Anatomical Donation

Anatomically Donating your body to medical science is different from donating organs, in that the entire body is given to a medical school or teaching hospital. Most schools don't allow you to donate your body for a specific purpose—you give them the body and they decide how to use it, usually for training medical students, but sometimes for research. The receiving institution should pay for the transport of the body, embalming, and later cremation of the remains (which are returned to the family), but the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act does allow “processing fees” to be charged. The Act has prevented some kinds of abuse and trafficking, but offenses still occur. A lot of medical schools want arrangements to be taken care of in advance, to find out more about donation, contact your preferred medical school for details. Often their website will have information and forms to fill out.

Pre-planning in a "nutshell"

Pre-planning ensures that your wishes are precisely followed, while your family is not burdened with the task of making emotionally difficult decisions. Funding can be arranged to cover funeral costs so that no financial burden remains. If you simply wish to make your choices in advance and keep them on file, most funeral homes are happy to help you with this at no charge(if they are not, check with another funeral home).

The FTC Funeral Rule

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:

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.

Funeral Service

With the high cost of funeral service, products, and cremation, the consumer deserves a funeral provider with integrity, quality products, and the highest regard for the deceased and their dignity. I'm here to answer questions and help steer you towards a funeral home of quality that will not take advantage of you in your time of loss. Please ask any questions you are curious about or that may help you with planning a funeral service.