Feature Articles - Aging
Planning funerals in advance makes decisions easier
Brenda Procter, M.S., state specialist & instructor, Personal Financial Planning, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
Americans spend billions of dollars a year to arrange more
than 2 million funerals for family members and friends.
Consumers who make funeral arrangements in advance can compare
prices and services so that the funeral reflects a wise and
well-informed purchasing decision, honors the deceased and is
meaningful to survivors.
When you shop for funeral products and services pre-need:
1. Shop around in advance. Compare prices from at
least two funeral homes. Choose a reputable funeral home so you
know they will still be in business when the need arises.
2. Ask for a price list. By law, funeral homes must
give you written price lists for products and services. You can
supply your own casket or urn.
3. Resist pressure to buy goods and services you don’t
really need.
4. Avoid emotional overspending. You can properly
honor a loved one without the fanciest casket or the most
elaborate funeral.
5. Recognize your rights. Funerals and burial laws
vary from state to state. For information about Missouri funeral
rules and laws or to file a complaint, see
http://pr.mo.gov/embalmers-rules-statutes.asp or contact the
Missouri Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors at
573-751-0813.
6. 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.
7. Plan ahead to comparison shop without time constraints, discuss the funeral with your family and limit the burden they will carry when they are grieving. If you are planning your own service, you may want to review and revise your decision every few years.
The FTC also offers a consumer guide to funeral planning, complete with a price checklist, glossary of terms, a description of services, information sources and a list of questions to ask. To request a copy of Funerals, A Consumer Guide, or for additional information, call 1-877-382-4357 or visit the Web site at http://ftc.gov/.
Adapted from Pre-Planning Funerals Helps Make Decisions Easier, Federal Trade Commission, downloaded from http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/naps06.pdf, November 14, 2008.
Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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