Whatever you decide, write down your wishes in detail. Perhaps you prefer a traditional earth burial with embalming, visitation and an elaborate funeral service.Green, or natural burial, in a shroud or simple box, can be very affordable and ecologically friendly.You could consider a funeral service held at home.Other very economical choices are “direct cremation” or “direct burial” with no embalming or visitation.You might donate your body to a medical school for research, which in some cases incurs no charge for survivors.If the funeral home will not be a gathering space for family, why choose the place closest to your home? Which is better-saving $1,000 or 15 minutes of driving time? If both price and location are important, remember that most funeral homes will travel 20 to 30 miles to pick up the deceased without any extra charges. Receive a written statement after you decide what you want, but before you payĪsk yourself: How important is a convenient location? Do you prefer proximity to your home, place of worship, or cemetery? Is price a critical factor? How flexible is your budget? If you or your family used a funeral firm in the past, how satisfied were you? Do you have special religious or cultural requirements? If you want a viewing or service, will you need a large facility with ample parking, high-tech video screens, or handicap-accessibility? Or is simplicity your first priority?.Provide the funeral home with a casket or urn bought elsewhere without incurring additional fees.Use an alternative container instead of a casket for cremation.Buy only the goods and services you want.Receive a written, itemized price list when you visit.Get price information over the telephone.Briefly, the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule affirms your right to: Next, review your rights as a funeral consumer. Do they have preferences about the type of final arrangement? If you are planning for a loved one, did he or she leave any written instructions? Have arrangements at a certain funeral home already been prepaid, perhaps years ago? Be sure to look for any documents that will help in the decision-making process before going forward. Don’t make the mistake of buying a funeral the way many people do-accepting the funeral home’s price then scrambling to find the money.Īsk your family some specific questions. Have you and your family discussed a budget, and decided on an amount that’s affordable for you-that you’re willing and able to spend without hardship? Shopping for a funeral should be like making any major purchase-you know what you can afford before you start shopping. Consult your family and decide on a budget By learning how to choose wisely, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and improve your overall satisfaction with the services you receive.ġ. Use this step-by-step guide to help you find the best funeral home for you and your family. Without comparing prices and services, you can’t tell whether their fees are reasonable, or you’ve been overcharged generation after generation. If you have used a funeral home in the past, don’t automatically assume it’s the best choice. Or you have decided to pick a funeral home for yourself long before it’s needed, to spare your family the ordeal of making this decision while grieving and pressed for time. Perhaps your loved one is nearing death and you must find a funeral home quickly.
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