How to Spot Funeral Scams
Funeral scams prey on the bereaved and churn out large profits for unscrupulous funeral directors. Familiarize yourself with the federal government's Funeral Rule and follow these tips to protect yourself and your fellow consumers from funeral scams.
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Instructions
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Watch out for promotional packages. Some promotional packages are marketed to consumers with the lure of saving money and may offer a substantial discount on one main service or product like a casket. However, fees for other mandatory products or services like mortuary services may be increased to offset the funeral home's potential profit loss. A funeral home must provide a list of individual products and services that you can purchase; purchasing a funeral package should not be the only option available to you.
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Check listed prices for products and services. Mortuary services, including funeral planning time, cemetery arrangements, death certificate and permit acquisition, should only take about 4 hours to accomplish. Funeral directors that charge thousands of dollars are overcharging.
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Look for written notices on general price lists. A funeral director must inform you in writing of your right to purchase your choices of goods and services; he must also inform you of what you are lawfully required purchase.
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Identify pressure to buy products and services that you don't initially desire or need. Some funeral directors may try to take advantage of your fragile emotional state to push you into purchasing more items than are necessary.
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Use common sense when purchasing products or services. Some funeral directors will offer embalming services before a cremation. While they may embalm the decedent before cremation, the service is completely unnecessary.
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Know your rights. The federal government has enacted the Funeral Rule to protect consumers from being taken advantage of while making funeral arrangements. Read over the fundamentals of the Funeral Rule and apply the information while purchasing funeral goods and services.
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Tips & Warnings
Research funeral and burial laws in your state. Different states have varying funeral and burial requirements.
A good way to combat funeral directors' pressure into purchasing extraneous items or services is to research what you want or need beforehand. Compare prices and decide on what you want before walking into a funeral home.
Consider shopping around before purchasing goods and services from a particular funeral home. Funeral directors are required by law to provide you with the costs of goods and services over the phone if you request them.
