Here is some info on a recent Newsweek article, and consumer info on the funeral cost. An article appeared on the web in Newsweek, with the focus on consumers and funeral cost. This comes from finalembrace.com.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/144482
“Most of us read stories like this and shake our heads, hoping that the general public doesn’t fall for these trumped up reports. I think that we’re being just a little bit foolish. Mr. Slocum has nothing better to do with his time than stir up more unwarranted concern and fear, in an attempt to garner more memberships, sell more books (over 5300 publications sold in 2006) and solicit more donations which pay his salary.
The general public needs to know that there are tens of thousands of local, family-owned funeral homes that work hard every day (and night) to see to every detail at their time of need. And the employees, managers and officers of just over 2000 corporately-owned firms are providing similar services.
The employees of the Funeral Consumer’s Alliance rely upon donations from scared individuals to pay their bills. Funeral professionals rely upon satisfied and comforted neighbors to keep their families fed.
One group peddles fear and scare tactics. The other offers hope, comfort and peace-of-mind.
Which is more noble?–Tim from final embrace.com
http://finalembrace.com/blog/
It is not really all that black and white. In fact like most things it is grey.
Funeral Directors do not generally inform folks of their funeral options. They avoid talking about consumer rights. and the funeral rule and yes home funerals.
More from final embrace:
“As someone who sits on the board of a local charity, I also have issues with any organization that calls itself a charity, but spends so much of its income on overhead. The Red Cross has gotten flack for spending just $0.10 of every dollar on administrative costs, but it appears that for the FCA, that amount is significantly higher.
I think we can all agree that we want our consumer families to make the best, most well-informed decisions possible. The question is whether or not they are hearing all sides of the story.”-Michelle Carter
Michelle Carter is the former owner of the Center For Transition, a grief counseling and funeral consulting company. A licensed funeral director, Michelle is now the Assistant Manager of the E.O. Curry Funeral Home in Peekskill, NY.”
http://finalembrace.com/blog/
Michelle Carter is a former independent contractor operating with a new funeral home. She is an example of how your funeral cost can be lowered by engaging a funeral director without a traditional funeral home.
More info can be found here on all sides of the story including average funeral cost.:
Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak. #1 International Best Selling Author Jason Oman also gave thumbs up to this book. This book is published by Morgan James Publishing.
Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois
The “Google Books Search” give a look inside the book.
http://books.google.com/books?q=r+brian+burkhardt&btnG=Search+Books
Besure to let me know about your lower cost funeral.
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Your Funeral Guy: Newsweek article creates Funeral, Cost, FCA controversy.
5 JulOn July 3rd 2008, Newsweek did an article creating a funeral, funeral cost and FCA- Funeral Consumer Alliance stir. The picture of the biodegradable casket gives you a look at future funeral cost. Joshua Slocum of the Funeral Consumers Alliance also did a great Job handling comments after the article appeared. Slocum is a true Funeral Futurist. The article is Called “A Serious Undertaking.”
Quoting from the Newsweek Article:
“the annual conference of the Funeral Consumers Alliance, a watchdog group for the death-care industry that advocates simple, personalized and environmentally sound alternatives to the typical American burial.”
Joshua Slocum is exactly correct when the article quotes him:
“I want people to be shocked,” Slocum says, “that in some states, the body belongs to the mortuary by state law. And once a funeral director has got a body in the door, it’s over.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/144482
As stated in the Book Rest in Peace Insiders Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral Once the Funeral Director puts your loved one on the mortuary cot, The funeral cost clock starts running.
Two books can help here with the average cost of a funeral.
Rest in Peace: Insider’s Tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral by R Brian Burkhardt and Matt Bacak
Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois
Be sure to let me know how you achieved low funeral cost.
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