Your Funeral Guy: Corporate Funeral Homes-Use These Folks If You Must.

Generally I do not refer folks to a corporate funeral home. Sometimes however they are the only one in town. You can have a lower cost funeral at some corporate funeral homes. Choose this one first but only if your choices are limited.

Stewart Enterprises is the best choice. Presently I have no connection with Stewart Enterprises or SCI. The Funeral Industry as I have mentioned does not have a good reputation. Within the Funeral Industry SCI, Service Corporation International is known for it’s aggressive sales tactics. Please note. SCI and Stewart Enterprise Facilities are most often located near each other and are fierce competitors.

Here is my comments on Stewart Enterprises.

As a former employee of Stewart Enterprises I must say their focus was always on better service.

On the cemetery side there has been difficulties.I observed this first hand. However their tactics were never as brutal as SCI which I have witnessed.

In funeral arrangements their concern was for the family. Walking out of the arrangement conference I heard how did you help that family? Rather than How much did you sell?- the mantra of others (i.e. SCI) and companies I worked for.

Stewart has strict guidelines and standards for employees, and as an arranger I had access to family reviews of my own arrangement and service skills.

Yes they have good goals now. It appears that hiring a cremation specialist is a move towards a focus on giving great service on all types of services even those with less profit margin.

Lower cost funeral alternatives, a rising trend around the country are quickly being requested by the public. This continues to present itself in these difficult economic times.

Strategies for the days ahead appear to be well thought out. I need to mentioned  two consistent problems.

Problem #1 is preneed difficulties.  Please do not purchase a preneed policy especially from a funeral home. It appears that it will not take you to a lower cost funeral.  Being on the inside I saw instances of preneed fraud, which they skillfully dealt with and kept quiet and out of the press.

Problem #2 is executive and employee exchange with SCI. Focus often changed when these exchanges took place. Lower turnover will help this.

If they manage to handle more lower cost funeral deals, Stewart Enterprises will continue to survive and show growth in the recession.

I mention this so you can shop intelligently for a lower cost funeral. Be careful though Stewart Enterprises have a significant population of SCI people.

If you do not want to take my word on  SCI’s blame it on the customer attitude check out this snippet:

“”Was it that Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:STEI)was too unreasonable in insisting that Service Corporation International(NYSE:SCI) accept all financing risk in the transaction, as SCI claims? Or was it the declining state of the credit market, as Stewart claims?“

Clearly SCI blamed Their Customer Stewart Enterprise. This attitude  carries down to the funeral director level.

Check out an article on this subject now by Laura Cadden.

On the Flipside my experiences with SCI and Stewart Enterprises  led me to write the lower cost funeral book.

Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral

Remember to come in under the average cost of a funeral($8000.00 USD+) you generally need to avoid corporate funeral homes.

Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Your Funeral Guy:Do not Mourn Your Funeral Cost

“Please Do not Mourn your Funeral cost. Be Sure to Mourn Your Loved one Instead.” -Your Funeral Guy and Author. The death of a loved one is often a shock . Often the sticker shock of  a funeral adds to grief. I have stated that the average cost of a funeral in 2008 was $8,000+ USD.

A funeral is in one sense is  a must have product. In order to show respect to your loved one folks around the world are compelled to have a funeral. In order to assist the grieving process a funeral is a necessity.

The first step in addressing the cost of a funeral is to shop around. Some call it comparison shopping. The Funeral Industry makes this complex with their GPL or general price list.

In 2008 I have addressed Five things you need to know before shopping for a funeral shopping for a funeral.

They are :

1.The basics of the funeral process.

2) The two contracts at every funeral.

3). The basics of the funeral rule.

4). The No Decline Basic Services Fee.

5. How to Read a General Price List (GPL)

In 2009 you will find  Five things you need to do when shopping for a funeral:

1. Interpreting the GPL
2. Shop by Phone
3. Shop in Person
4. Shop alternative sources
5. Shopping internet sources.

Recently I found one of the great funeral cost articles on “Shopping for a funeral” in  2008:

“Here’s a little test of your frugality: What frightens you more? A) Dying. B) The price of your funeral.If you answered B, congratulations and welcome to“…..your lower cost funeral.

