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Re-activateThe FTC said the violations were found at 52 of the 175 funeral homes investigators visited in Washington, D.C. and nine states: Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New York, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The 1984 Funeral Rule requires, among other things, that funeral homes provide prospective customers with a price list automatically when they visit and upon request when they call, allow customers to buy only the products or services they want, allow the use of caskets and urns purchased elsewhere, and make funeral arrangements without requiring embalming.
The FTC conducts undercover investigations of funeral homes annually. To avoid an FTC lawsuit, homes that violate the rule must attend a three-year Funeral Rule Offenders Program, which includes ongoing training, testing and monitoring for compliance. In place of a civil penalty, violators make a voluntary payment to the federal government and pay annual administrative fees to the National Funeral Directors Association, which operates the program.
For more details about the Funeral Rule, visit the FTC Web site. The agency's "Funerals: A Consumer Guide" offers tips on how to protect yourself when selecting funeral services. —Anthony Giorgianni
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