Helpful Funeral Preparation Information
This is a topic no one wants to think about until it's something you have to think about. Thanks to Joyce Mitchell from Funeral Consumers Alliance of Utah for the helpful scenario and information.
Video presentation found here: Video about Funeral preparation
Heed this Cautionary True Story of a Utah Widow
Ring, Ring..
Volunteer: "Hello, This is ________ (name of
volunteer)."
Volunteer:
"Yes, how can I help you?"
Consumer: "I bought a funeral that
I can't afford for my husband because a ‘Helpful Relative’ said he would pay
for everything but now he refuses to pay."
Volunteer: "I'm so sorry. This is very common unfortunately. Did the
mortuary show you prices as you went along during the purchase?"
Consumer: "Well some, but I was afraid to say
anything. I believe the helpful relative thought he would get a good deal since
the Funeral Director is his cousin. I didn’t know what agreement they had so I
was hesitant to be picky. But I'm now
willing to pay half if he would just follow through"
Volunteer:
"Let me ask you two questions: According to Utah's Funeral Licensing Act
the funeral home is obligated to hand the consumer a General Price List
as soon as discussion of selections begins and it must be a copy that you can
keep and take home with you.
So did the funeral director give both
of you a price list to look over during the arrangements conference?"
Consumer: "No, I only saw an
occasional price as pages of caskets were flipped and pictures of flower
arrangements appeared...."
Volunteer:
"Not good. One more question. The
FTC Funeral Rule tells Funeral Directors they must give each consumer a
completed itemization of all Funeral Goods and Services Selected, with a final
total, at the end of the arrangements discussion.
Did you both receive this final
statement at the end of making selections?"
Consumer: "No, My Relative
received it in the mail and then asked the mortuary to send it to me
instead. That's when I found out how
much everything cost and that he expected me to pay. I would have made more modest selections had
I not felt pressured to please my Relative and his Funeral Director
cousin."
Volunteer: "Sounds like your relative was shocked
by the price too. I recommend talking to the Funeral Director about what the
law says he should have done with disclosures and see if he will reduce the
cost."
The above scenario ended well, this
time. This widow used the references I sent her to approach the Funeral
Director. The mortuary halved the price of the funeral; And the Helpful
Relative agreed to pay half of the new price.
Please friends, do not let others' promise of funds or discounts
influence you to spend more than you have in pocket.
See the 501C3 non-profit www.UtahFunerals.org for actions you can take right now to be prepared for the
day you find yourself or someone you love shopping for a funeral.
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