National Casket Retailer's Assoc. Member FAQ Page In hopes of lifting the moratorium on death education, we have this FAQ page as a start. You'll need to make difficult decisions when someone close to you dies. Sure, this stuff is tough to talk about, but as in any other part of life, an informed choice on death matters a lot. And when faced with most of these decisions, you don't get a second chance.
(Q)WHY ARE FUNERAL PRICES SO HIGH? (A)In the last several years, corporate chains such as Service Corporation International (SCI), Loewen Group Inc., and Stewart Enterprises have started a systematic take-over of independently- owned operations across the country, enabling them to monopolize the funeral transaction from beginning to end (FAMSA 1997). They are then free to drastically raise prices because there is little or no competition. Since the take-over began around 1975, the average funeral price has risen 6-7% each year (FFDA, 1996). Furthermore, most states have largely incomplete knowledge of ownership of funeral homes and there are few records ~ documentations of how large this trend truly has become. With no or limited competition, price always remains high. ENTER National Casket Retailer's Assoc. & other funeral watch dog groups.
It is true?;
  1. That a family can buy a casket considerably less expensive from a retail seller (in all of the United States, except seven states that forbid the sale of caskets except by funeral homes) and then utilize a funeral home's services.
  2. That no Handling fees may be charged
  3. And no discrimination of any remarks or service in any way
  4. When a person is talking "arrangements at a funeral home, the funeral director is REQUIRED to give you a (GPL) general price list, at the start.
ALL of the above are CORRECT and TRUE statements!However, funeral homes must accept caskets from outside sources. We can deliver or ship to any state!

The Funeral Rule prohibits specific misrepresentations in six areas (FTC 1997):
  1. Embalming - Funeral homes may not tell consumers that embalming is required unless a specific state or local law requires it. In MOST STATES, embalming is not required by law.
  2. Casket for Direct Cremation - Funeral homes cannot tell consumers that state or local law requires them to buy a casket if they are arranging a direct cremation for the cremation itself or for any other reason. An alternative container must also be made available.
  3. Outer Burial Container - Funeral homes cannot tell consumers that they are required to buy an outer burial container, unless a specific state or local law requires it. They also must tell consumers that state law does not require them to purchase an outer burial container.
  4. Legal and Cemetery Requirements - Funeral homes cannot tell consumers that any federal, state, or local law or particular cemetery or crematory requires them to buy a particular good or service, if that is not true.
  5. Preservative and Protective Value Claims - Funeral homes cannot make any representations to consumers that funeral goods or services will delay the natural decomposition of human remains for a long term or an indefinite time.
  6. Cash Advance Items - If funeral homes mark-up the charge on cash advance items or receive a commission, discount, or rebate that is not passed on to the consumer, they cannot state that the price charged for the cash advance item is the same as its true cost. This rule, however, does not prevent them from adding a service charge, nor does it require them to disclose the amount of that charge to the consumer.

Other Misrepresentations--other kinds of misrepresentations, though not specifically prohibited by the Funeral Rule, are nonetheless illegal. The FTC Act prohibits deceptive acts or practices. Likewise, the consumer protection laws of each state prohibit deceptive practices.

FUNERALS PUBLICATIONS (Sources named) CASKETS AND BURIAL VALUTS. Discusses casket and burial vaults, their use, and their protective claims. Funeral pre-planning options, questions to ask before prepaying and organizations to contact for further information are also provided. (FTC, 1992) Free 6 pp. brochure.

CEMETERY GOODS AND SERVICES:PLANNING FOR DIFFICULT TIMES. How to recognize deceptive sales practices related to liners and vaults, pre-need contracts and cemetery plots. Discusses cremation as an alternative and federal benefits provided by the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Administration. (AARP, 1988) Free 12 pp. brochure. FUNERALS: A CONSUMER GUIDE. Describes FTC's Funeral Rule requirement of itemized cost and availability of funeral goods and services information. Lists sources of additional funeral arrangements information. (CIC, 1990) $ .50 for 4 pp. brochure. PRODUCT REPORT: Pre-Paying Your Funeral? Comprehensive advice on prearrangements including pre-need plans and prepaying. Cancellation policies are also discussed. (AARP, 1992) Free 14 pp. booklet.

And all of us should become familiar with the basic options of a funeral service and make the tough decisions surrounding our own funerals long before the time to buy comes due.
Just close this window to return to your retail NCRA member's store. Please make yourself aware of "Sham discounts" & other tactics that may be used. Just ask your retailers. The NCRA is a funeral industry watchdog and does not offer business advice, or have responsibility in any ~ each independently owned or franchised store ownership acts or deeds.All rights reserved. Additionally,
(warning) This material may not be published, displayed, or redistributed except by a member, and may not be used by Non member firms.