Deciding on Burial Options
Several things to consider when choosing a funeral provider or other burial options include:
Selecting the Funeral Home
Funeral Homes are often selected because it is close to home, has provided service to the family in the past or been recommended by a trusted friend. While this might be a useful way of finding a funeral home during a distressing time, limiting the search to a single funeral home may result limiting choices of goods and services and also result in paying more than is necessary.
Locally vs. Nationally Owned
In the funeral industry many of the neighborhood funeral homes are in fact owned by a national corporation. If having a locally owned funeral home is important, then ask.
Comparison Shopping
Perhaps the best advice when considering a funeral provider is to do some comparison shopping; this can be very helpful if it is done when in a pre-need position.
According to the Funeral Rule (discussed more in depth on the next page), if a consumer visits in person or calls on the phone, the funeral provider is required to give them a price list with the itemized costs of products and services offered by the funeral home.
If you are going in person, be sure to take friend along that you trust to help ask questions about options and possibly make decisions. Initial price comparisons are often most easily done over the telephone using a table such as the one provided at the end of this article.
Special Packages
Many funeral homes offer special packages that may cost less than purchasing individual items or services, but may also give you items and services that you may not want or need. They are also required to provide an itemized price list.
Be sure to compare the total price of all the items as well as the costs of single items.
Typical Services and Products
Some of the Services to consider with a traditional, full-service burial or cremation include:
- Basic services fee for the funeral director and staff
- Pickup of body
- Embalming
- Other preparation of body
- Casket, Coffin Options
- Outer Burial Container (vault)
- Visitation or viewing - staff and facilities
- Funeral or memorial service - staff and facilities
- Graveside service - staff and equipment
- Hearse
- Other vehicles
- Other Services:
- Forwarding body to another funeral home
- Receiving body from another funeral home
Table for Comparing Funeral, Burial and Cremation Options
The last page of this article provides a helpful table with many of the various services and products offered by different providers as well as the different types of providers.
Pre-Need, Pre-Pay Options
Increasing numbers of people are planning their own funerals or designating their burial choices to help relieve their families of these decisions and not have to rush to make decisions about a cemetery plot or inurnment site. Some businesses services allow for pre-payment in advance.
One option is to make decisions about arrangement in advance, keep your family informed, but not pay in advance, since over time, prices may go up and businesses may close or change ownership.
Additional Helpful Resources
- Funerals: Consumer Guide to Funerals - A 36-page PDF File printable e-Booklet From the Federal Trade Commissions
- Your Guide to Funeral care - A beautifully illustrated 28-page PDF File guide from the Cooperative Funeralcare in the U.K
- It's Your Funeral brochure - A 12-page PDF File downloadable brochure from the St Mark's Church and Community Centres in Bedford, England.
Source:
Federal Trade Commission. Funerals: A Consumer Guide. 2000. 28 October 2006. <http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm>
