Feb 26, 2009 12:00 pm US/Eastern
Angie's List: Funeral Planning
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
No one really wants to think about funerals unless they have to. But advanced planning could be helpful.
In this weeks Angie's List report, Jim Donovan shows you how making some arrangements ahead of time could help emotionally and financially.
"Consumers should really do their homework when picking their funeral home. Often times we tend to pick one that another family member had used or one that it's convenient to our home. But you need to do your research that it's a viable funeral home, especially if you're preplanning - you want to be sure that the money you've invested is safe" said Angie's List founder, Angie Hicks.
And funerals can cost thousands of dollars. So you should shop around.
"And keep in mind they don't have to buy everything for the funeral in one place, the funeral home for example. They might buy the casket separate from the thank you notes and can potentially save themselves some money," said Hicks.
Eco-friendly burials may also save you a little.
"Now we're starting to see green or natural burial re-emerging. It's a tradition that dates back as old as The Bible, but we kind of neglected it for awhile and now the consumer is coming back and rethinking some of the decisions that they are making on final expense," said funeral services coordinator, Barbara Milton.
Tips for Choosing a Funeral Home:
One of the biggest mistakes consumers make when choosing a funeral home is picking a home because someone in your family used the same one, or because it's close to where you live. Shop around for a fair price.
- Pick a funeral home that can customize the service to your wants. Give favorable ratings to funeral homes who listen to their wishes, guide them through the majority of Angie's List members the planning process and carry out the plans with great care.
- Does the funeral home present you with pricing options? The Federal Trade Commission's "Funeral Rule" gives the consumer the right to an itemized price list over the phone or in person from a funeral home. Walk away from any funeral home that refuses to do this.
- Compile a funeral file that includes price lists from area funeral homes, consumer protection information and your wishes in writing. Make sure your family knows where you keep this file.
- Review and revise your decisions every few years as your tastes and budget change.
Tips for saving money on a funeral/memorial service:
- Planning a funeral ahead of time is going to save you the most money. Taking the time to explore your options now, while you're not in an emotionally fragile state, can really pay off.
- Another great way to save money on a funeral is shop around for a casket. You do not have to buy your casket from the funeral home. Consider checking the Internet to comparison shop - it's worth checking out your options.
- Avoid big funeral package deals that include of lot of unnecessary items. Do you really need to pay $40 for thank you notes, when you can stop by the store and get them for $10? If you do decide to go with a package, make sure they have itemized the value so you know what everything costs.
- Consider "greener" options: A burial can take place without the use of formaldehyde-based embalming, metal caskets and concrete burial vaults. Less expensive options include wood/wicker caskets and eco-friendly cremation urns.
- While prepaying for a funeral is a good idea - it has its risks. Consumers should do their research and weigh their options to make sure they're not paying inflated prices or being charged for unnecessary services. Maintain control over your funds to assure they will finance your funeral when the time comes and to confirm your money is protected.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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