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By : SHOBA MANO
Source : the star online
NV Multi Corporation Berhad (NVM) has spent the past 17 years taking the stigma out of death, so it is no surprise that they offer "pre-need" funeral services packages (FSP). Pre-need FSPs is a concept where a burial plot is purchased during a person's lifetime.
"Everyone's life will end at some point. So why pretend death will not come calling one day? A wise man prepares for this in advance and saves his family from disputing a deceased's wishes on his last rites ceremony," said Syuki Lee Sook Yee, NVM corporate communication executive.
To make the whole idea more acceptable, NVM has removed the words "cemetery" and "graveyard" from their corporate vocabulary. In place of these, their beautifully landscaped burial grounds are called "memorial parks".
"The Chinese believe that after you buy a burial plot, all the bad luck will be transferred to it, and the god of health will not bother that person," said Au Kok Huei, NVM general manager of corporate communications.
"Even a plot is chosen (by the Chinese) for having the best feng shui, and so we provide free feng shui services from the experts," he said.
Syuki pointed out that Chinese filial piety
demands a good sending-off for the parents when they die,
and later on visits to and maintenance of their graves. NVM
packages their pre-need FSPs in a unique way -by having a
treasure box that preserves the family roots for future generations
to behold and be proud of.
This treasure box contains items such as a genealogy record book, compendium on surnames, family album, jade seal and a crystal. Each box is priced at RM6,000 and includes discount vouchers on FSPs and rebates on burial plots.
"Actually, 90% of NVM's RM15mil monthly sales is from pre-need FSPs.
"With this, we have successfully abolished the stigma over death and effectively educated the public on planning for death, so that their loved ones will not be burdened with expenses and making decisions they are unsure of," said Au.
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