Checklist for funeral arrangements: Making
the process of funeral planning simpler.
When a loved one dies, grieving family members and friends
are often faced with many decisions that must be made quickly and often under
great emotional duress. What kind of funeral service should there be? What
funeral provider should be used? Should the body be buried or cremated - or even
donated to science? What are you legally required to buy? What other
arrangements should be planned? And, most importantly for many of us - how much
will the total costs be? These questions among others, are just a few
of the issues we are confronted with in times of sorrow.
Funerals rank among the most expensive purchases many consumers will ever
make. The average cost for a traditional funeral, including a casket and
vault, is about $6,000. Extra items and products such as flowers, obituary
notices, acknowledgment cards or vehicles can add thousands of dollars to this
cost. Many funeral services have been known to run well over $10,000 and yet
many of us who can haggle over the price of a new car with a dozen car dealers
to get the best price, will feel uncomfortable when it comes to comparing prices
or negotiating over the details of funeral costs. Adding to this discomfort is
the fact that some people tend to "overspend" on a funeral or burial because
they think of it as a reflection of their feelings for the deceased.

This website is designed to help answer some of the questions outlined above, as
well as provide you with information to make financially sound funeral decisions
- so that you are not put into a position of being taken advantage of as you
make final preparations for a dearly departed.
I will begin the process by using a
a checklist for funeral arrangements as outlined below:
-
Step One: The FTC Funeral Rule
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Step Two: Types of Funeral Services
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Step Three:
The Average Funeral Cost
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Step Four:
Choosing a Funeral Service Provider
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Step Five:
Funeral Products: Embalming, Caskets,
Cremation, Vaults, Liners &
Burial Plots
-
Step Six:
Funeral Planning Checklist
Note: If, at any time during the funeral preparation process, you feel
you need additional assistance, there are
several business, professional and consumer groups available to you.
Review some of the larger groups and organizations here. Should any
problems arise during the funeral preparation process, remember that there are
federal,
state and local agencies ready to help you resolve such matters.
Let's proceed with Step One:
The FTC Funeral
Rule
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Checklist for Funeral Arrangements