By Angela Joy
Have you had the pleasure of learning about the 24-Hour Association in San Miguel de Allende? It is truly a remarkable organization that shows its love and care by providing a prepaid plan for cremation and burial services to its members. What makes it even more special is that it’s a nonprofit that’s fully registered as a Mexican Association Civil, ensuring that its services comply with all Mexican laws.
When a member passes away, they can find comfort in knowing that Executive Secretary, Gina Giampaoli, will be there to help carry out their final wishes as outlined in their Membership Application. The Association offers two basic services: cremation and burial. All services that include the Panteon will receive perpetual care.
The 24-Hour Association will take care of registering the death and obtain the Mexican death certificate without any involvement from the deceased’s family. For U.S. citizens, the Association also reports the death to the U.S. consulate in San Miguel. This means that those who want to spare their loved ones from the burden of navigating the bureaucracy during this emotional time can rest easy knowing that the 24-Hour Association has them covered.
The Association was founded in 1965 by Admiral Alex Charlton, USN (retired) to address the Mexican law requiring burial within 24 hours of death. They formed a committee of year-round residents who would act according to the wishes of the deceased and deposited funds for the required services. By 1973, the Association was granted its own plot of approximately 1000 square meters of land in the cemetery and paid for certain improvements including a brick wall encompassing the entire expansion.
The Association has come a long way since then with a digital database, an emergency cell phone, and a website to help serve its members and the community better. The cemetery is open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm and is a peaceful oasis for both Mexican and foreign visitors.
San Miguel Solutions is committed to supporting local NGOs to make a positive impact in the community. These include ProMusica, Lucky Dogs ClubHouse, Carmen Delzell and her community work, and the Three Kings Toy Drive run by Les Pearson, among others. We assist with fundraising, marketing, and outreach efforts to help them achieve their goals. If you have an NGO and could use help with your marketing and fundraising, contact Angela at angela@sanmiguelsolutions.mx.
We are proud to be associated with the 24-Hour Association (24 Horas de San Miguel de Allende, A.C), an outstanding organization that offers compassionate and caring services to its members and their families. We believe in their mission and are honored to help them provide peace of mind during difficult times.If you’re interested in becoming a member of the 24-Hour Association, you can contact them by phone at 415 121 0010 or by email at 24hourassociation@gmail.com. You can also visit their website and download the application form https://www.24assoc.com/
