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Funerals: A Consumer Guide When a loved one
dies, grieving family members and friends
often are confronted with dozens of decisions
about the funeral - all of which must be
made quickly and often under great emotional
duress. What kind of funeral should it be?
What funeral provider should you use? Should
you bury or cremate the body, or donate
it to science? What are you legally required
to buy? What other arrangements should you
plan? And, as callous as it may sound, how
much is it all going to cost? Each year, Americans grapple
with these and many other questions as they
spend billions of dollars arranging more
than 2 million funerals for family members
and friends. The increasing trend toward
pre-need planning - when people make funeral
arrangements in advance - suggests that
many consumers want to compare prices and
services so that ultimately, the funeral
reflects a wise and well-informed purchasing
decision, as well as a meaningful one. A Consumer Product Funerals rank among the
most expensive purchases many consumers
will ever make. A traditional funeral, including
a casket and vault, costs about $6,000,
although "extras" like flowers,
obituary notices, acknowledgment cards or
limousines can add thousands of dollars
to the bottom line. Many funerals run well
over $10,000. Yet even if you're the
kind of person who might haggle with a dozen
dealers to get the best price on a new car,
you're likely to feel uncomfortable comparing
prices or negotiating over the details and
cost of a funeral, pre-need or at need.
Compounding this discomfort is the fact
that some people "overspend" on
a funeral or burial because they think of
it as a reflection of their feelings for
the deceased. Pre-Need To help relieve their
families of some of these decisions, an
increasing number of people are planning
their own funerals, designating their funeral
preferences, and sometimes even paying for
them in advance. They see funeral planning
as an extension of will and estate planning.
Planning You can make arrangements
directly with a funeral establishment or
through a funeral planning or memorial society
- a nonprofit organization that provides
information about funerals and disposition
but doesn't offer funeral services. If you
choose to contact such a group, recognize
that while some funeral homes may include
the word "society" in their names,
they are not nonprofit organizations. One other important consideration
when planning a funeral pre-need is where
the remains will be buried, entombed or
scattered. In the short time between the
death and burial of a loved one, many family
members find themselves rushing to buy a
cemetery plot or grave - often without careful
thought or a personal visit to the site.
That's why it's in the family's best interest
to buy cemetery plots before you need them.
You may wish to make decisions
about your arrangements in advance, but
not pay for them in advance. Keep in mind
that over time, prices may go up and businesses
may close or change ownership. However,
in some areas with increased competition,
prices may go down over time. It's a good
idea to review and revise your decisions
every few years, and to make sure your family
is aware of your wishes. Put your preferences in
writing, give copies to family members and
your attorney, and keep a copy in a handy
place. Don't designate your preferences
in your will, because a will often is not
found or read until after the funeral. And
avoid putting the only copy of your preferences
in a safe deposit box. That's because your
family may have to make arrangements on
a weekend or holiday, before the box can
be opened. Prepaying If you're thinking about
prepaying for funeral goods and services,
it's important to consider these issues
before putting down any money: Be sure to tell your family
about the plans you've made; let them know
where the documents are filed. If your family
isn't aware that you've made plans, your
wishes may not be carried out. And if family
members don't know that you've prepaid the
funeral costs, they could end up paying
for the same arrangements. You may wish
to consult an attorney on the best way to
ensure that your wishes are followed. The Funeral Rule Most funeral providers
are professionals who strive to serve their
clients' needs and best interests. But some
aren't. They may take advantage of their
clients through inflated prices, overcharges,
double charges or unnecessary services.
Fortunately, there's a federal law that
makes it easier for you to choose only those
goods and services you want or need and
to pay only for those you select, whether
you are making arrangements pre-need or
at need. The Funeral Rule, enforced
by the Federal Trade Commission, requires
funeral directors to give you itemized prices
in person and, if you ask, over the phone.
The Rule also requires funeral directors
to give you other information about their
goods and services. For example, if you
ask about funeral arrangements in person,
the funeral home must give you a written
price list to keep that shows the goods
and services the home offers. If you want
to buy a casket or outer burial container,
the funeral provider must show you descriptions
of the available selections and the prices
before actually showing you the caskets. According to the
Funeral Rule: What Kind of Funeral
Do You Want? Every family is different,
and not everyone wants the same type of
funeral. Funeral practices are influenced
by religious and cultural traditions, costs
and personal preferences. These factors
help determine whether the funeral will
be elaborate or simple, public or private,
religious or secular, and where it will
be held. They also influence whether the
body will be present at the funeral, if
there will be a viewing or visitation, and
if so, whether the casket will be open or
closed, and whether the remains will be
buried or cremated. Among the choices you'll
need to make are whether you want one of
these basic types of funerals, or something
in between. "Traditional,"
full-service funeral It is generally the most
expensive type of funeral. In addition to
the funeral home's basic services fee, costs
often include embalming and dressing the
body; rental of the funeral home for the
viewing or service; and use of vehicles
to transport the family if they don't use
their own. The costs of a casket, cemetery
plot or crypt and other funeral goods and
services also must be factored in. Direct burial
Direct cremation
Funeral providers who
offer direct cremations also must offer
to provide an alternative container that
can be used in place of a casket. Choosing a Funeral
Provider Many people don't realize
that they are not legally required to use
a funeral home to plan and conduct a funeral.
