Embalming Q: Is embalming always required?
Q: What is meant by guaranteed and nonguaranteed prices? A: Some preneed arrangers may agree that certain prices are guaranteed. Some may guarantee the price of the total package. Other funeral homes may not guarantee any prices. Guaranteed prices are those that will not increase at the time of an individual’s death. Basically, this means that the funeral arrangement for those items will be covered by, and will not exceed, the funding and the interest it earns. Nonguaranteed prices are those that might increase or decrease. The nonguaranteed prices may be written in at the time of the contract, with an understanding that the price is an estimate only and may increase or decrease. A settlement to that effect may have to be made with one’s family or representative after his or her death. Q: Can the preneed arranger and I negotiate a projected charge for the nonguaranteed items based on the rate of inflation? A: It is entirely up to the preneed arranger to inform the consumer of the funeral home policy in that regard. Caskets and containers Q: Do I have to buy a vault or a container to surround the casket in the grave? A: In most areas of the country, state and local laws do not require the purchase of a container to surround the casket in the grave. However, many cemeteries ask that you have such a container to support the earth above the grave. Either a burial vault or a grave liner will satisfy these requirements if they exist. Q: Is a casket required? A: A casket is not required for direct cremation. If arranging a direct cremation, a customer may use an unfinished wood box or an alternative container made of heavy cardboard or composition materials. The customer may also choose a canvas pouch. Q: Do certain cemeteries and crematoriums have special requirements? A: Some cemeteries and crematoriums may have policies that require certain goods and services be purchased. If the consumer decides not to purchase goods and services required by a cemetery or crematorium, he or she has the right to select another location that has no such policy.
A: Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be
necessary, however, when selecting certain funeral arrangements, such as viewing or open-casket visitation. The customer does not have to pay for embalming if he or she did not approve it when selecting arrangements, such as a direct cremation or immediate burial. If the funeral home must charge to conduct an embalming, the customer’s designee will be notified of the reasons in writing. Assistance Q: This is all very confusing to me. May I pick someone close to me to help with all of this? May this person also work with the funeral home to ensure that my wishes as written in the preneed contract are carried out? A: You may designate in writing a person of your choice to work with the funeral home and preneed arranger either before or after your death to ensure that your wishes are fulfilled. You must sign the statement and have it notarized. The designated person must agree to this in writing. Under the laws governing preneed contracts, the designated individual has the final authority at the time of your death. For more information, see the following additional resources ● Federal Trade Commission CRC-240 Washington, D.C. 20580 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/industry/funerals ● AARP 601 E St. NW
Washington, DC 20049 Phone: 1-800-424-3410 http://www.aarp.org/ ● National Funeral Directors Association
13625 Bishop’s Drive Brookfield, WI 53005 Toll-free: 800-228-6332 http://www. Nfda.org/
EliteLearning.com/Funeral
Book Code: FAR0626
Page 14
Powered by FlippingBook