How to Make a Funeral Casket Arrangement
When a loved one dies, you're faced with myriad decisions that can seem overwhelming. Purchasing a casket is one of the hardest. According to the Federal Trade Commission, caskets vary in style and price, with a simple one costing over $2,000. Some sell for as much as $10,000. During this emotionally stressful time, it can be difficult to select a casket for a loved one.
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Instructions
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Determine if a loved one made pre-planned funeral arrangements. Ask family members or your loved one's attorney. If so, take care to comply with the deceased's wishes.
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Set a price point. Spend whatever you feel comfortable with or can afford and stick with it. While most funeral directors are professionals, some are unscrupulous and might attempt to pressure you to overspend on a casket. The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, protects consumers from unfair funeral practices.
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Contact a minimum of two funeral homes. If you choose a funeral home because it's close to home, you have used it in the past or a trusted friend recommended it, you risk paying more than necessary. Sometimes it's less stressful to "price shop" funeral homes over the phone. The Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to provide you with price information on the phone.
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Visit the funeral home. The Funeral Rule requires the funeral director to provide you with a price list of the caskets the company sells before showing them to you. According to the Federal Trade Commission, industry studies show the average person buys one of the first three caskets shown, usually the middle priced one.
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Compare caskets. Low-end models are usually constructed of wood, while high-end models are constructed of mahogany, bronze or copper. It's in the funeral director's financial interest to show you the high-end models first. Don't be surprised if the low-end models are not on display.
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Arrange to purchase the casket. Remember, the casket only serves as a repository for the body. It is in no way a reflection of your feelings toward the deceased.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase a casket off the Internet and arrange to have it delivered to the funeral home. The Funeral Rule requires that a funeral home use a casket you have purchased elsewhere, and prohibits the home from charging you extra.
Don't purchase features you don't need. Often, a funeral director will tell you a "gasketed" or "protective" casket will preserve a body forever. The Funeral Rule prohibits this practice. The features only add to the price of the casket.
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