Check out the full story here.

With no disrespect, just because you are dead does not mean you have to stop shopping.

Blog by Your funeral Guy, Funeral Director,  Author.

Your Funeral Guy: Best Way to Come in Under the Average Cost of A Funeral

The best way to come in under the average cost of a funeral is to find a lower cost funeral home. These are growing fast in the funeral industry.

Those funeral homes that are hanging on to traditional funeral cost are running into problems. Those that offer lower cost funeral options are finding a measure of success. A contributing factor here is the economic downturn.

A Funeral like groceries is a must have product. Just like groceries you can find lower cost options.

In a recent interview with a National United States News Magazine I stated that lower cost funeral homes are doing well and that those funeral homes sticking to traditional services and costs are having a harder time.

According to a recent article in Ohio, those funeral homes with lower cost options have sales that are actually up in this economy.

Snippet: “‘While people can’t avoid death, they can choose to spend less on a funeral,” said Ren Newcomer, owner of Newcomer Funeral Homes and Crematories, a low-cost national chain with an Akron location.His business is up 9 percent this year, a jump that Newcomer attributes to the economy. The average cost of a funeral in 2006 was $7,300, while the average cost at Newcomer is $4,500, he said.”

Please check out this article.

The Funeral Industry sometimes encounters less risk because of life insurance policies. There is often a trick employed with life insurance policies at the funeral home. Funeral Directors have a form that makes them the first beneficiary. Many times they will say “purchase the best the life insurance will pay for it.” This will not take you to a lower cost funeral.

Make sure you remain the first beneficiary, then pay the funeral director.

Blog by Your Funeral Guy, Author, Funeral Director.

Your Funeral Guy: Stewart Enterprises Shows No Profits.

Stewart Enterprises shows no profits in 2008. This is not a good sign for lower funeral cost. Odds are the second largest funeral  corporation will raise your funeral cost in 2009.

“NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 19, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEI) reported today its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 31, 2008.The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations for fiscal year 2008 of $3.7 million.”

If you use one of the Stewart Enterprises Funeral Homes in 2009 you most likely will encounter higher funeral costs and expenses. Remember most Corporate Funeral Homes still carry a family name.

It is extremely important that you ask “Is this a corporate funeral home?” when shopping for a funeral. Corporate funeral homes usually charge more for a Funeral. There are exceptions. Sometimes Family run Funeral Homes Charge more. There are also exceptions I have worked for low cost funeral homes as well as high cost funeral homes at Stewart Entrprises International. It is important to investigate closely when shopping for a funeral home.

Note: Stewart Enterprises gained some profits on the funeral side of their business but lossed on the cemetery side.

Losses were a direct result of (SCI) Service Corporation International  (Largest Funeral Corporation)  pulling their offer to purchase Stewart Enterprises. This was reported on October 9th 2oo8.  At that time Stewart Enterprises stock plummeted.

The bottom line the scenario brings chaos to the Funeral Industry. It is already an industry that consumers are shaking down.

Blog by Your Funeral Guy.

Check out an article on this subject now and Laura Cadden’s interview with the CEO of Stewart Enterprises.

Your Funeral Guy: 5 of Five Things You need to Know Before Shopping for a Funeral

Five of Five  things You need to know before shopping for a funeral to lower your funeral cost. One of the  main things to know is how to read a general price list. The Average cost of a funeral in 2008 is $8,000+ USD. In order to come in under the average cost of a funeral one needs to be able to read, understand and compare general price lists.

As mentioned in an earlier post the basic services fee or indeclinable  fee is the key price point and key comparison point in the general price list.

Funeral Homes are required by law to give you a General Price List any time you visit a funeral home. If you request the information by phone they are required to give you the information over the phone. Under the funeral rule they do not have to mail it to you. Many a Funeral Home will mail you a GPL or a General Price List out of courtesy. There are  Sixteen items required on the General Price list  under the Funeral Rule, Nine main ones are listed here.

