The Funeral Bureau regulates the funeral industry by licensing and inspecting funeral homes. It also examines candidates for licensure to practice funeral directing and investigates complaints against practitioners. It also issues license verifications online at no charge.
Funeral home price lists must display the prices of caskets regularly offered for sale, as well as a general price list. The funeral home must give you the list before you discuss or view a casket.
They help you make arrangements
Funeral directors can help you make a variety of arrangements. They can offer advice on what to do when a loved one dies, and can explain the various options available for the funeral and burial. These can include a traditional service, memorial service, burial, entombment or cremation. They can also discuss the options for a wake, which is an event held after the funeral.
Most funeral homes offer a General Price List that identifies the prices charged for different goods and services. You can compare this to the prices offered by other funeral homes to make sure you are receiving the best possible price. You can make arrangements either in person or over the telephone. If you make the arrangements in person, the funeral director must give you a copy of an Itemized Statement of Services and Merchandise. This includes contractual language that legally obligates you to pay for the services and merchandise.
They have a staff of funeral directors
Funeral directors are a special group of individuals who work with bereaved families during one of the most challenging times in their lives. They are trained to help grieving families express their emotions and support them in navigating the mourning process. Many funeral directors describe their careers as a calling and cannot imagine doing anything else.
The funeral director will meet with you at an arrangement conference to discuss the services and merchandise available. This meeting can take place at the funeral home, your home, or in some cases over the telephone. After the arrangement conference, you will be provided with a General Price List and an Itemized Statement. The Itemized Statement contains contractual language that legally obligates you to pay for the funeral services.
The funeral industry is regulated by various state and federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, which enforces the Funeral Rule. These regulations are intended to protect consumers and ensure funeral homes adhere to ethical standards.
They have a staff of embalmers
Embalmers prepare bodies for funerals, allowing friends and family members to view them one last time before burial. They drain blood and replace it with embalming fluid, which is a preservative chemical that slows down the body’s deterioration. They also make sure that the body is presentable for viewing by applying makeup and arranging hair. They may also help with other funeral arrangements.
Forensic embalmers often work in mortuaries or hospitals, preparing bodies for autopsies and medical research. They collaborate with forensic pathologists and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the preserved bodies are handled appropriately.
An embalmer needs to be licensed in order to perform their duties. They must have a strong understanding of state and federal regulations regarding embalming and funeral services. They should also be able to communicate with grieving families with empathy and compassion. They must be able to follow strict hygiene and safety standards. They must also be able to work irregular hours, as they are often called in at any time of day or night.
They are licensed
Many families face many decisions at the time of a loved one’s death. To avoid these stressful decisions, it is a good idea to pre-plan your funeral arrangements. This can also help you save money by comparing prices from several funeral homes. It can also spare your survivors the stress of making those decisions while grieving.
Most funeral providers are honest and reputable, but some take advantage of consumers by charging inflated prices or adding extra charges for services or goods they don’t need. Fortunately, there is a law to protect consumers from these deceptive practices. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, which has been in effect since 1984, requires funeral directors and establishments to give consumers accurate itemized price information and other important disclosures about goods and services offered.
This set of guidelines, which include a sample General Price List (GPL), Casket and Outer Burial Container Price List, and Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected, are designed to assist funeral providers in complying with the Funeral Rule. The guidelines are not binding on the Commission.