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Sudden death can lead to funeral cost sticker shock

On Behalf of | Oct 20, 2020 | Wrongful Death

The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one can be very challenging to deal with. One thing that individuals who are in this position will have to do is to make the final arrangements. Oftentimes, this comes with sticker shock because they don’t expect the high prices that come with funerals or cremation.

The average cost of a funeral includes many facets of the service; however, these averages don’t include the cemetery pot, marker and similar items.

There are many ways that you can save money on these expenses. First, you can obtain quotes for the services over the phone. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, requires that funeral homes provide pricing over the phone.

Second, you only have to purchase services that you want from the funeral home. This means that you could shop around for a casket if you have time. Some funeral homes offer packages, but you don’t have to purchase a package if it contains services you don’t want.

Third, your loved one might not have to be embalmed. No state requires routine embalming; however, there might be time limits to how long you have from the time of death to the burial or cremation. Some funeral homes require embalming if there is going to be a public viewing, so you can ask about this when you contact the funeral home for pricing.

If you lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, you might opt to pursue a claim for compensation. A wrongful death lawsuit is launched by a family member, often an immediate family member like a spouse or parent, who qualifies to file the claim. This can help cover the expenses associated with the funeral, as well as other damages caused by the sudden death.

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