Funeral Consumer Advocates

09/22/2014

Exploding Caskets - Not Good

http://www.naplesnews.com/lifestyle/faith-and-values/caskets0647_09420174

Putting dead people in buildings was never smart engineering.

03/13/2014

Not All Funeral Homes Violate Federal Law,
It's Only About 3,200

http://www.funeralconsumeradvocates.com/blog/

In 2013, the FTC inspected 124 funeral homes and found 32 in violation of Federal Law. The FTC’s Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide General Price Lists before an arrangement conference begins. The Rule further requires casket and outer burial container price lists be offered, before demo...

03/05/2014

Find Hidden Death Benefits
Go to this US Gov. Website search on Death Benefits
http://www.benefits.gov/

Benefits.gov is a partnership of many Federal agencies and organizations with a shared vision - to provide improved, personalized access to government benefit programs.

01/25/2014

Article points out the need to be informed. Most funeral directors and cemeteries are honest, but they want to sell you everything you are willing to buy, not necessarily what you need or really want.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865594665/Undercutting-the-undertaker-Reducing-the-unavoidable-expenses-of-dying.html?pg=2

When a loved one dies, decisions need to be made quickly. But just because it is a vulnerable time does not mean a person needs to be vulnerable financially.

01/09/2014

Funeral Crooks are abundant. This is just one story. When you pre-arrange a funeral, you might want to just put your money in an insurance policy or bank trust. Funeral directors will do this for you, but be sure you know where the money is going and how you can check on your balance, from time to time.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/dec/02/trio-arraigned-funeral-home-allegations/

01/06/2014

A post from a friend reminded me of this timeless article. The take-away is that attending a funeral, while an inconvenience to most of us, has life changing impact on the loved ones of the deceased. A case for making funeral attendance part of who you are, by being part of what you do.
http://www.npr.org/2005/08/08/4785079/always-go-to-the-funeral

Fatherly advice about a simple gesture shaped listener Deirdre Sullivan's life philosophy.

11/05/2013

Disgraceful! This story begs the question of who is watching the chicken coop in NC. If the Funeral Board is as unworthy as the article portrays, what about the funeral directors it oversees? ALERT: in NC, buyer be really aware.

http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/nc-funeral-service-board-misspends-money/Content?oid=3755725

The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service wants more money—a lot more—but a state audit and an analysis by the INDY suggest the board has plenty of money—but mismanages it.

10/21/2013

The death of a family member is one of the most difficult times that a person can experience. You are grieving and yet you must make decisions about the final farewell.

10/21/2013

Source: Federal Trade Commission

—
Funeral Costs Rise Again

Average cost for funeral services (2012)

Basic services fee $1,975

Removal/transfer of remains $285

Embalming $695

Other preparation of the body $225

Use of facilities for viewing $400

Use of facilities for funeral $495

Use of a hearse $295

Use of a service car/van $130

Basic memorial printed package $150

Metal Casket $2,395

Average cost of a funeral $7,045

Vault $1,298

Total cost of funeral with vault $8,343

10/21/2013

Source: Federal Trade Commission

—
Funeral Costs Rise Again

Average cost for funeral services (2012)

Basic services fee $1,975

Removal/transfer of remains $285

Embalming $695

Other preparation of the body $225

Use of facilities for viewing $400

Use of facilities for funeral $495

Use of a hearse $295

Use of a service car/van $130

Basic memorial printed package $150

Metal Casket $2,395

Average cost of a funeral $7,045

Vault $1,298

Total cost of funeral with vault $8,343

08/20/2013

Funeral Director Tells All -- And MORE
Certainly, not all, or even a majority of funeral directors, behave in the manner describer in this "Tell All" article. However, how can you be so sure about all the funeral homes in your town?
http://boingboing.net/2013/08/19/anonymous-funeral-director-exp.html

An anonymous commenter who identifies her/himself as a funeral director has posted a magnificent rant to a Reddit thread, explaining all the ways that funeral directors con bereaved families into paying for things they don't need, like $5000 painted plywood boxes and "barbaric," environmentally degr...

08/19/2013

Is it time to pick one from the list and decide to take care of yourself today?
http://www.exposingthetruth.co/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying/

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five.