Did you know?

• The average cost of a traditional funeral (including open-casket service, followed by an earth burial) is about $6,500.
• In most cases, it is up to the next-of-kin to decide whether or not the body should be embalmed.
• Funeral homes are required by Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations to provide consumers with a written "General Price List" upon request and at the beginning of a funeral planning session.
• FTC regulations prohibit funeral directors from charging "casket handling fees" for people who make the casket or purchase it from another vendor. You may arrange to bring a casket to the funeral home for use. Rental may also be possible.
• The Number of people who opt for cremation is rising every year. Nationally, about 20% of deaths are followed by cremation.
• Cremation can follow an open-casket service or any type of service (but timing may mandate embalming).

For your information:

• By planning ahead and communicating your end-of-life wishes, you can reduce the amount of the stress, confusion and, expense incurred by survivors at the time of your death.
• We encourage individuals to PLAN ahead, but not necessarily to PAY ahead. Carefully consider your situation, weigh your options, and learn about state laws before buying a "pre-need" funeral or burial plan.
• We like to include stories about experiences that our members have had with final arrangements. Send us your story (whether positive or negative). We can all learn from each other. Also, if you have any final arrangement questions, send them to the attention to our newsletter editor at our mailing address. We will try to answer them in the next issue.
• Call to schedule a speaker for your club or place of worship: (816-561-6322)

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