The Casketman Cometh: You Have a Choice About the Hereafter

Pastor Ricardo Escobar has launched a new business to offer savings and assistance when you are faced with burying a loved one. Burial costs can be reduced by purchasing your casket through The CasketMan. An innovative approach to ministering to those who mourn the loss of a loved one.

Houston, Texas June 15, 2004 -- It may be difficult to turn grief to joy, or to minimize your suffering when a loved one dies, but Pastor Ricardo Escobar wants to provide joy to your wallet when you have to buy a casket for your loved one. Most people wouldnt think about shopping around when its time to buy a casket. Choosing a casket is one of lifes unfortunate necessities which usually becomes a task on a long list when making arrangements for the burial of a loved one. Through his new business venture, The Casketman, Escobar is answering his call to serve God by working with local churches, hospices and retirement communities to ensure that their members and residents know they can purchase caskets at a savings of $500.00 to $1900.00 compared with typical prices offered by the funeral services industry.

Escobar estimates that only 1% of the population is aware that they have an option when it comes to purchasing a casket. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) informs consumers that, you have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want and the funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere. Those who are aware of the option, dont usually know who to contact. Escobar hopes The Casketman will be the first name people think of when its time to make arrangements for their loves ones.

Its as easy as just telling the funeral home or cemetery that you want to purchase a casket from an independent source, Escobar says, you just give the name and telephone number to the funeral or cemetery representative and they make arrangements. It doesnt impede the process or require delaying the scheduling of the ceremony in any way. The vision Escobar has for this venture is two-fold: to help people avoid going into debt as a result of high funeral costs and to thereby ease the stress and pain associated with paying for a funeral. Escobar states that, Although death can be a painful and hopeless situation, my goal is to help others experience victory and life at the point of death. Its almost inevitable that anyone who experiences the death of a loved one begins to consider their own eternity. Thats the real choice that Escobar hopes he can have an impact on when hes concluded a typical funeral transaction.

This is a relatively new business opportunity because many states are still in the process of revising their regulations for the funeral services industry. The Casketman officially opened for business in May and has already made several sales just through word-of-mouth marketing. Escobar has set up the business as a warehouse direct operation with inventory available from either their east-side or west-side locations. His marketing through the internet has resulted in several recent sales and inquiries for shipments to New York and North Carolina.

Escobars goal is to expand the operation to supply independent funeral providers with inventory. Reliable suppliers in Mexico and China provide caskets of a comparable quality at a fraction of the cost of caskets made in the U.S.. As the business grows, Escobar plans to offer a full range of burial products and services, including cremation urns, concrete burial vaults, pastoral consultation and graveside services.

Escobar is well qualified to succeed in this venture. He is a missionary pastor from Honduras ordained for over 10 years, has served on the staff of Houstons Second Baptist Church, holds a BA in Business Administration from Ouachita Baptist University and is pursuing his Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary.

REFERENCE:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/rulemaking/funeral/16cfr453.pdf
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/funeral.htm#part453

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Wade Magruder, Media Relations
866-425-4219

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