Your Funeral Guy: Save on Funeral Cost- Refuse Embalming

It always amazes me when people say they did not know they have the right to refuse embalming and save on funeral cost. Under a body of Congressional law called the funeral rule…You can refuse embalming and choose other options. This is back to the funeral cost basic of refusing embalming and harmful chemicals on the environment. After refusing embalming you can

1. Have a closed casket.

2. Choose cremation.

3 Have a home funeral where the deceased is packed in ice.

4. Have a memorial service at an alternate location such as a church.

The Peoples Memorial Association from the State of Washington has some good advice on all of this. Here is the link to helpful information.

http://www.peoples-memorial.org/planning_tips.cfm

More helpful funeral information can be found here:

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

Be sure to let me know how you lowered the cost of your funerals.

Your Funeral Guy: Call Funeral Directors to honesty on Funeral Cost

Your Funeral Guy: Call Funeral Directors to honesty on Funeral Cost

Recently I thanked a Funeral Director on another blog for his honesty on Funeral Cost.

Here is what I said it is worth repeating here:

“Thank you for your honesty.

we share a trust level well short of that of mechanics, stockbrokers, real estate and insurance agents. This information should be a wake up call.

Only a few in our profession are this honest and candid. On another blog on this site I have mentioned & commented on some scandals. They are the result of the sins of more than a few. Let it be known that inspite of some blogs and comments that are tough, I have withheld information from the media on these events. Instead I have called on Leaders in the Funeral Industry to be honest. You sir are a part of the city set on the hill.

Your ethics are appreciated. I love helping families and for that reason I wrote a new book called Rest in Peace. In this work I declare that there are honest ethical funeral directors like yourself who are willing to embrace the changes that are to come!”

It is my hope that the ILLINOIS FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION (IFDA )will embrace ethics and honesty.

Right now I just find myself too busy helping folks lower the cost of their funerals…to keep up with this.

The IFDA knows the changes that are coming.

To the IFDA I Wish you the best.

There will be blogs here from time to time as things become public on the IFDA Funeral cost issue and the “IFDA Preneed Trust.”

The IFDA has had it’s wake up call.

Earlier this year it came out that the IFDA- had mis managed 40 Million Dollars of the folks “IFDA Preneed Trust” money in Illinois.

Beware of organizations like the IFDA in keeping Funeral Directors Honest and keeping your lower cost funeral Specific State Senator Randall Hulfgren refused to take action on this along with hultgrenfh. Hultgren Funeral Home is not the only culprit. Trimble Funeral Homes www.trimblefuneralhomes.com had family on the IFDA committees and has refused comment on the IFDA Preneed Trust situation inspite of positve press from…Quad-City Dispatch

More information on keeping funeral directors honest can be found here 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

Your Funeral Guy Dear Abby opposes Trolling for Preneed Funeral Cost.

Dear Abby opposes Trolling for Preneed Funeral Cost. Even the National Funeral Directors Association( NFDA did an article on this one). When you visit a traditional Funeral Home watch for trolls on Funeral Cost.Over a year ago Dear Abby posted a letter on what you can run into at a traditional funeral home…someone trolling for prearrangement funeral cost(s)

“A funeral home trolling for business from grieving friends and relatives of the deceased mother and daughter two days after the granddaughter’s funeral? And to use the signed book (to receive memorials) for names, addresses and phone numbers to “promote business” is, in my eyes, unconscionable! Your thoughts, please.

Doris”

This is the old bait and switch trick applied to funeral homes & funeral cost.

Dear Abby’s response:

“DEAR DORIS: Just when I think I have seen it all, a letter like yours lands on my desk.

Whether the person who called you was the funeral director or a salesman, that person is his own worst enemy.

“People with such little sensitivity for the feelings of others should not be in a people-oriented profession.

If that man’s employer reads this, I strongly recommend that he be relegated to the back room, where the individuals he deals with are far beyond the cares and concerns of this world.”

The full story can be read here:

http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/894628/dear_abby_funeral_home_approaches_mourner_to_garner_business/index.html

The obituary and memorial card were a part of this scam.

watch for trolls in traditional funeral homes.

More information can be found here 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

Your Funeral Guy – All Funeral Directors do not wear white funeral cost hats.

Your Funeral Guy – All Funeral Directors do not wear white funeral cost hats.

