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Before
making funeral arrangements, and before
you commit to a particular type of funeral or specific features,
consider these suggestions—they will help you stop and think
about what really would be the best way to remember the
deceased, and about how you can do the best thing for the
best price.
1.
When making funeral arrangements, apply the shopping techniques
you use for other major purchases. You must be just as savvy
when making funeral arrangements as you are when buying
a car or a home. The funeral industry is just that—an industry.
With increased life expectancies and more options being
considered by the public for final disposition of loved
ones, it’s an industry that is always looking for new ways
to generate revenues.
2.
Plan ahead as much as possible when making funeral arrangements.
Even if the death was sudden, resist the urge to get things
taken care of right now. One day can make a huge difference
in your choices—and your costs. If needed, arrange to have
the body refrigerated in order to make some time to plan
and gather information. If you know that you will be losing
a loved one in a short time, start now to research your
options.
3.
Consider dispensing with a funeral home altogether and handling
all of the funeral arrangements yourself. A funeral director
is required by law in only a few states; elsewhere you do
not need to hire a mortuary to plan and conduct a funeral.
You may encounter some resistance to the idea by public
and private entities (e.g., hospitals or crematories), but
you are allowed to act as your own funeral director unless
law stipulates otherwise.
4. Know
your rights. In addition to the Federal Trade Commision’s
Funeral Rule, there are laws regarding funerals and burials
that vary from state to state. Take a little time to find
out which goods or services the law requires you to purchase
and which are optional.
5.
When making funeral arrangements, spread the work of your
funeral
planning if you can. Enlist other family members or
close friends to help with parts of the planning. One person
can be researching regulatory requirements while another
calls funeral homes and still another interfaces with the
cemetery. This can be therapeutic for everybody (they are
allowed to participate in the final farewell in a meaningful
way) as well as a major help for you.
6. If
you will be using a funeral home, shop around. Compare prices
from at least two firms. You can do this by phone: funeral
directors are required by federal law to provide prices
when asked to do so by telephone.
7.
Make sure you receive price lists when you are supposed
to. The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give you
written price lists for products and services when making
funeral arrangements...before you make any choices.
8. Consider
supplying your own casket or urn rather than purchasing
one from the mortuary. Though you may be discouraged to
do so, you can buy your casket or urn from someone other
than your funeral home. This can save you quite a bit of
money.
9.
Work directly with third parties as much as possible. Resist
the temptation to allow the funeral home to make all of
the funeral arrangements. This service will cost extra—possibly
quite a bit extra. Coordinate with florists, musicians,
limousine services, the cemetery, and other adjunct service
providers yourself.
10.
Resist sales pressure to buy goods and services you don't
really want or need. Remember that funeral homes are businesses,
and funeral directors are interested in bringing in revenue.
Beware of any sign of pressure or attempts at manipulation
to get you to buy additional or higher-priced goods or services.
11.
Avoid emotional overspending. It's not necessary to have
the fanciest casket or the most elaborate funeral to properly
honor a loved one. In fact, it may be just the opposite
of how the deceased would prefer to be remembered.
12.
When setting up funeral arrangements, take the time to get
a total amount for the funeral in ink, and sign the contract,
even if you were not asked to do so. That way, there is
no question about which contract is yours and how much you
will owe — before the funeral.
13.
Consider alternative ways of remembering the deceased. A
traditional funeral may not be the best way for you to honor
their memory, and it will certainly be the most expensive
option at your disposal. Direct interment, a memorial service,
and/or donation to a favorite cause may be more in keeping
with your style and values, and that of the deceased.
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