Cost Facts: Funeral Rule Provisions
In accordance with The Funeral Rule set out by the FTC, funeral providers must give you a statement of all costs of the funeral goods and services that you select. This is called a General Price List (GPL). If the funeral director doesn't know the costs, you must be given a written ‘good faith estimate'. This statement doesn't have to be in a specific format, though providing the list up front is a sign of good business practices. The Funeral Rule covers American funerals only, but many Canadian provinces also make it mandatory to disclose all costs ahead of time.
Cost Breakdown
Funeral costs can be divided into three basic categories:
- The basic service fee: Funeral providers are allowed to charge this, and it can't be declined by consumers. This fee covers services common to all funerals including the use of the home, the services of the funeral director and funeral home attendants, burial arrangement coordination (with a cemetery or other), securing permits, etc.
- Optional service charges: Some optional services include transporting the body, embalming, times for viewing (or wakes), use of a hearse or limousine, burial container, cremation and interment.
- Cash disbursements: This covers goods and services that the funeral home buys on your behalf, with your consent. It may include the purchase of flowers, clergy services, obituary notices, pallbearers and other service providers such as soloists or musicians.
Your Expenditures
When it comes to funeral expenses you should definitely shop around and find the best prices. You might want to find a trusted funeral home to help you with your decisions, but you have to remember that they'll have their own interests in your purchases and might not lead you to the best values. The most important thing to remember is that the cost of the funeral isn't related to how much you cared for or respected the deceased. You shouldn't deal with anyone who tries to guilt you into overspending in this way.
2 comments:
Is it important for everyone to have a funeral plan even if they aren't chronically ill or elderly? Does it save the family disputes if everything is already done prior to my death or can deviations take place upon death anyway? Does it, in your experience take away some stress of the funeral when arrangements are already made?
It is wise to have as much in your life planned out as you can. It becomes more of a priority the older you become or if you develop a chronic illness. Saving your family disputes is one of the most important reasons for preplanning your funeral, though deviation is possible if the legally responsible parties (such as children) decide to change the plans. Typically this does not happen out of the respect for the wishes of the deceased. And yes, the number one reason for preplanning a funeral is to alleviate the stress and guilt from the family left to make these arrangements. No one has to worry whether they are doing the "right thing" for their parent or if that is "mom's favorite color." It has been shown(I cannot reference this, but I'll look for it)that people same money arranging their own funeral in advance. People are more likely to be frugal spending money on their own funeral and spend more money on a family member's funeral (possible out of guilt?).
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