FTC Tips for Planning a Funeral
- Shop around in advance.
Compare prices from at least two funeral homes. Remember that you can supply your own casket.
- Ask for a price list.
The law requires funeral homes to give you a written price list for products and services.
- Resist pressure
to buy goods and services you don't really want or need.
- Avoid emotional overspending.
It's not necessary to have the fanciest casket or the most elaborate funeral to properly honor a loved one.
- Recognize your rights.
Laws regarding funerals and burials vary from state to state. It's a smart move to know which goods and services the law requres you to purcahse and which are optional.
- Apply the same smart shopping techniques
you use for other major purchases. You can cut costs by limiting the viewing to one day or one hour before the funeral, and by dressing your loved one in a favorite outfit instead of costly burial clothing.
- Plan ahead.
It allows you to comparison shop without time constraints, creates an opprtunity for family discussion, and lifts some of the burden from your family.
Use this price checklist from the Federal Trade Commission to compare prices from different funeral homes. PDF