Funeral Laws
By Amy E. Feldman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - At one of the most emotionally fraught times in a person's life - when planning the funeral of a loved one - you're asked to make decisions that cost thousands of dollars. But you have rights under the law when making those decisions.
J & D Foods, a company that specializes in all products bacon-related including bacon mayonnaise and bacon salt is now introducing a line of bacon coffins. While you're not actually wrapped in bacon, you can go on to your heavenly abode in a casket decorated like a slab of bacon with the added benefit that no one can tell you that stuff'll kill 'ya. And all it costs is $3000. But just so you're not cowed (I know, wrong animal analogy) at a vulnerable time, the law says that a funeral provider has to give you a price list, cannot refuse or charge you a fee to handle a casket you bought elsewhere, and a provider that offers cremations must make alternative containers available.
Many funeral homes allow you to prepay for funeral expenses, but before you do, ask what you're paying for - merchandise only or the services too? What happens if the home goes out of business? And can you cancel the contract if you should become a vegetarian. Visit ftc.gov for a full list of funeral laws before it's too late.
