By Susan Mellen

Funeral costs seem to have spiraled out of control, with a traditional farewell now often costing upwards of $10,000 to $15,000. But it is still possible to plan an appropriate and meaningful tribute to a loved one without spending a fortune, say the experts.

“The important thing is to be sure the ultimate cost is under your control. Then it’s possible to arrange an appropriate funeral for much less than you might think,” comments George Clarke, executive director of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, an association of funeral directors from around the globe.

Clarke counsels that, when planning a funeral, you should approach decision-making “as you would when planning any other event in life—by first gathering all the information you can and by knowing your rights.”

Knowing Your Rights

When approaching funeral planning, it’s important to know that the funeral industry is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission under the “Funeral Rule.” A set of guidelines adopted by the agency in 1984, the Funeral Rule affords consumers the right to choose the funeral goods and services; the right to receive information regarding any items that are required by law; the right to use a casket purchased from another source; the right to have alternative containers available from funeral providers that perform cremation and the right to receive a General Price List before any decisions and/or purchases are made.

A minimum of sixteen standard items—along with their prices—make up the General Price List. This document gives you a financial baseline to use in comparing prices at competing providers.

Taking the Time to Make the Right Decisions

Clarke notes that it’s important to “take the time you need to make the right decisions about this important event.” All too often, he says, families feel they have to make instantaneous decisions, at a time when the effects of grief can make decision-making an especially daunting task. And quick decisions, he says, can lead to added, often unnecessary expenditures.

“Your funeral director should make you feel you have the time you need to plan exactly the right tribute, without spending more than you can really afford,” he says.

One way to smooth the decision-making process is by pre-planning your own farewell. In some cases it is possible to lock in today’s prices for a service down the road (See Making It Easier on Your Loved Ones: Planning Your Own Farewell). But Clarke cautions that it is important to share these plans with your loved ones. “Sometimes, people work with a director to plan their own funeral, without letting family members know. Then, when family members come in after their loved one’s death, there can be more—rather than less—confusion.”

The critical point to remember in funeral planning, Clarke concludes, is that “you should be in control of the costs. If you know your rights and take your time in making decisions, you can plan a fitting memorial that’s perfectly affordable.”

This entry was posted on Monday, January 1st, 2007 at 9:01 am and is filed under Planning a funeral. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.