SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California

August 8, 2019

FUNERAL SCAMS

Some unscrupulous fraudsters take advantage of families’ most trying times for their own monetary gain. To avoid being scammed it’s important to think clearly and beware of funeral scammers.

Even when everything is on the up-and-up, funerals and burials tend to be expensive. Unethical funeral fraudsters seek to collect more by overcharging for items, or tricking you into buying packages with extra features you don’t want or need.

The Funeral Rule, a regulation enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), requires funeral homes to disclose the cost of every item and service they provide, but they don’t always comply.

Many Americans seek to ease the burden on their families by arranging their funerals in advance and prepaying some or all of the costs. That might seem like a prudent choice, but prepaid plans have their own pitfalls. Regulations vary widely from state to state, and you might not be protected if, for example, the funeral home you dealt with goes out of business or you move out of the state where you bought the plan.

Warning Signs

*Dishonest funeral directors may insist you need to purchase a casket even if your loved one is being cremated (you don’t) or try upselling you to a pricy “protective” casket they claim will preserve the body longer (it won’t).

*A funeral director tries to make you feel guilty for not purchasing the most expensive products and services.

*You are not shown an itemized price list before you discuss arrangements.

Do’s

*Do shop around and ask questions. Funeral homes are required to provide price information over the phone if asked, and some post their price lists online.

*Do be wary of package deals that promise a discount on the casket; they often make up the difference in fees and unnecessary services. A funeral home cannot force you to buy a package that includes items you don’t want. *Do consider buying a casket or urn from a local store or online. You might pay less, and a funeral home can’t legally refuse your choice or require you to be present when it’s delivered.

*Do understand what you’re getting in a prepaid funeral contract. Does the plan cover only merchandise (like the casket and vault), or does it include services as well?

Don’ts

*Don’t be rushed into decisions. According to Consumer Reports, if the body is at a hospital morgue or with a coroner, you should have at least two days to make arrangements, and possibly a week or more. *Don’t be pressured into paying more than you want to spend.

*Don’t tell a funeral director in advance how much you’re prepared to spend. *Don’t buy a casket if your loved one is being cremated. The FTC says there’s no state or local law that requires one.

*Don’t be pressured into paying or agreeing to pay for embalming. No state mandates embalming, although the FTC notes that some do require it if a body isn’t buried or cremated within a certain period. #