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Tips for Making Funeral Arrangements
- Make
decisions in advance.
If you plan services in advance, you save someone else from making
difficult decisions at a time when grieving is more important. Also,
most of us would rather select more modest arrangements than would
a grief-stricken loved one, acting out of pain, guilt, or confusion.
Put your wishes in writing and give a copy to next of kin or other
responsible person, rather than putting it in a safety deposit box
where it will not be found in time. If you have assigned a Durable
Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC) decisions to someone other
than next of kin, be sure it gives your assigned agent the right to
carry out funeral arrangements. Check state laws--some of DPAHC's
are null and void at death!
- Consider
organ or body donation.
There are thousands of people waiting for donated corneas, kidneys,
and other organs. Contact The Anatomical Board of the State
of Florida (800-628-2594) for details.
If you choose to donate your body or organs to a medical institution,
verify that transportation costs will be covered and ask if cremated
remains will be returned to the family. Be aware that you must be
prepared for an alternate means of final disposition in case the body
is refused at the time of death.
- Shop
around for services.
By law, funeral directors must give you prices over the telephone
and provide an itemized price list of all services and merchandise
if you visit in person. Prices can vary dramatically, and you can
bargain. The funeral industry is BIG business; be aware that local
funeral homes may have been purchased by one of three international
conglomerates (without changing the name on the door) whose sole focus
is profit for shareholders. It helps to know the laws of your state.
For instance, embalming is rarely required by law; caskets are not
necessary for cremation; family members may legally transport a body.
If you have any doubt about information from Leon County funeral providers,
contact Funeral Consumer Association of Leon County.
- Preplan
but DON'T prepay.
You can make arrangements in advance and even negotiate a prince arrangement,
which must be renegotiated every few years, with a local provider.
But do NOT pay in advance. Instead, set up a Pay upon Death account
at your bank, or purchase a Certificate of Deposit (CD) with joint
ownership, or any number of other strategies, so that your money will
earn interest and give you some flexibility in case you move or change
your plans. There is almost NO situation where prepayment is advantageous
to the consumer.
- Investigate
cremation.
Because it can be accomplished without some of the more costly funeral
arrangements (embalming, casket, cemetery opening and closing, liner,
vault, marker, and perpetual care), cremation is becoming more and
more popular. Almost all religious communities now allow it. However,
recognizing that cremation is becoming more popular, some funeral
directors are tacking on additional costs to make cremation almost
as expensive as burial. If cost is a concern, look for "Direct
Cremation", without embalming, viewing, or casket. If
you do choose body burial, consider a "green burial", using
no embalming chemicals and a simple casket that returns to the earth
along with your remains.
- Buy
direct.
Most purchases made for you by a funeral director include a substantial
markup. If you choose burial, or wish to use more than the basic cardboard
box for cremation, price a casket with a local or national wholesaler
to be delivered within 24 hours (www.casketstores.com).
By law, funeral directors may not refuse a casket purchased elsewhere,
or change an acceptance fee. You may also be able to purchase cremation
services or cemetery plots directly at substantial savings. The same
goes for flowers & urns. The thousands of dollars you save can
be donated to charity.
- Do
it yourself.
Remember that all the paperwork--and most funeral director services--can
be coordinated by a family member or other legally designated person.
Family may prepare the body for viewing, have a funeral at home, and
transport the body to a cemetery or crematory. Of course, family or
friends may plan a meaningful memorial service in a church or any
other appropriate place. Besides realizing substantial savings, survivors
will have the opportunity to play a personal, caring, and healing
role in the death. Contact Funeral Consumer Assoication of Leon
County, or the Natural Deathcare Project (www.naturaldeathcare.org)
for more information.
- Verify
death benefits.
Veterans, union members, and others may have death benefit payments
available to spouses or next of kin. Most are not automatic and must
have applications filed, so prepare information for your survivors.
Small Social Security benefits are only to surviving spouses, minors,
or disabled children. If you have funeral insurance (NOT recommended!),
find out if the provider will refund unspent amounts to survivors.
- Be
creative.
Wakes, funeral services, and memorial services should honor the lives
of the deceased, while helping survivors begin the natural process
of grieving. They can be incredible, life-affirming experiences. They
do not have to be formal, awkward, or depressing. If you are working
with a priest, minister, or rabbi, ask for suggestions on making your
memorial service more personal and meaningful. Take time to celebrate
the life you have shared.
- Join
Funeral Consumer Association of Leon County!
FCALC has helped hundreds of area residents to become informed and
assertive consumers in the market place for funeral services and merchandise.
We are a voluntary, non-profit corporation under the laws of the State
of Florida and are certified by the Internal Revenue Service as tax
exempt. We have NO financial interest in any provider of funeral services
of merchandise. There is no charge for our services.
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