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If you are planning a funeral, you have many decisions
to make. You may feel overwhelmed and confused. Consider the following
when arranging a funeral:
Choose a funeral home where you feel comfortable. You and the funeral
director will have an arrangement conference held at either the funeral
home, your home or occasionally over the telephone. If you meet in person,
you will be given a General Price List and shown the merchandise available.
When you have completed making your selections, you will be given an
Itemized Statement that will include contractual language, which legally
obligates you to pay the cost of the funeral. If the arrangements have
been made by telephone, you will be given the General Price List when
you receive an Itemized Statement.
Following are some definitions, regulations and commonly asked questions
which will help you through this process. As the person paying for the
arrangements, you are the customer. You have rights. Don't be afraid
to shop around or ask questions.
Arrangement Conference
The meeting between you and the funeral director where you decide which
services and merchandise you would like.
Basic Arrangements Fee
The charge made by the funeral home for making all arrangements for
final disposition of the body. It covers the availability of the funeral
director, staff and equipment to respond to a death or inquiry. The
fee also includes the arrangement conference and securing necessary
authorizations such as filing the death certificate and getting permits.
You cannot decline this charge. Note: If you select direct burial or
direct cremation, the arrangements fee cannot be added since it is already
figured into the prices for these services.
Burial
Burial is the most common final disposition that is chosen. Costs associated
with burial include services such as grave opening/closing and/or perpetual
care (maintenance) of the gravesite. You will also be charged by the
funeral home for the purchase of a gravesite, if you buy it through
the funeral home.
Cash Advance Items
Items of service or merchandise the funeral home pays directly to a
third party, such as fees for the cemetery or crematory, death certificates
and clergy. The funeral home cannot profit on these items. Some funeral
homes require you to pay for these items before the funeral service.
If you choose, you may be able to pay some of these fees directly. Remember
to get receipts for all money you spend, whether to the funeral home
or a third party.
Casket Price List
The funeral home will present a printed or typewritten list prior to
viewing a casket. This list will provide a brief description of each
casket and alternative container (such as a cardboard or pressed wood
box) regularly offered by the funeral home. It must state the retail
price of each item offered.
Cemetery Deed
The cemetery deed is a document from the cemetery that establishes your
right to bury the deceased in the plot. If the funeral director has
the deed, he or she must return it to you within 7 days of the funeral,
unless you have made other prior agreements. Remember to keep the deed
in a safe place because they are difficult to replace.
Columbarium
A type of vault with spaces for storing urns containing ashes or cremains
(see "cremation" below).
Cremation
A process that reduces the body to skeletal fragments which are then
pulverized. These cremated remains may be buried, placed in a columbarium
or kept in your home. Some people choose to purchase an urn for the
cremains rather than use the container provided by the crematory. Charges
apply for the cremation and urn, if chosen, and space in a columbarium.
You may also dispose of the cremains in a manner that complies with
local health department or other regulations.
Custodial Care
A fee the funeral home may charge for days the body is being held and
no other services are being provided. This fee must be disclosed and
identified as a daily, weekly or one-time fee.
Customer
The person making funeral arrangements. The customer may be a family
member, legal representative or a friend legally designated by the decedent.
The customer will be legally responsible for the payment of the funeral
bill.
Customer's Designation of Intentions
A form the funeral director will complete if you select cremation. It
includes a space for "disposal of cremains" (what you plan
to do with them). You should be aware that 120 days following the cremation
the funeral home has the right to dispose of the cremains if you do
not claim them. This fact, and the manner of disposition, must be clearly
stated on the form. You must be given a copy of this form when arrangements
are made.
Direct Burial
The disposition of human remains by burial without formal viewing, visitation
or ceremony, except for a graveside service.
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation is the disposition of human remains by cremation without
formal viewing, visitation or ceremony.
Entombment
Burial in an above-ground crypt in a mausoleum or in a lawn crypt. There
will be a charge for the use of the crypt.
General Price List
A form listing the price (or range of prices) for all services and merchandise
offered by the funeral home. This form must be given to you at the beginning
of the arrangement conference. You may request a copy from a funeral
home when a personal visit is made. You do not need to complete funeral
arrangements to receive this form.
Itemized Statement of Services and Merchandise
A detailed outline of the specific goods and services you have chosen,
the price of each item and the total cost. Also included will be an
estimate of the cash advance fees to be paid on your behalf to third
parties. The Itemized Statement will serve as your contract.
Outer Interment Receptacle
An outer interment receptacle is a container in the ground where the
casket is placed. Vaults and grave-liners are some examples. Some cemeteries
require outer interment receptacles to prevent collapsing or sinking
of the grave. If you do not want to buy one, choose a cemetery that
does not require outer interment receptacles.