First I sold newspapers for 12 years and witnessed the rise of Funeral Cost along with Newspapers.- News, sports, classifieds, entertainment, and obituaries(part of Funeral cost) are all parts of Newspaper sales training. Funeral Directors are a key part of obituary sales..and often they are given a pass on scrutinizes because of the obituary. Many an elderly person turns to the obituary to see the person that they might of known who has passed on.

Second -There is more than one scandal. In the January-Issue of the AARP Magzine the scandals are outlined. Here is the Link.

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/money/funeral_rip_off.html

Since that article there have been more individual Funeral Home scandals and two big ones.

The IFDA Preneed Trust big boy #1 had a 40 Milliion loss of the folks of the State of Illinois. Big Boy#2 is National Prearranged Trust–NPS. Scandal, theft and shut down. This NPS Scandal applied to most states in the USA and involved many preneed companies. This is not a one or two rogue situation!

Third, in the 21st Century “Rest in Peace” people in the USA are informed of their rights under the funeral rule and told what is to happen when they go through the funeral process. Suggestions are made on how to negotiate with funeral directors. There is a chapter on the past and funerals and funeral directors are supported. The 21st Century “Rest in Peace” skips whistle blowing and simply helps folks with future funerals and funeral cost

Fourth, we are 8% of the way into the 21st Century and focusing on the past while helpful at times is not where and when change in the Funeral Industry will occur. Good luck though on trying to make it happen from the inside. Like Cremation change will most likely come from the outside.

All funeral directors do not wear white funeral cost hats.

Author Rest in Peace, published May 1st 2008.

1.Newspaper and obituary ( funeral) cost rose at the same time

2.Funeral Home Scandals cost

3.21st century cost will be lower.

4.Funeral cost change is coming just like cremation change.

More information can be found here:

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

Your Funeral Guy Disney World could help folks with Funeral Cost.

Scattering your ashes at Disney world can be a low funeral cost option.You see in most cases no one probably will know if you scatter your ashes at Disney World on a ride. This is more than an an urban funeral cost legend. Some folks are violently opposed to this. I do not think that Walt Disney the Low Cost Funeral Guy and cremation pioneer would oppose this. I do not think the FTC,or the AARP would be against it.

Unofficial funeral directors let folks know they can scatter ashes where it is not allowed.

Several years ago Channel 6 in Orlando Reported:

“Possible Scattering Of Human Remains On Disney Rides Reported
Ride Closed, Police Alerted After Woman Seen Dumping Substance On Ride

Disneyland workers were recently forced to close the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction after a ride security camera caught a woman apparently dumping human remains, in what may be a growing trend.

Workers at the Anaheim theme park spotted the woman sprinkling an unidentified substance into the water on the “Pirates” ride. Anaheim police were notified of the incident.

The woman told Disney park workers that the substance she dumped was baby powder, but officials are investigating the possibility that she sprinkled human ashes, Local 6 reported.

Some Disney watchers said park-goers tell them that people smuggling in the cremated remains of their loved ones and then sprinkling ashes on rides has been going on for a while.

They said it started at the Haunted Mansion, but now the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride is growing in popularity.

…

Disney officials said they were unaware of any confirmed ash-scattering incidents in the park and didn’t believe it to be a problem, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Park officials said there was no real way of knowing if cremated remains were dumped into the “Pirates”ride.”

Simply Google scatter ashes at Disney World for more information.

More information can be found here:

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

Your Funeral Guy: A Funeral Cost Question always Asked!

A Funeral cost question is always asked and happens right after you arrange your loved ones funeral. Who asks the question–The Funeral Home owner or manager. The majority of Funeral Home owners managers and the like, always ask –How much Funeral cost $$$ did you get? What did you sell? and How much did you get? This question has great effect on the average cost of a funeral.

This is still the norm in Norh America…

Many Funeral Directors view it as a Funeral Product Industry and not a Funeral Service Industry.

The price is being paid with the rise of low cost and green funerals.

I say this in kindness and hope of Change.

The Special Funeral Packages and the casket always are the Funeral Home Managers focus!

It is simply true, Funeral Directors have a vested interest in Caskets and Urns. Saying the word Tell me where they sell caskets and urns close to cost. There s one place…The Internet.

Funeral Directors do not let folks know about funeral arrangements until it happens whether it is preneed or at need. There should be a required course in HS–How to Negotiate a Funeral! The old funeral books from 1963 to 2002 are ancient history. Education is the answer but 21st century funeral education is the key.

