Whether your funeral needs are immediate or you are planning for the future, one of the most important questions you can ask is whether a funeral home is independent or is owned by a corporation. A 2017 report from the Consumer Federation and the Funeral Consumers Alliance which surveyed prices of 103 independent funeral homes in 10 major metropolitan areas, comparing them to prices at 35 funeral homes owned by Service Corporation International – SCI – in the same cities. The study found that median prices a funeral home owned by SCI, which most often uses the name Dignity Memorial, were 47 to 72 percent higher than at the independent funeral homes.
The Federal Trade Commission also advises “Many funeral providers offer various ‘packages’ of goods and services for different kinds of funeral services.” “When you arrange for a funeral, either at time of need or before, you have the right to buy goods and services separately. That is, you do not have to accept a package that may included items you do not want.”
Legacy of Love – Funeral Planning is able to assist in all pre-planning and time of death decisions to give you peace of mind your wishes are honored in a cost efficient manner.
Other Important Questions to Ask Your Funeral Provider:
May I have a copy of your General Price List?
A funeral home is required by law to provide one.
If prices for caskets and urns are not on that list, may I have a list of those prices?
Required by law.
Do I have options as far as embalming, viewing, cremations, and type of funeral or memorial services?
An itemized price list must be provided.
Do you work with insurance companies?
A policy benefit might need to be assigned to the funeral home.
Are all of your services handled in-house or outsourced to vendors?
It’s possible your cost for some services could increase if the funeral home contracts outside for them.
Can I customize the funeral services?
Some arrangements are included and others will require additional costs. Military Honors do not add cost.
Does a child’s funeral cost the same?
There is little difference between adult or child funeral costs.
Does Social Security pay for Funeral Costs?
You may receive $255 lump sum.
Does Medicare or Medicaid cover funeral costs?
Because this is not a medical expense Medicare or Medicaid does not cover funerals.
Who is legally responsible for funeral costs?
If a Will or Trust exists, the executor is responsible. If not, any next of kin is responsible.
