The Gift of Pre-Planning: Protecting Your Family’s Peace

Hi friends, I’m Linda Galindo. Today we’re talking about one of the greatest gifts you can give your family: pre-planning.

We’ll break down the difference between pre-need and at-need, how to avoid chaos and conflict, what “next of kin” really means, why advanced directives and power of attorney matter, and how a simple travel plan can bring a loved one home from anywhere in the world.

I’m joined by:
Jesse Ruiz – Funeral Director & Embalmer, Personal Funeral Planning • 909-762-4027
Miguel Ángel Briseño – Pre-Need Counselor • 951-756-4129

This is a bilingual / Spanglish conversation made for our community — con amor, claridad y mucha información práctica.

If this episode helped you, subscribe, share it with someone you love, and start the conversation today.

To talk about your own plan, call 949-SMART-30
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Instagram: @call_smart_life

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: What is Smart Life?
00:12 Spanglish format (English + Español)
00:20 Meet Jesse Ruiz (30 years in the industry)
00:28 Notable cases & experience
01:01 Meet Miguel Ángel Briseño (Pre-Need Counselor)
01:04 Why bilingual matters for our comunidad
02:16 Why this work matters: service & gratitude
02:40 Roles: pre-planning vs. at-need support
03:32 Reducing stress for families
04:28 “Taboo” topic: why we avoid talking about death
04:54 Pre-need vs. at-need (night and day)
05:20 Chaos vs. clarity when nothing is planned
06:24 Español: beneficios de pre-planificar
08:00 Inflation & locking today’s prices
08:37 At-need stress: car washes & GoFundMe
09:33 Payments & legal timing (48 hours prior)
10:22 Pre-planning as a gift of love
12:03 Avoiding conflict: details & next of kin
14:00 Next-of-kin, advanced directives & POA
16:06 Even with pre-planning, next-of-kin signs
16:31 Two POAs: financial & healthcare
20:00 Minors & who decides
23:17 Why this matters for every family
24:07 Religious preferences & service choices
24:31 Real cost & simple payment options
26:46 Pre-need vs. life insurance
27:59 Linda’s story: why I chose both
29:23 Adding an annuity for long-term security
33:18 Recap in Español
34:24 Travel Plan (worldwide repatriation)
36:15 $450 travel plan and what it covers
38:49 Final thoughts & invitation
39:06 Closing

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Produced / Edited / Distributed by: ‪@VLIZ_Media‬

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