When a loved one dies, family members are confronted with dozens of decisions they must make in a short time and under emotional duress. Among the most important is choosing a funeral home, casket or urn and whether to bury or cremate the body.
The Board licenses funeral directors and embalmers; registers funeral establishments; and investigates consumer complaints. The Board also promotes advance funeral planning.
How do I find a funeral home?
Whether you’re planning ahead or making arrangements at the time of need, a funeral home can facilitate services that honor your loved one and fulfill your wishes. When choosing a funeral home, consider factors such as the location, price, and the staff.
If you visit a funeral home in person, under federal law the provider must provide you with a general price list (GPL) that itemizes the cost of the items and services the facility offers. In addition, if the funeral home offers caskets and outer burial containers, they must make those available to view and purchase.
Funeral homes often offer package funerals that may cost less than if you purchased the items and services separately. When comparing prices, be sure to take into account any additional fees for third-party services such as cemetery or crematory charges and obituary notices. The funeral home must also clearly disclose any state or local laws that require the purchase of certain products or services.
What are the benefits of working with a funeral bureau?
The funeral industry is an excellent career choice for those with interpersonal skills, a thorough understanding of the laws and practices that govern it and the ability to make sound business decisions. In addition, funeral directors are able to offer families pre-need funeral planning contracts that guarantee prices and services.
Consumers also have the right to choose a casket or urn they want, and providers must disclose this on their general price list (GPL). And, in accordance with FTC guidelines, the funeral home must allow consumers to wash and dress the body if that is part of their religious or cultural practice.
Moreover, funeral homes may help their clients arrange third-party services such as obituaries, flowers and cemetery and cremation services. This may be helpful for consumers who are making arrangements by phone or online.
How do I choose a funeral home?
Whether you’re planning ahead or in the midst of making arrangements for a loved one, knowing how to choose a funeral home wisely can save money and improve satisfaction. Here are a few tips:
Decide together with family members what you can afford. Then find a funeral home that can accommodate your budget.
Ask the funeral homes you’re considering to provide a list of prices, which they are required by law to do. This allows you to compare prices and services to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.
In addition to pricing, consider the funeral home’s facility. Is it clean and well-maintained? Does it have a chapel and space for a visitation, wake or viewing, if applicable to your arrangements? Are the staff compassionate and attentive to your needs? These are all important factors to consider. You can also ask for references from other families to gain an additional perspective. You can even ask friends and co-workers for recommendations.
What are the legal requirements for working with a funeral home?
The funeral industry is a high-risk workplace with a variety of occupational hazards. Whether you’re a funeral director, embalmer or mortician, or you work with them in some capacity, it is important to understand your state’s licensing and certification requirements.
Each person engaged in the business of funeral directing, undertaking or embalming shall have and maintain a funeral home license. The department may, after a hearing, revoke or refuse to issue any such license. Any person aggrieved by any finding or action of the board may appeal therefrom in accordance with section 4-183.
Each funeral home that conducts embalming must develop and implement a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan designed to minimize or eliminate employees’ exposure to bloodborne pathogens. These plans must include the provision that employees be offered hepatitis B vaccinations, unless they have previously received the full hepatitis B vaccine series or antibody testing reveals that they are immune or the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.