However, because they have little experience
with the many details and legal requirements
involved and may be emotionally distraught
when it's time to make the plans, many people
find the services of a professional funeral
home to be a comfort. Consumers often select
a funeral home or cemetery because it's
close to home, has served the family in
the past, or has been recommended by someone
they trust. But people who limit their search
to just one funeral home may risk paying
more than necessary for the funeral or narrowing
their choice of goods and services. Comparison shopping need
not be difficult, especially if it's done
before the need for a funeral arises. If
you visit a funeral home in person, the
funeral provider is required by law to give
you a general price list itemizing the cost
of the items and services the home offers.
If the general price list does not include
specific prices of caskets or outer burial
containers, the law requires the funeral
director to show you the price lists for
those items before showing you the items.
Sometimes it's more convenient
and less stressful to "price shop"
funeral homes by telephone. The Funeral
Rule requires funeral directors to provide
price information over the phone to any
caller who asks for it. In addition, many
funeral homes are happy to mail you their
price lists, although that is not required
by law. When comparing prices,
be sure to consider the total cost of all
the items together, in addition to the costs
of single items. Every funeral home should
have price lists that include all the items
essential for the different types of arrangements
it offers. Many funeral homes offer package
funerals that may cost less than purchasing
individual items or services. Offering package
funerals is permitted by law, as long as
an itemized price list also is provided.
But only by using the price lists can you
accurately compare total costs. In addition, there's a
growing trend toward consolidation in the
funeral home industry, and many neighborhood
funeral homes are thought to be locally
owned when in fact, they're owned by a national
corporation. If this issue is important
to you, you may want to ask if the funeral
home is locally owned. Funeral Costs Funeral costs
include: 1. Basic services
fee for the funeral director and staff The Funeral Rule allows
funeral providers to charge a basic services
fee that customers cannot decline to pay.
The basic services fee includes services
that are common to all funerals, regardless
of the specific arrangement. These include
funeral planning, securing the necessary
permits and copies of death certificates,
preparing the notices, sheltering the remains,
and coordinating the arrangements with the
cemetery, crematory or other third parties.
The fee does not include charges for optional
services or merchandise. 2. Charges for other
services and merchandise These are costs for optional
goods and services such as transporting
the remains; embalming and other preparation;
use of the funeral home for the viewing,
ceremony or memorial service; use of equipment
and staff for a graveside service; use of
a hearse or limousine; a casket, outer burial
container or alternate container; and cremation
or interment. 3. Cash advances These are fees charged
by the funeral home for goods and services
it buys from outside vendors on your behalf,
including flowers, obituary notices, pallbearers,
officiating clergy, and organists and soloists.
Some funeral providers charge you their
cost for the items they buy on your behalf.
Others add a service fee to their cost.
The Funeral Rule requires those who charge
an extra fee to disclose that fact in writing,
although it doesn't require them to specify
the amount of their markup. The Rule also
requires funeral providers to tell you if
there are refunds, discounts or rebates
from the supplier on any cash advance item.
Calculating the Actual
Cost The funeral provider must
give you an itemized statement of the total
cost of the funeral goods and services you
have selected when you are making the arrangements.
If the funeral provider doesn't know the
cost of the cash advance items at the time,
he or she is required to give you a written
"good faith estimate." This statement
also must disclose any legal, cemetery or
crematory requirements that you purchase
any specific funeral goods or services.
The Funeral Rule does
not require any specific format for this
information. Funeral providers may include
it in any document they give you at the
end of your discussion about funeral arrangements.
Services and Products
Embalming Caskets When you visit a funeral
home or showroom to shop for a casket, the
Funeral Rule requires the funeral director
to show you a list of caskets the company
sells, with descriptions and prices, before
showing you the caskets. Industry studies
show that the average casket shopper buys
one of the first three models shown, generally
the middle-priced of the three. So it's in the seller's
best interest to start out by showing you
higher-end models. If you haven't seen some
of the lower-priced models on the price
list, ask to see them - but don't be surprised
if they're not prominently displayed, or
not on display at all. Traditionally, caskets
have been sold only by funeral homes. But
with increasing frequency, showrooms and
websites operated by "third-party"
dealers are selling caskets. You can buy
a casket from one of these dealers and have
it shipped directly to the funeral home.
