Funeral Consumer Advocates

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...

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.

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...