best insurance plan coverage for clients as well as explain prepayment options.
Appointments can be made at the office or for in-home consultations. Those who have had loved ones pass with a preplanned funeral in place are more inclined to preplan themselves because they have realized the impact of it.
“The first initial contact is the hardest thing you’ll ever have to do,” he said. “One of the things we try to understand is why they chose to preplan at that particular me and what their needs are.”
Anywhere between 75-125 things need to occur within the first 36 hours of someone passing before burial or cremation. Having a set plan in place ensures that all decisions are taken care of so that families and loved ones don’t have to worry during their me of loss.
Sensitivity is maintained throughout the planning process. One large concern for clients is the monetary aspect. Less than half of those McFarland’s meets with have life insurance, and a percentage of those who have life insurance have a plan that doesn’t effectively meet their needs.
“Let’s look at it and make sure it’s doing what you need it to do,” he said. “I make sure you know exactly what you have and that it does what you intend for it to do.”
For those without life insurance, McFarland can customize a program to meet monetary needs. McFarland is currently working to get his Funeral Directors license and hopes to have it by 2021.
“Knowing what families are going through and helping them go through it is what keeps life in perspective,” he said. “The best thing is just knowing that I’m helping these families.”
To schedule an appointment with McFarland or PinesFunerals, visit PinesFunerals.com. To reach McFarland, call (631) 383-9334 or email RJ@PinesFunerals.com. Office located at 149 Woodlawn St. West End, Ste. A in West End.
