Funeral Consumer Advocates

11/05/2022

09/22/2014

Exploding Caskets - Not Good

http://www.naplesnews.com/lifestyle/faith-and-values/caskets0647_09420174

Putting dead people in buildings was never smart engineering.

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...

03/05/2014

Find Hidden Death Benefits
Go to this US Gov. Website search on Death Benefits
http://www.benefits.gov/

Benefits.gov is a partnership of many Federal agencies and organizations with a shared vision - to provide improved, personalized access to government benefit programs.

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.

10/21/2013

The death of a family member is one of the most difficult times that a person can experience. You are grieving and yet you must make decisions about the final farewell.

10/21/2013

Source: Federal Trade Commission

—
Funeral Costs Rise Again

Average cost for funeral services (2012)

Basic services fee $1,975

Removal/transfer of remains $285

Embalming $695

Other preparation of the body $225

Use of facilities for viewing $400

Use of facilities for funeral $495

Use of a hearse $295

Use of a service car/van $130

Basic memorial printed package $150

Metal Casket $2,395

Average cost of a funeral $7,045

Vault $1,298

Total cost of funeral with vault $8,343

10/21/2013

Source: Federal Trade Commission

—
Funeral Costs Rise Again

Average cost for funeral services (2012)

Basic services fee $1,975

Removal/transfer of remains $285

Embalming $695

Other preparation of the body $225

Use of facilities for viewing $400

Use of facilities for funeral $495

Use of a hearse $295

Use of a service car/van $130

Basic memorial printed package $150

Metal Casket $2,395

Average cost of a funeral $7,045

Vault $1,298

Total cost of funeral with vault $8,343

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...

08/19/2013

Is it time to pick one from the list and decide to take care of yourself today?
http://www.exposingthetruth.co/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying/

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five.

08/14/2013

Cutting Funeral Costs. The article is mostly correct. The best way to cut funeral expenses is to not buy everything offered by the funeral arranger. Planning and shopping help you decide what you want. If you have a question, pose it here and we will give you an unbiased answer. With respect to "green" funerals, they are not necessarily less costly, in fact "green" items may cost more that traditional goods and services.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/inexpensively-shop-for/a-funeral-service-tips/prweb10943100.htm

New York, NY (PRWEB) July 18, 2013 -- A July 15th article in Forbes online called “How to shop for a funeral” offers advice to readers in shopping for a funeral. SunsetFinances.com looks at funeral costs and provides some effective cost saving measures.

08/14/2013

Grief -- How Can I Help? Read this article and find out.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/08/07/7-ways-to-help-a-loved-one-grieve

No need for profound advice. Experts say simply being present is most helpful, and we’ll show you how.

08/07/2013

Funeral Music -- doesn't have to be sad, but this song by Brad Paisley will bring a tear to your eye. Watch to the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYHT-TF4KO4

Music video by Brad Paisley performing When I Get Where I'm Going. (C) 2005 BMG Music

07/17/2013

LifeArt- environmentally friendly custom design coffins and caskets. Free Design on Line, how to create a custom and DIY coffin, easy guide to coffin and casket choices, find a cardboard coffin and caskets stockiest near you, used for cremation and burial. Eco coffins and caskets that reflect you.

07/02/2013

Don't Take Senior Competitors Lightly
http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2013/07/in_race-walking_seniors_leave.html

I walked as vigorously as I could, and I didn't even come close to the athletes headed to Cleveland this month for the 2013 National Senior Games.