The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes
to agree to use a casket you bought elsewhere,
and doesn't allow them to charge you a fee
for using it. No matter where or when
you're buying a casket, it's important to
remember that its purpose is to provide
a dignified way to move the body before
burial or cremation. No casket, regardless
of its qualities or cost, will preserve
a body forever. Metal caskets frequently
are described as "gasketed," "protective"
or "sealer" caskets. These terms
mean that the casket has a rubber gasket
or some other feature that is designed to
delay the penetration of water into the
casket and prevent rust. The Funeral Rule
forbids claims that these features help
preserve the remains indefinitely because
they don't. They just add to the cost of
the casket. Most metal caskets are
made from rolled steel of varying gauges
- the lower the gauge, the thicker the steel.
Some metal caskets come with a warranty
for longevity. Wooden caskets generally
are not gasketed and don't have a warranty
for longevity. They can be hardwood like
mahogany, walnut, cherry or oak, or softwood
like pine. Pine caskets are a less expensive
option, but funeral homes rarely display
them. Manufacturers of both wooden and metal
caskets usually warrant workmanship and
materials. For cremation: Under the Funeral Rule,
funeral directors who offer direct cremations:
Burial Vaults
or Grave Liners State laws do not require
a vault or liner, and funeral providers
may not tell you otherwise. However, keep
in mind that many cemeteries require some
type of outer burial container to prevent
the grave from sinking in the future. Neither
grave liners nor burial vaults are designed
to prevent the eventual decomposition of
human remains. It is illegal for funeral
providers to claim that a vault will keep
water, dirt or other debris from penetrating
into the casket if that's not true. Before showing you any
outer burial containers, a funeral provider
is required to give you a list of prices
and descriptions. It may be less expensive
to buy an outer burial container from a
third-party dealer than from a funeral home
or cemetery. Compare prices from several
sources before you select a model. Preservative Processes
and Products Cemetery Sites When you are purchasing
a cemetery plot, consider the location of
the cemetery and whether it meets the requirements
of your family's religion. Other considerations
include what, if any, restrictions the cemetery
places on burial vaults purchased elsewhere,
the type of monuments or memorials it allows,
and whether flowers or other remembrances
may be placed on graves. Cost is another consideration.
Cemetery plots can be expensive, especially
in metropolitan areas. Most, but not all,
cemeteries require you to purchase a grave
liner, which will cost several hundred dollars.
Note that there are charges - usually hundreds
of dollars - to open a grave for interment
and additional charges to fill it in. Perpetual
care on a cemetery plot sometimes is included
in the purchase price, but it's important
to clarify that point before you buy the
site or service. If it's not included, look
for a separate endowment care fee for maintenance
and groundskeeping. If you plan to bury your
loved one's cremated remains in a mausoleum
or columbarium, you can expect to purchase
a crypt and pay opening and closing fees,
as well as charges for endowment care and
other services. The FTC's Funeral Rule does
not cover cemeteries and mausoleums unless
they sell both funeral goods and funeral
services, so be cautious in making your
purchase to ensure that you receive all
pertinent price and other information, and
that you're being dealt with fairly. Veterans Cemeteries
In addition, many states
have established state veterans cemeteries.
Eligibility requirements and other details
vary. Contact your state for more information.
Beware of commercial cemeteries
that advertise so-called "veterans'
specials." These cemeteries sometimes
offer a free plot for the veteran, but charge
exorbitant rates for an adjoining plot for
the spouse, as well as high fees for opening
and closing each grave. Evaluate the bottom-line
cost to be sure the special is as special
as you may be led to believe. For More Information
Most states have a licensing
board that regulates the funeral industry.
You may contact the board in your state
for information or help. If you want additional
information about making funeral arrangements
and the options available, you may want
to contact interested business, professional
and consumer groups. Some of the biggest
are: AARP Fulfillment Council of Better
Business Bureaus, Inc. Funeral Consumers
Alliance Cremation Association
of North America International
Cemetery and Funeral Association
International
Order of the Golden Rule Jewish Funeral
Directors of America Seaport Landing
National Funeral
Directors Association National Funeral
Directors and Morticians Association
National Selected
Morticians Funeral Service
Consumer Assistance Program Funeral Service
Educational Foundation Solving Problems If you have a problem
concerning funeral matters, it's best to
try to resolve it first with the funeral
director. If you are dissatisfied, the Funeral
Consumer's Alliance may be able to advise
you on how best to resolve your issue. You
also can contact your state or local consumer
protection agencies listed in your telephone
book, or the Funeral Service Consumer Assistance
Program. You can file a complaint
with the FTC by contacting the Consumer
Response Center by phone, toll-free, at
1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 1-866-653-4261;
by mail: Consumer Response Center, Federal
Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20580; or on the Internet
at www.ftc.gov,
using the online complaint form. Although
the Commission cannot resolve individual
problems for consumers, it can act against
a company if it sees a pattern of possible
law violations. Planning
for a Funeral Prices to Check Make copies of this page
and check with several funeral homes to
compare costs. Immediate
cremation If the cremation process is extra,
how much is it? "Traditional,"
full-service burial or cremation: Description, including model #
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