Selecting a Funeral Home
According to the National Funeral Directors Association's Family Contact Survey, location and reputation within your community are among the most important reasons for selecting one funeral home over another. Beyond cost, it is important to feel comfortable with the staff and services provided.
The funeral home should offer you a variety of options. You should not be hurried or feel pushed to buy any specific products. The FTC requires funeral homes to show you an itemized list of costs upfront and to provide that list to you in person, over the phone, or by mail. Although the staff might show you a "package" of items and services, you have the right to choose and pay for items individually.
Ask relatives, friends, staff at your place of worship, or hospital staff for recommendations.
The industry is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission. You can get information more information about your rights by going to the FTC website at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm (which includes a helpful checklist and glossary).
You can also contact the National Funeral Directors' Association at www.nfda.org or the Jewish Funeral Directors Association (http://www.jfda.org/listing_state_city.html) for a list of compatible funeral homes in your community.
|
