The FTC Funeral Rule The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), makes it possible for you to choose only those goods and services you want or need and to pay only for those you select, whether you are making arrangements when a death occurs or in advance.
When did the FTC Funeral Rule go into effect?
These guidelines are intended to help you, the funeral provider, comply with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) Funeral Rule. The Funeral Rule went into effect on April 30, 1984. The Commission revised the Rule early in 1994; revisions became effective later that year.
What is the Funeral Rule and why does it matter?
The Funeral Rule requires you to give consumers accurate, itemized price information and various other disclosures about funeral goods and services.
Why does the FTC conduct undercover inspections of funeral homes?
The FTC conducts undercover inspections every year to make sure that funeral homes are complying with the agency’s Funeral Rule. The Funeral Rule applies anytime a consumer seeks information from a funeral provider, whether the consumer is asking about pre-need or at-need arrangements.
What is the general price list under the Funeral Rule?
The General Price List The General Price List (GPL) is the keystone of the Funeral Rule. It must contain identifying information (see page 4), itemized prices for the various goods and services that you sell (see pages 7-11), and other important disclosures (see pages 5-7).
Who must comply with the FTC Funeral Rule?
You also must comply with the Rule if you sell pre-need contracts on behalf of one or more funeral homes, but do not yourself provide funeral goods and services. In such a case, even though you don't provide the funeral items, you are an agent of a funeral provider and therefore are covered by the Rule.
What is the keystone of the Funeral Rule?
Under the Funeral Rule, you have the right to: Buy only the funeral arrangements you want. You have the right to buy separate goods (such as caskets) and services (such as embalming or a memorial service). You do not have to accept a package that may include items you do not want.
Why was the Funeral Rule created?
In 1984, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) established the Funeral Rule to give consumers of funeral services certain protections. The rule's main objective was to ensure consumers receive adequate information concerning all of the goods and services they may purchase from a funeral provider.
How does the golden rule affect funeral service?
Funeral homes that are members of the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) are held to the highest service standard. Fewer than 5% of independently owned funeral homes can call themselves Golden Rule Funeral Homes and those that do promise to adhere to a set of eleven ethical standards.
Can you prevent a family member from attending a funeral?
To make sure the funeral is a time to grieve and not the start of a major fight, some families choose to place restrictions on who can and cannot attend the service. Unless you specify otherwise, it is implied that anyone is welcome to attend the funeral.
Why is 6 feet the standard for burial?
People may have also buried bodies 6 feet deep to help prevent theft. There was also concern that animals might disturb graves. Burying a body 6 feet deep may have been a way to stop animals from smelling the decomposing bodies. A body buried 6 feet deep would also be safe from accidental disturbances like plowing.
Why is red not allowed in funerals?
Wearing red to a funeral can be a sign of disrespect. It will give others a completely wrong impression if you wear a bright and bold colour to a funeral, as this goes against the dark, muted colours associated with sadness and mourning.
Why do funerals have closed caskets?
A closed casket provides more privacy. There may even be religious reasons for a closed casket service. A closed casket service may have been the preference of the deceased, so people would tend to remember them “as they were”.
Why are caskets locked before burial?
For protecting the body People have always tried to protect the body of the deceased for a long time. It's an attempt to care for it even after death. Caskets, be they of metal or wood, are sealed so that they protect the body. The sealing will keep the elements, air, and moisture from getting inside the coffin.
What are the 3 basic golden rules?
What Are the Golden Rules of Accounting?Rule 1 - Debit the receiver, credit the giver.Rule 2 - Debit what comes in, credit what goes out.Rule 3 - Debit all expenses and losses and credit all incomes and gains.
Who decides the order of service at a funeral?
The Order of Service is typically done by whoever is organising the funeral. They will tend to have a strong grasp on how all the different parts of the funeral are coming together. If this is you, you do not need to go it alone! You could ask for some assistance from your funeral director, if you have one.
What gets handed out at a funeral?
Sometimes called an order of service, the funeral program is a simple brochure or pamphlet that you hand out to guests. This document outlines the process of the service (what will happen) and sometimes includes a brief overview of the life milestones and achievements of the deceased.
What is the Funeral Rule quizlet?
funeral provider must give consumers who call accurate information from the price lists and answer questions about offerings and prices with readily available information.
What is prohibited by the Funeral Rule quizlet?
The Rule prohibit any misrepresentations regarding the legal necessity of embalming. It is a violation if the funeral director fails to inform the consumer that embalming is not required by law, except in certain special circumstances.
What is the primary requirement of the FTC Funeral Rule quizlet?
What is the primary requirement of the FTC Funeral Rule? Funeral service providers must give accurate, detailed information about prices and legal requirements to people who are arranging funerals.
What is the FTC Funeral Rule required disclosure that is directly related to cremation?
The third disclosure informs consumers that they may use alternative containers (defined in the revised Rule) for direct cremations. (4) This disclosure must read as follows: If you want to arrange a direct cremation, you can use an alternative container.
When did the funeral rule go into effect?
The Funeral Rule went into effect on April 30, 1984. The Commission revised the Rule early in 1994; revisions became effective later that year.
How does the FTC work?
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair practices in the marketplace and to provide information to businesses to help them comply with the law. For free compliance resources visit the Business Center at business.ftc.gov.
What is the GPL in the funeral law?
The General Price List (GPL) is the keystone of the Funeral Rule. It must contain identifying information (see page 4), itemized prices for the various goods and services that you sell (see pages 7-11), and other important disclosures (see pages 5-7). The GPL enables consumers to comparison shop and to purchase, on an itemized basis, only the goods and services they want.
How long do you keep funeral price lists?
You must keep price lists for at least one year from the date you last distributed them to customers. You also must keep a copy of each completed Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected for at least one year from the date of the arrangements conference. You must make these documents available for inspection by FTC representatives upon request.(24)
What is the first disclosure?
The first disclosure informs consumers that they have a right to select only the items they want to buy, besides a non-declinable basic services fee (see pages 9-10 for a detailed description of this fee). (2)You should place this statement immediately above the prices of the goods and services that you offer. The statement should read as follows:
What information is needed for a funeral price list?
The General Price List should be printed or typewritten, and must contain the following identifying information: • the name, address, and telephone number of the funeral provider’s place of business, including (where relevant) the address and telephone number for each branch; • the caption: “General Price List;” and • the effective date of the price list.
What is a funeral provider?
All “funeral providers” must comply with the Rule. You are a funeral provider if you sell or offer to sell both funeral goods and funeral services to the public. Funeral goods are all products sold directly to the public in connection with funeral services. Funeral services are: • services used to care for and prepare bodies for burial, cremation, or other final disposition; and • services used to arrange, supervise, or conduct the funeral ceremony or final disposition of human remains. You are a funeral provider if you sell or offer to sell funeral goods andboth types of funeral services. You do not have to be a licensed funeral director and your business does not have to be a licensed funeral home to be covered by the Funeral Rule. Cemeteries, crematories, and other businesses can also be “funeral providers” if they market both funeral goods and services. You must comply with the Rule even if a particular consumer buys only goods or only funeral services, but not both. If you offer to sell both goods and services, you must comply with the Rule for every customer. However, you are not covered by the Rule if you sell only funeral goods, such as caskets, but notservices relating to the disposition of remains. You are covered by the Rule even if you organize your business to sell goods through one company and services through another. If you are a funeral provider, you cannot avoid being covered by the Rule by restructuring your business. * Civil penalty amount increased January 2020