We live in mobile society and most folks do not have a real clue about a Funeral Homes Reputation. Great service can be had for lower cost. It is all about the service, but that includes delivering products close to cost. This is now possible because of the internet.

More information can be found here 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

Your Funeral Guy: Funeral cost going green and down!

According to one funeral director the average cost of a casket in 2006 is $2,263.00. The average cost of a burial container in 2006 was $1,242. Caskets he says sell for $600-$10,000. These funeral costs soon may not be needed with the advent of the green funeral and the green cemetery. These are quickly coming to the United States of America

“In 2006, the average or median retail price charged for the casket was $2,263. The average or median retail cost of a burial vault was $1,242. Caskets and outer burial containers (vault or grave-liners) can both influence cost. Caskets may generally range in price from $600 – $10,000 and higher based on quality, material type (wood, steel, stainless-steel, copper, bronze, etc.), features, gasketed or non-gasketed, warranty etc. Outer Burial Containers may generally start at $600 for a minimum required Outer Burial Container and can go much higher based once again on material type, material thickness, concrete or steel, sealing vs. non-sealing, warranty, lined vs. unlined, etc.”

You need none of the extras mentioned above.

The above does not include cemetery charges.

Here is the full post.

http://www.planningfortomorrow.net/2008/03/analyzing-cost-of-funeral.html

If you find yourself a green funeral and green cemetery a funeral plot cost $300-$350 . No VAULT, NO CASKET COST.

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=88868

Funeral Cost is going green and down.

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.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Your Funeral Guy: Caskets Being Bought on the Internet for Lower Funeral Cost

If you think and try you can get a casket for around 200 dollars. Recently a blogger discovered this funeral cost saver  quite by accident. Billy Graham’s casket cost just over  200 USD. Sometimes it happens on purpose.Most of the time it happens by accident. Here is an example of a blogger finding caskets on the internet for around 200 dollars.

“Priced as low as $185 when purchased in quantities of 10 or more, the EveryBody™ Coffin appears to be everything my loves ones will need when it comes time to put my body in the ground.”

View the post here:

http://bobmccarty.com/2008/06/03/ad-leads-blogger-to-funeral-cost-savings-of-900/

More information can be found on lower cost funerals and the Graham casket  can be found here:

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.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Your Funeral Guy: Health Cost brings Funeral Cost but your death Bed and Casket?

Health Cost brings Funeral Cost but your death Bed and Casket?

It is more than obvious that if your health costs skyrocket and your very sick your family may incur funeral cost. It is quite eerie to think that the same company that charges you for your death bed( health cost) charges you for your casket(funeral cost).

Here is some info on Hillenbrand Industries, Inc

“Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE: HB), headquartered in Batesville, includes two wholly owned companies: Hill-Rom Co., a manufacturer of equipment for the health care industry, and Batesville Casket Co., a manufacturer and supplier of burial caskets.”

Check out the full article:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/03/24/daily36.html

Recently my wife was hospitalized and to my shock she almost died. Shocking too was the almost death bed was a product of Hill-Rom. As a funeral director i know that the #1 casket company is Batesville Casket Co.

Both companies are owned by Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.

So the company that grabs your health cost also grabs your funeral cost.

More info like this here:

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.

Your Funeral Guy, R Brian Burkhardt, Funeral Director, Author, Blogger, State of Illinois

Your Funeral Guy: Zingwacker idea a Funeral Cost Book!

Rest in Peace released May1st: The best lower cost funeral info.

Rest in Peace Insider’s tips to the Low Cost Less Stress Funeral is a great guide on Funeral Cost. Rest in Peace was released May 1st 2008, This work contains the best lower cost funeral information out there. Here is what one Funeral Director said after the book release:

After reading “Rest in Peace” Claire and I found this to be very informative and truly would be a very important help to those who are facing making Funeral Arrangements. Many good ideas were presented We think that the AARP would be very interested in reading this book. Our best to you in trying to educate the public on Funeral Arrangements.–Ed Cronic Funeral Director.

You can Now Purchase “Rest in Peace” at major online outlets and order it at your local bookstore.

A book on lowering your funeral cost is a zingwacker idea for a book. It will be a great help to Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa.

Search Inside this work here:

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 work has great funeral tips and can save you thousands on Funeral Costs! A true money saver.