The Funeral Bureau regulates licensed funeral directors, embalmers and cremation providers and investigates consumer complaints. It also promotes advance funeral planning and protects consumers’ right to choose meaningful, dignified and affordable funeral arrangements.
When making arrangements, ask for a general price list. This will include contractual language that legally obligates you to pay for the selected goods and services.
They help you make funeral arrangements
There are many decisions to make when you lose a loved one, including the disposition of their body. A funeral director can help you with this process, which includes choosing a casket and arranging a memorial service. They can also guide you in making arrangements for obituaries, flower vendors, picture slideshows and more.
If you decide to use a funeral home, choose one that has a reputation for treating its customers well. It is important to shop around before making a decision, and you can ask friends or co-workers for their recommendations if you don’t have a preference.
When you meet with a funeral director, they should give you a General Price List that identifies prices for merchandise and services available at the funeral home. They are required to provide this list at the beginning of the arrangement conference, and they cannot charge you more than the prices on the list. You can also request the list by email or telephone.
They offer competitive prices
Whether you are planning ahead for yourself or are in the grieving process after the death of a loved one, funeral bureaus can help you compare prices and services. Many offer bundled packages for reduced costs. However, you should be aware of what is included in each package. You can ask for an itemized statement before signing a contract. This should include the selected goods and services, as well as unallocated overhead charges such as insurance or advertising.
Some commenters raised concerns that funeral providers do not always disclose all of the products and services they offer on their GPLs. For example, some provide information only on caskets and alternative containers that they sell themselves; fail to mention third party fees such as the cost of a newspaper obituary; or omit required items from their GPLs. Others noted that many consumers are emotionally distraught after a loved one’s death and do not have the time or energy to call multiple providers for price information.
They are regulated by your state’s funeral board
When a loved one passes away, families must make dozens of decisions quickly and under emotional duress. They must decide which funeral home to use, what casket to buy and whether the body will be buried or cremated. Some of these choices are legally protected by state consumer protection laws.
These laws include the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, which requires funeral directors and firms to provide consumers with accurate itemized price information, and to disclose if a product or service is required by law. They also must not refuse or charge a fee to handle a casket bought elsewhere or make false claims about the preservative properties of a casket.
Licensing requirements for funeral services professionals vary by state, and licensing boards may have different educational and continuing education requirements. Students should contact their state board for more information. The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards is a not-for-profit voluntary association that administers the National Board Examination for funeral directors and embalmers.
They are a good place to start
A funeral director is a person who helps a family make arrangements for their loved one’s funeral. This is a highly responsible position, and many people find it to be a calling. The job is a rewarding career for those who are prepared for it, and offers competitive compensation. It is important to understand the costs involved in this type of arrangement. It is also helpful to work with a funeral director early in the process to avoid unexpected expenses.
Under the Funeral Rule, a funeral home must provide a General Price List (GPL) to anyone who inquires about its goods or services, regardless of whether they are making arrangements at-need or pre-need. This document must include identifying information and the itemized prices of the goods and services offered by the funeral home. It must also disclose any added charges, commissions, rebates, and discounts that are not passed on to consumers.
Recruiting and hiring the right staff member is crucial to your funeral home’s success. A study showed that employees who fit well with their company’s culture have higher job satisfaction and perform better at work.