Outer Interment Receptacle Price List
A printed or typewritten list which the funeral home presents to you
before you discuss or are shown an outer interment receptacle. This
list will provide a brief description of each outer interment receptacle
regularly offered by the funeral home. It must contain the retail price
of each item offered.
Refrigeration Fee
A fee charged by some funeral homes for cooling the body when embalming
is not selected. If such a fee is charged, it must be stated up front
on the General Price List and the Itemized Statement. The customer may
decline this charge.
Topical Disinfection
Topical disinfection is an external cleansing of the body of which you
will be charged. There cannot be an additional charge for this service
when embalming is selected, since topical disinfecting is part of the
embalming process.
Transfer of Remains Fee
A fee for transportation of the body from the place where death occurred
(or from the airport or morgue) to the funeral home.
Who can make funeral arrangements?
The "customer." It's very important for family members to
agree about the type of services and merchandise to be purchased. Ideally,
the family should designate one person to make the arrangements and
convey the family decisions to the funeral director. The customer will
be responsible for payment of the bill.
Do I need a funeral director?
Yes. In the state of Minnesota, only a licensed and registered funeral
director may make funeral arrangements for the care, moving, preparation,
burial or cremation of a deceased person. At the least, the funeral
director will file the death certificate, transfer the body, coordinate
with cemetery or crematory representatives, make necessary preparations
and move the body to the cemetery or crematory.
Does the state of Minnesota require the use of a casket or outer
interment receptacle?
No, but many cemeteries require the use of a "suitable container."
Minnesota law allows for the use of an unfinished wooden box or an "alternative
container" made of cardboard, pressed wood, composition materials
or canvas and other material. Even though law does not require burial
vaults or grave liners, some cemeteries require them to prevent collapsing
or sinking of the grave. If you do not want to buy a burial vault, choose
a cemetery that does not require vaults.
Does State laws require embalming?
No. In fact, a funeral director must obtain specific approval to embalm
from the customer. A funeral home may require embalming if certain services,
such as a viewing an open casket, are chosen. Embalming fees must be
clearly stated on the firm's General Price List, Itemized Statement
of Services and Merchandise Provided.
Can the funeral director refuse to embalm the body?
No. The funeral home may not refuse to embalm or otherwise handle the
body, regardless of the cause of death. The home also may not charge
extra for preparing or handling the body of a person who has died from
an infectious disease, such as AIDS, hepatitis B or tuberculosis.
Can the funeral director refuse to allow me to view the body when
visitation has been selected?
No. While the funeral director may advise against a viewing due to the
cause of death or condition of the body, the final decision is left
to the customer.
Can I see the body for the purposes of identification?
Yes. No matter what funeral arrangements have been made, the customer
has the right to see the body briefly. If this process is prolonged,
the funeral director may consider it a viewing or visitation and a fee
will be required.
What will the funeral arrangements cost?
The cost of funeral arrangements varies greatly, depending on the funeral
home and type of service and merchandise chosen. For example, if the
service you select involves viewing the remains, the funeral home may
require embalming and preparation of the body, which can be expensive.
There is also a tremendous range in the price of caskets, depending
on style, type of wood, lining, etc.
Does the Minnesota State Department of Health set the charges?
No. While the Department of Health regulates the business and practice
of funeral homes, it does not regulate prices.
Can I rent a casket for a viewing?
Our funeral home has found lower cost alternatives to the rental casket.
We offer a wide selection of suitable caskets in a broad price range.
Can the funeral director criticize my selections?
No. It is illegal for funeral home staff to state or imply that any
merchandise they offer for sale is unsatisfactory in any way.
Are there other actions that are illegal for funeral homes?
Yes. Illegal actions include:
- Pressuring the customer to select certain
services or merchandise;
- Charging an additional fee for filing or
medically certifying the death certificate;
- Charging a "handling fee" for
paying third parties on your behalf;
- Charging a fee for handling a casket provided
by the customer;
- Charging for any service or merchandise
not selected by the customer;
- Charging interest on an outstanding balance
unless this charge is disclosed at the time the funeral arrangements
were initially made and is stated in the Itemized Statement;
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Remember:
- You do not have to accept services or merchandise you don't want.
- You must be informed of all charges in advance.
- Always get a receipt
Do I need more than one copy of the death certificate?
