Advance Funeral Planning-Gina

05/01/2026

Medicaid Spend Down… one of the most misunderstood topics I talk about.

If someone may need long-term care, there are strict limits on assets.

The good news?
Funeral home and burial arrangements are one of the few things that can be set aside properly, even for a simple cremation.

✔️ In Oregon, those funds must be placed into an irrevocable plan
✔️ That means the money is protected and designated for funeral home & burial expenses
✔️ And it can help families meet Medicaid eligibility requirements

What I see too often… families wait until the last minute and feel rushed trying to figure this out.

This can be handled ahead of time, simply and respectfully, without pressure.

It’s not about spending money…
It’s about protecting it for its intended purpose and giving your loved ones clarity.

If you’ve heard the term “Medicaid spend down” but aren’t quite sure what it means, you’re not alone.

I’m always happy to walk you through how it works here in Oregon and what your options are for funeral home & burial services.

💚Gina!
Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium
Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery
Spin Eugene

📍 Lane County | Eugene • Springfield • Cottage Grove

04/29/2026

I’m out at Middlefield Oaks Senior Living in Cottage Grove, bringing awareness to the importance of pre-planning & handing out some yummy Italian chocolates!
🍫🌷Gina
Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium
Spin Eugene
Fir Grove Cemetery
Middlefield Oaks

04/29/2026

I had such a great time at Timber Pointe yesterday!

Thank you, Maya, for the invitation, and for bringing together such a wonderful group. We had a great turnout and even better conversation!

What we talked about surprised a lot of people…

👉 Funeral home and burial expenses are exempt under Medicaid spend down
👉 The information needed for death certificates (vital statistics)
👉 Why Power of Attorney ends at death
👉 And how an Appointment of Person form ensures your wishes are honored
👉 Veterans burial benefits explained

In Oregon, if you haven’t legally appointed someone… the state decides who your next of kin is.

That part always gets people thinking.

These conversations aren’t heavy, they’re actually empowering. And they can save your family a lot of stress later on.

✨ And of course… we had a little fun with a fresh floral giveaway and chocolates!

If you’ve been thinking:
“I should probably get this taken care of…”

Send me a message or comment INFO below.
I’m happy to walk you through everything, no pressure, just clarity.

Or, if you’d like me to come speak at your community or facility, I offer quick, informal 10–15 minute talks with plenty of Q&A (and yes… I bring flowers and chocolates 😊)

💚🍫🌷Gina
(541) 246-0642
Timber Pointe Senior Living
Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery
Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium
Fir Grove Cemetery
Cascade Health
Spin Eugene

Lund Family Companies
Family owned & family operated for over 60 years in Lane County!

04/22/2026

04/22/2026

Today was a special day at Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium & Cemetery.

Our new flagpole was installed, and it’s truly beautiful. Standing tall and proud, it brings a sense of honor, peace, and reflection to the grounds. There’s something powerful about seeing the flag gently moving in the breeze.

This space is meant to bring comfort to families, and this addition feels like a meaningful step in continuing that mission.

If you’re nearby, take a moment to stop by and see it, it really is something special.
🇺🇸
Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery

04/20/2026

Thank you Tara for opening your home to us yesterday. The Wine & Clarity get together was great fun! It was interspersed learning about The 5 Wishes from you, very informative. It was nice to answer questions regarding Vital Statistic information needed for death certificates, Appointment of Person designation and why you might want obe, and of course POA, ends at the time of passing. It’s all about simply being prepared and working with professionals who know the correct answers to your questions, these important forms don’t take hardly anytime at all. Be prepared😊♥️👍🏻

Congratulations to the winners of the beautiful floral and chocolates!
💚Gina
Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery
Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium
Cascade Health
Waterford Grand Assisted Living & Memory Care

04/19/2026

Dee had such a wonderful time yesterday at Evergreen Meadows in Eugene helping bring awareness to the importance of pre-planning. Thank you so much for inviting us, what an incredible group of people and a strong, supportive network in our community!

It was great connecting with:
Maya – Timber Pointe
Mandy – American Mattress
Cynthia – Pet Advocates
Jason – Hearthstone Real Estate
Tess – Hearing Professionals
Susan-Woodside Senior Living
Jessica-The Errand Fairy
Patty-Lets Get It Started

A special thank you again to Evergreen Meadows for organizing such a meaningful event.

And congratulations to Mandy at American Mattress for winning our beautiful floral giveaway from Chase Flowers! 🌸

Grateful to be part of a community that truly cares.

Dee & Gina
Sunset Hills & Smith-Lund-Mills
Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery
Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium
Evergreen Senior Living
Evergreen Senior Living Open House & Senior Living Resource Fair
Evergreen Memory Care
Timber Pointe Senior Living
American Mattress
Patient Pet Advocates
Woodside Senior Living
Hearing Professionals of Oregon
Hearthstone Real Estate
Chase Flowers & Gifts

04/17/2026

A lot of people think planning a funeral and pre-arranging are the same thing.

They’re not.

Planning a funeral happens after someone passes.
It’s emotional, and families are often trying to make important decisions quickly.

Pre-arranging is done ahead of time, when things are calm and you can think clearly.

But here’s something most people don’t realize…

👉 Even a simple cremation still requires the same information.

No matter how simple you want things, your funeral home will still need:
• Your vital statistics (birthplace, parents’ names, SSN, etc.)
• Legal next of kin (Oregon has a specific order)
• Marriage/divorce history
• Military discharge papers (if applicable)

When this information isn’t ready, that’s when families feel overwhelmed.

We see it every day, people want to make things easier for their loved ones… they just don’t know where to start.

Pre-arranging is about your wishes.
Getting your paperwork together is about making things easier for your family.

Both matter ❤️

If you’ve been thinking, “I should probably get this figured out…”
I’m happy to help walk you through it. No pressure, just information.

💚Gina
(541) 246-0642
Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium

04/16/2026

Lu & Baci~NUGGLES Time ♥️♥️♥️🐾🐾🐾

04/11/2026

What is a Niche?

Most people have heard the word… but aren’t quite sure what it means.

A niche is a small, dedicated space in a memorial wall (called a columbarium) where a loved one’s urn is placed after cremation.

Think of it as:
✔️ A permanent place to visit
✔️ Above-ground (no burial required)
✔️ Beautifully personalized with names, dates, and sometimes photos or emblems

For many families, it feels like the perfect middle ground~
•Simple, but still meaningful
•Low maintenance, but still a place to gather

I help families every day who say,
“I didn’t realize we had this option…”

If you’ve been wondering what might feel right for you or your family, I’m always happy to walk you through it, no pressure, just information.

📍 Serving Cottage Grove, Creswell, Drain & surrounding communities
📍 Serving Eugene, Springfield, Lane County &
Surrounding communities
— Gina, Licensed Pre-Need Planner

💚Gina
(541) 246-0642
Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel & Crematorium
Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery

04/10/2026

I see this all the time…

People tell me,
“I really need to get this taken care of.”
“I don’t want my kids dealing with this someday.”

And they mean it.

But then time goes by… and it keeps getting put off.

Here’s something most people don’t realize:

👉 Over half of folks over 70 want to pre-plan… but only about 1 in 5 actually do.

That’s a big gap.

And it’s usually not because people don’t care, it’s just because they don’t know where to start.

That’s what I’m here for.

I help walk people through it step by step, in a way that’s simple and not overwhelming.

And almost every time, I hear:
“That wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be.”

There’s a lot of peace in having it handled.

If it’s been on your mind, I’m always here to help, no pressure, just a conversation.
💚Gina