1. general services fee
2. embalming cost,
3. cost of transferring your loved one to the funeral home,
4. price of a visitation
5. cost of funeral or memorial service
6. cost of graveside services
   
7. the cost of use of  funeral vans, hearse, cars and all other funeral vehicles
8. Other offered goods and services. (caskets, urns, video tributes, guest, memorial books & cards associated with the funeral, webcasting, flowers, etc.)
9. Funeral packages(funeral packages generally lower the price of some items and raise the price of others.)

In addition according to the Federal Trade Commission or  FTC  certain disclosures to aid in price shopping must be made.

• Anyone must select only the goods and services desired
• Consumers must be notified that Embalming is not required by law ( and only certain special cases)
• A “general  services fee” will be added to any items purchased
• “Alternative containers,” such as those made of cardboard, pine or other products  are available for direct cremation
• A Casket Price List is available for all who come into the funeral home
• A Vault price list must be available to the customer(public)

These requirements are for funeral homes not all merchants in the funeral industry.

In the future we will consider Five Ways to Shop for a Funeral:

1. Interpreting the GPL
2. Shopping by Phone
3. Shopping in Person
4. Shopping alternative sources
5. Shopping internet Sources.

Remember all funeral directors do not follow the funeral rule, the law.

This has been Five of Five  things You need to know before shopping for a funeral. The basics of the funeral process.2) The two contracts at every funeral. 3). The basics of the funeral rule. 4). The No Decline Basic Services Fee. 5. How to Read a General Price List (GPL)

Blog by Your Funeral Guy, author, funeral director

Your Funeral Guy: Will The Funeral Industry Demand a Bailout or Did They Get One?

Funeral Directors may have to ask for for a funeral cost bailout. It is quite evident that folks around the USA are asking for the lower cost funeral.  It can be said that some funeral directors already have received a funeral cost bailout.

A bailout to the Funeral Industry will contribute to the distrust of Funeral Directors. The Funeral Industry has had some credibility hits this Year. The Illinois Funeral Directors Association IFDA Preneed Trust Mismanagement Debacle, The National Prearranged Services Scandal  and a recent Neptune Society Scandal in Colorado.

NFDA Secretary Randal Earl stated that this is the worse time for funeral directors in  over 30 years. Now what was happening over 30 years ago is quite a mystery. Thanks to and according to the Guardian Newspaper (UK) reporting from New York.- New York Funeral Directors may be asking for a bailout on funeral cost in the near future. In the article specific industries are named that may need a bailout.

“Bereaved relatives are cutting back on the size and scale of send-offs as they worry about the cost of elaborate services. Traditionally, a typical package included a viewing of the body, a funeral and a graveside service. As times get tough, many people leave out the viewing, according to Randall Earl, secretary of the National Funeral Directors Association.”

“We had a slowdown in the early 1980s. There was some effect then, but nothing like it is now,” said Earl, who runs a funeral home in Decatur, Illinois. He balked, however, at the idea of getting a handout from Paulson’s fund. “I would not like to see that happen,” he said. “The funeral profession, for the most part, are small business people who are entrepreneurial in their own areas and they’ve come through tough times.”

You can check out the full  article here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/dec/24/credit-crunch-global-recession

Maybe the Secretary of the National Service Directors Association got a bailout already. His Funeral Home as part of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association got a bailout.

Here is why:

The Funeral Industry had a bailout on Dec. 5th 2008. Like all bailouts there is a condition.

Merill Lynch was purchased by the Bank of America and it went through on DEC 5th 2008. Recently the IFDA Preneed Trust was taken on by Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust. Merrill Lynch became the trustee of the IFDA Preneed Trust on November 3rd, 2008.

The IFDA Mismanaged the IFDA Preneed Trust and the license was removed by Comptroller of the State of Illinois and taken away from the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. The Reason for this was a 40 Million Loss plus of funds in the IFDA Preneed Trust. This happened in February 2008.

In November I questioned the wisdom of Merrill Lynch as trustee. Merrill Lynch has long had history of being invovled with troubled assets.

Bank of America was bailed out by the US Treasury to the tune of 25 Billion USD.

