More Sympathy GiftsPurchasing a Casket Online
Funeral homes provide us with important services that are essential for the memorial of a loved one. While these services are essential to a dignified memorial for your loved one, it is important to remember families have options. Much like any other product or service, families are entitled to deciding where these products such as caskets come from. Since most funeral homes are in the business of providing a service, the cost of memorial products can vary dramatically from each funeral home provider.
No matter where you buy a casket from, it is important to remember the primary purpose, to provide a dignified way to transfer the deceased before burial or cremation. During such an emotional time, it is easy to come under the misnomer that spending more on a casket is simply a conveyance of love.
The Federal Trade Commission passed a bill into law called "The Funeral Rule". This Funeral Rule was established to help protect consumers. There are a few important things stated in the Funeral Rule in regards to caskets:
- You have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want (with some exceptions).
- The funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.
Since caskets are often the most expensive funeral item purchased, families have been increasingly turning to alternative sources such as the internet. The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to agree to use a casket you bought elsewhere, and doesn't allow them to charge you a fee for using it. This is a federal law which all funeral homes must comply with. Not only does the provide families with much more flexibility, but also the ability to literally save thousands of dollars.
