News & Funeral Costs: No Laughing Matter

Published in the Washington Post, October 18, 2003

Last month the National Funeral Directors Association named Tony Randall as its spokesman [Style, Sept. 25]. What a PR dream: A comedian who promotes "fun funerals" and lightens the mood.

But the reality is quite different. When it comes to funerals, consumers have little to laugh about.

Each year our organization conducts a price survey of mortuaries in Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia. This year we looked at 84 and found that more than half had major violations of the Federal Trade Commission's "funeral rule," which mandates itemized price lists with prescribed wording and specific options and disclosures. The goal of the funeral rule is to protect consumers' rights to purchase only what they wish and to receive forthright and accurate information -- such as the fact that embalming is rarely required by law.

What types of violations did we find?

For starters, a handling fee for those who purchase caskets outside a funeral home. Such a fee is illegal, yet we saw it on many a price list, presented in such a way that only consumers familiar with the funeral rule would spot it.

We also found price lists without the required entry for a less costly "immediate burial." One funeral home, in glaring violation of this requirement, listed instead "Package A," which included more services, such as embalming, and hence a higher price.

And we were saddened by a trend, though not an FTC violation. A growing number of morticians charge extra after tissue donation if a viewing will be held. These charges typically range from $50 to $150, but some want $200 to $300, with one demanding an exorbitant $790. Isn't it ironic that families must pay more when making a gift of kindness? Shouldn't transplant centers pay this tab?

At hearings in 2000 on the funeral industry, Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said it well:"Death is an unwelcome subject, but so is a big funeral bill."

It would help if all morticians complied with simple rules to make funeral buying fair. Then consumers could join Tony Randall and have something to smile about.

Nancy J. Herin
President, Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maryland & Environs