The Board licenses funeral directors, embalmers and funeral establishments. It also investigates complaints and imposes disciplinary sanctions when necessary.
Often, the most expensive item is the casket. A casket can be made of metal, wood, fiberboard or fiberglass. It is designed to hold the body. It must be embalmed, dressed and cosmetized.
Choosing a Funeral Home
When choosing a funeral home, families need to consider the funeral services offered, as well as whether or not they align with family values and religious beliefs. They should also choose a funeral home that provides an assortment of caskets and urns, offers flexible pricing, and is able to accommodate special needs.
The best way to decide what type of funeral is right for your family is to make a list of your wishes and compare them to the services offered by each funeral home. It is also helpful to price shop by telephone. By law, funeral homes must provide price information over the phone if asked, and many will send you their General Price List by mail.
When you have narrowed down your options, set a budget and visit the funeral homes on your list. Be sure to bring a friend or relative who is less emotionally invested in the process so that you can get an objective perspective.
Arrangement Conferences
Many decisions must be made during a short timeframe following a death. Choosing a funeral home, determining the type of service, notifying relatives and arranging travel are just some of the tasks to be completed. This is especially true if the death was unexpected.
The initial meeting with the funeral director, called an arrangement conference, is the time to learn about available options and consider how you would like to honor your loved one. This may be done in-person at the funeral home or, if preferred, over the phone or online.
It is recommended that the authorized next of kin be present for this meeting. This is the person who will be responsible for making decisions and signing documents. Other family members are welcome to join, but it is not required.
Caskets
A casket is a container that is placed over the body of the deceased before a funeral service. It can be made from wood, metal or fiberglass and may have handles, ornaments and embroidered emblems. Its price can range from $400 to $12,000 depending on the materials it is made of, whether extra features are added (such as a half-couch lid) and any special interior lining.
Many families choose to rent a casket for visitation and funeral services instead of purchasing one. These rentals generally cost less than purchasing a casket and are available in various colors.
A funeral home must make its general price list available upon request and disclose any service fees it charges for items that it buys from outside vendors on your behalf, such as flowers, obituary notices and music.
Pre-Need Agreements
A pre-need contract allows consumers to purchase, in advance, merchandise and services for their funerals. This includes a casket, marker, vault or grave space, among other items. These contracts can be revocable or irrevocable. Those that are revocable allow you to withdraw principal and accrued interest at any time. However, these contracts are not eligible for a transfer to another provider.
Preneed agreements can guarantee that funds will be available to cover funeral expenses, regardless of unforeseen circumstances or inflation. They can also be structured as an irrevocable trust to avoid being considered a personal asset when applying for assistance from social service programs. However, these agreements do not guarantee that the goods and services purchased will be available at your time of need.
General Price List
When a consumer telephones or writes to request information about your goods and services, you must send them the GPL, if requested. You do not need to send it if the inquiry is made during non-business hours, or if you already have scheduled an arrangement conference for that consumer.
You must also show consumers a Casket Price List and an Outer Burial Container Price List. These lists must contain either the individual prices or a range of prices for each casket and alternative container you regularly offer, as well as the price of the cemetery deed and a grave liner.
The Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected must provide a complete listing and itemized price for all goods and services you sell, including your basic service fee and overhead charges. This allows consumers to compare your prices to other providers’.