Probably. You will need to give certified copies to insurance companies,
banks, etc. The funeral home may obtain them for you. They cannot charge
you more than the actual fee, which is $11 for the first copy and $5
for every copy thereafter in the state of Minnesota. Death certificates
are filed by the funeral director with the registrar of Vital Records
in the locality where the death occurred.
Can I prepay my funeral?
Yes. Prepayment can lift much of the financial burden from your survivors.
This allows you to select the type of funeral arrangements you want.
Pre-need plans are regulated by the Pre-Need Funeral Consumer Protection
Act.
Can the funeral home change arrangements without my permission?
No. The funeral director must obtain your approval before making any
substitutions or changes.
What if the deceased wanted to donate organs?
It is important to honor the wishes of people who want to donate all
or part of their bodies upon death. Those who want to be donors should
carry organ donor cards, sign the donor space on the back of their licenses,
include their wishes in their wills, and inform family members. For
more information on organ donation, call 1-800-24-DONOR (1-800-243-6667).
What if I decide to change funeral homes?
You have the right to change funeral homes at any time. You will need
to pay for any services that have already been done (for which you had
given prior approval). The funeral home must allow the transfer of the
body to another funeral home, even if you haven't paid yet. They may
not hold the body in exchange for payment.
How expensive are funerals?
A funeral is only as expensive as you want it to be. We have included
a sample copy of our General Price List. At the time funeral arrangements
are made, you will select which items of service and merchandise (e.g.
casket) you desire, which will add to the cost. If you would like a
copy of our current price list, please call us.
Funeral expenses are generally broken down into three major categories:
- Non-Declinable Funeral Home Charges
- Declinable Funeral Home Charges
- Cash Advanced Items (e.g. cemetery charges; clergy honorariums; obituaries;
transportation; etc)
Funeral Home charges are for the services and merchandise
provided to you by the funeral home. Cash Advanced items are expenses
you incur from other agencies or businesses and are NOT PART OF THE
FUNERAL HOME'S CHARGES (N.B. Some choices may require you to purchase
other additional items). It is becoming policy of most funeral homes
that you pay cash advanced items prior to the day of the funeral as
these charges may add upward of $1,000.00 to the cost of the funeral.
They are required by other businesses and agencies to be paid at the
time their services are rendered.
Typical Casket Selection Room
Caskets can be the single most expensive item added to your funeral
bill. Caskets and/or alternative containers will range in price from
under $200 to exceeding $5,000. The reason the cost of caskets vary
so widely is chiefly dependent on the material from which they are made
(e.g. cardboard, wood or metal), the type of interior materials that
the caskets are lined with and whether the casket is protective or non-protective.
You decide how much you will spend, depending on your tastes and the
quality you wish to purchase. If you would like a current copy of our
price lists, please call us. The format of this price list is one recommended
by the Federal Trade Commission and the Minnesota State Department of
Health. All funeral homes are required to give you a copy of their price
lists upon request
What is the purpose of a funeral?
A funeral is a tribute to a life that has been lived. The funeral is
actually for the survivors, as it helps them cope with their grief stages.
Why are funerals so expensive?
Although laws vary from state to state, the Federal Trade Commission
is currently one of the regulating agencies overseeing funerals. Funeral
homes are required to itemize their funeral charges so the consumer
has the ability to arrange a funeral that will suit their needs, both
emotionally and financially. You, the customer, decide what you will
be spending.
Is embalming necessary?
Minnesota law does not require embalming, but embalming may be required
by the funeral home if you select certain funeral arrangements, such
as a funeral with open casket visitation.
Is cremation the way of the future?
Cremation is certainly on the rise. In many large cities, the shortage
of grave space is creating a need to use cremation as a means of disposition,
due to the high cost of cemetery space. Traditional values have changed
and now cremation is not considered any different than earth burial.
I would like to have a traditional funeral, but with cremation as
a means of disposition?
Many people assume if they select cremation, the only form of memorialization
is a memorial service. This is not true. You may have an open casket
calling hours (wake), a funeral service in a church or other traditional
funeral options, while still using cremation as a form of disposition.
I hear that more and more people are pre-planning their own funerals,
is that true?
Yes. Over the past ten years pre-arrangement has been increasing steadily.
One of the major reasons is to relieve the burden for their survivors.
The burden of deciding the type of funeral, place of funeral, etc. Another
reason is price. Some funeral homes will guarantee if you pre-pay the
funeral now, you will not be charged an increase in dollars at the time
of death. There are basically three types of pre-arranged funerals:
- The funeral is completely arranged and paid in advance;
- The funeral is completely arranged and partly pre-paid;
- The funeral is arranged, but will be paid for at the time of death;
All options let your wishes be known and relieve the burden for your
survivors.
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