This page lists some practices that have been carried out in the past. Is it yet today?

"Sham Discount Packages" A discount where you don't save any money! Some funeral homes are attempting to eliminate consumer choice with a thinly disguised penalty for consumers who wish to save money by buying a casket at a casket store. They raise their service prices (TRUE Example, from $2,500 to $4,000.00) then claim to offer a "Package Discount" to consumers who buy a casket from a funeral home. (Discount equals the increase, CAREFUL!). Example: Inflated Price $4,000, you get a $1,500 discount, brings price back to $2,500.00) The only one who pays inflated price (penalty) would be a person who does not buy a casket at the funeral home!!! The "Sham Discount Package" is designed to negate ANY savings a consumer WOULD have realized by purchase of product at a retail store. It also forces a consumer to either buy a more expensive funeral home casket or pay for it anyway. To avoid this Greedy Scheme: Shop around first if possible. Otherwise do NOT let a Funeral Director pick up the Deceased until you get a General Price List (GPL). ALSO, the funeral rule requires funeral directors to give a GPL when you ask for one in person, if you happen to visit them. Furthermore, they must have one on their person when they come to your home (hosp) prior to picking up the body, explain all costs and give you that GPL with other paperwork. Be clear and ask a lot of Questions.(LESS COST = see a casket store for funeral product!!) Many Casket Stores can help you avoid this scam by showing you GPL's from various funeral homes. If you run into this funeral scam, "Sham Discount Packages" report it to the NCRA immediately.This is an anti-competitive scheme, do not fall for it!

The Numbers Game

The Numbers Game is when some funeral directors attempt to fool the vulnerable consumer with the appearance of low price caskets. They just increase their service price and lower their casket prices. The result is the consumer pays the same price anyways! Get more than one GPL, if they have irregular prices then call or see some other funeral home. Do not get in a hurry or be pressured into paying more for the caskets or products at the funeral home. SAVE at a Casket Store! Many Casket Stores can help you avoid this scam by showing you General Price List's from various Funeral Homes. (Many Casket Stores regularly collect Funeral Home GPLs in that city) Stop a Numbers Game! (Sometimes called also "Unreasonable Discounts") Please read more about this on the survey page, link below

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