Bank of America appears to have accepted the IFDA Preneed Trust, trustee agreement with Merrill Lynch.The almost 300  million trust fund will be bailed out. This means the funeral industry got a bailout via Bank of America and Merril Lynch. The US TREASURY BEING THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.. Note The bank of America could still reject the IFDA agreement with Merril Lynch. One could say that the bailout may have a condition

Maybe the Secretary of the NFDA already had his bailout with the condition of course.

By the way I believe the Funeral Industry needs regulation not a bailout. Just like Wall Street there was essentially no regulation in the Funeral Industry under the Bush Administration.

Blog by Your Funeral Guy, Funeral Director, Author

(update Dec 26th  Here is what the Bank of America says about this: There must be full shareholder approval: “The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2009. It has been approved by directors of both companies and is subject to shareholder votes at both companies and standard regulatory approvals.”

The Link is here: http://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=8255

Your Funeral Guy: Holidays Tough on Funeral Cost.

Quite often the holidays are tough on Funeral Cost. Last year many friends admonished me not to blog on the lower cost funeral. It is an inside secret among funeral directors that the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years day  are the busiest time of year for the funeral director.

This year because of the economic down turn folks have been turning to the low cost funeral. This is one reason I am continuing to blog.

Last year several friends, bloggers and acquaintances all experienced what Funeral directors know well. The sudden death scenario of the holidays. Is it the stress, do people just give up? Drunk Driving?  There is much speculation.

Here is why I am continuing to blog.

The sudden death scenario at the holidays can affect  anyone. I pray that it does not come to your family at anytime. If you need help with funeral cost be sure to find it. My best to you.

Have a good holiday.

Your Funeral Guy.

Your Funeral Guy: #4 of Five things You need to know before shopping for a funeral.

Lower the Average Cost of a Funeral Watch Nondeclinable Fee! The key to a lower cost funeral is finding a funeral home or service  that has a low professional service fee or sometimes referred to as the “basic funeral services fee.” It can be said that you cannot come in under the average cost of a funeral if there is a high professional service  fee. This post covers #4 of Five things You need to know before shopping for a funeral.

The professional service fee can range from as little as $695 to as much as nearly $3,000, Some say it ranges from $700.00 USD to $1775  and it has to be paid — it’s “indeclinable.” So it is imperative when shopping for a funeral to find  services in the lower or end of the range.

The thing to always remember is that your total cost will be this fee plus the cost of the other services . If you want a direct  burial or cremation, choose the home with the lower up-front basic services fee. It is the best choice  not subsidize services you don’t use. If you want a more traditional high cost  funeral, look at the packages after looking at the professional service fee.

Remember A “basic services fee” will be added to any items purchased.

The funeral director and his or her staff usually provide basic funeral services and the specific situations listed below.

• Direct burial prices - This usually  ranges from $725–$2635.
• Direct cremation prices -This can range from $425–$2,255.
• Receiving the remains from another funeral home -This can range in price from $440–$2,040.
• Forwarding the remains to another funeral home- This can range in price from $780–$2,520.
• Use of funeral directors and staff at another location. $50.00 USD per hour- S3,000 USD. This includes church, VFW Hall, or community facility. If the funeral director charges the same fee for use at your church or their funeral home, leave for there is no lower cost funeral there.( If you stay you will come in on the high end of average funeral cost at church.)
• Funeral Costs generally occur on the General Price List or GPL which must be given to you over the phone or in person at funeral or cremation  facility.

In this post we have covered #4 of  5 things You need to know before shopping for a funeral. 1). The basics of the funeral process.2) The two contracts at every funeral. 3). The basics of the funeral rule. 4). The No Decline Basic Services Fee. 5. How to Read a General Price List (GPL)

Blog by Your Funeral Guy, Funeral director, author.

This will help you with your funeral costs /expenses and your finances and personal expenses.

More information like this can be found in “Rest in Peace Insiders Tips to the Cost Less Stress Funeral.”

Your Funeral Guy: Five Unconventional ways to lower funeral cost.

In this blog I have mentioned many ways to lower funeral cost. Here are some not so common ways: 1 Sell your Burial Plot and pursue cremation 2. Go to your county for assistance. 3. Join a consumer alliance  4. Prevent theft of personal property. 5.Do a Home Funeral with the help of the of a Funeral Director who specializes in home funerals.

