Funeral Consumers Alliance

1. A funeral will almost always cost at least $5,000.
    Yes  No
2. A memorial service is just the same as a funeral.
    Yes  No
3. It is illegal to have visiting hours anywhere except at a funeral home.
    Yes  No
4. The newspaper will accept an obituary only from a mortician.
    Yes  No
5. Embalming is required by state law.
    Always  Sometimes  Almost Never
6. Embalming protects the public health.
    Yes  No
7. Embalming preserves the body forever.
    Yes  No
8. Embalming must be done before cremation.
    Yes  No
9. A sealer casket protects the body better than most.
    Yes  No
10. A funeral director can charge a handling fee if you buy your casket somewhere else.
     Yes  No
11. States have laws on casket standards, so that it is no longer legal to build a plain pine box.
     Yes  No
12. A casket will cost about $3,000.
     Yes  No
13. An outer burial container is required by state law.
     Yes  No
14. You must purchase a casket for cremation for the dignity of all concerned.
     Yes  No
15. Cremated remains must be buried in a cemetery.
     Yes  No
16. A cremation urn will cost at least $100 and is required before burial.
     Yes  No
17. You must also purchase an urn vault before burial of cremated remains.
     Yes  No
18. You may sell your body for medical study.
     Yes  No
19. If the police called a funeral home after an accident, it must be the best one.
     Yes  No
20. It's a good idea to pay the funeral director years ahead to get the best prices.
     Yes  No

 

If you said "Yes" to more than one of these statements, I know a funeral director who would like to sell you a gold-plated casket. The answers and explanations for most of these issues appear in our on-line pages or contact a Funeral Consumers Alliance near you.

 

"Rest in peace until we meet again."
...and then watch out?