1 Sell your Burial Plot and pursue cremation. With the economic downturn some folks are taking to selling their burial plots and turning  to cremation.  For some this works. This can be especially useful if you have burial plots you plan not to use.

2. Go to your county for assistance. Many counties provide funeral and burial assistance. Some counties are not so upfront about this. Yes you may have to persistently ask questions. Others are quite forthright.

3. Join a consumer alliance - Join a chapter of the Funeral Consumers Alliance. The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) offers excellent funeral cost savings information. Most importantly, less expensive does not mean less honor, less loved, or less service to your loved one. Check out FCA  info it helps.

4. Prevent theft of personal property. This happens more often than you might be aware. A current example is here. This is addressed in Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral. Be sure to keep track of your loved ones personal effects, rings. watches, cash, credit cards.

5.Do a Home Funeral with the help of the of a Funeral Director who specializes in home funerals.Some traditional funeral directors oppose home funerals. They say that most families do not have the strength to do this themselves.  If you have a director who has experience in the home funeral it can be accomplished without much difficulty.

These are Five off main street steps to lower funeral costs and funeral expenses. These will help you come in under the average cost of a  traditional funeral which is a $8,000.00 USD in 2008.

Your Funeral Guy.

Your Funeral Guy:#3 of Five Things to Know When Shopping For a Funeral

The Funeral Rule is a Congressional Law that protects your rights as funeral customer and helps you lower funeral cost. Many People are forced into lower cost funeral planning when someone suddenly dies. We must understand- that no one likes to think about death and many folks do not want  plan for it.  Even one hour of planning can save you thousands on a Funeral if the time is spent wisely.

The Funeral Rule, gives you the right  to choose only those goods and services you want or need and to pay only for those you select. This applies to making  arrangements when a death occurs It also is true if you choose to make arrangements and pay in advance (not recommended). Be sure to make your arrangements in advance but do not pay for them.

It is also very important under the funeral rule that you be shown a casket and vault price list.  By looking at these lists beforehand you can lower the cost of a traditional funeral and and the lower cost funeral option can be yours.

Many times funeral home owners do not show you all their caskets in the casket display or the casket room. Be sure to see the list. Some of the lower price caskets can be stored in the backroom or the basement.

Essentially the funeral rule gives you the right to compare prices among funeral homes, and makes it possible for for your lower cost funeral. This is done through the General Price list or the GPL. We will address that later.

Under this law,

The funeral rule states that you have the right to refuse embalming (in most jurisdictions)and the funeral director must state it in writing.

This is very important because it opens up the door to low cost funeral options of direct burial and cremation.

Here is my summary of Embalming and the funeral rule.

The main point about embalming is that it is a funeral cost you are not required to pay for. Again,  this is outlined in the funeral rule ( Congressional Law ) designed to protect your Funeral Rights

Many funeral directors require embalming if you are planning a viewing or visitation. Embalming generally is not necessary or legally required if the deceased body is buried or cremated shortly after death. Eliminating this  embalming service can save you many hundreds of of dollars. Under the Funeral Rule, a funeral director:

may not provide embalming services without permission; this sometimes happens.

may not falsely state that embalming is required by law; you should be informed of this by your funeral director.

must disclose in writing that embalming is not required by law, except in certain special cases;

may NOT charge a fee for unauthorized embalming unless embalming is required by law;

must disclose in writing that you have the right to choose another disposition, such as direct cremation or immediate burial, that does not require embalming if you do not want this service;

must in writing disclose that some funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing, may make embalming a practical and a safety necessity and, if so, a required purchase. Your Family can have a private viewing even without embalming.

This come from the experience of your funeral guy.

So whenever you go into a funeral to price shop or set up your funeral

“Make em follow the Rule” the funeral rule, it is the law in the USA.

Sadly some funeral home owners and funeral industry professionals do not follow the rule, the law.

Blog by Your Funeral Guy, Funeral Director, Author, State of Illinois

You  may find it best to check out the funeral rule.

Check out the facts for consumers.

Note you can effectively deal with lowering your Funeral costs and expenses. Take a few hours and deal with it.

Read the funeral book: Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral