10 Consumer Rights Under the Funeral Rule

[@AnnieDivaSings]

I have a vivid memory of sitting in the funeral home conference room with my brother and our heartbroken parents as we made arrangements for our younger brother’s funeral. We had to watch a video (this is 1985) on casket selection. It was very classroom-ish...”There are hermetically sealed, and non-hermetically sealed caskets,” the voice intoned, then explaining that the hermetically sealed casket had a 35 year guarantee. At this point my brother and I got the giggles, like little kids in church, because it seemed so ridiculous to spend more on the hermetically sealed casket, like who is going to dig it up in 34 years to see if it was still sealed? We were almost convulsing trying to keep straight faces and not make fools of ourselves. What was ridiculous about the situation was that we had already firmly made our casket selection because our brother would have hated “wasting money” for a burial container, but the funeral home wanted to be sure they complied with the letter of the law, which increased the pain for my parents as they had to endure the (what seemed like an endless) forced lecture before burying their son’s shattered body. Obviously the industry has made vast improvements since that time, as we had no such difficulty making arrangements for my mother in law a few years ago. My brother and I still chuckle at the ridiculous memory of that day, I’m sure it was a way for us to release some of the tension and horror of the past few days. Thank you for bringing clarity and insight to al of us through your videos.

[@KaritheMortician]

Oh goodness that sounds like some horrible marketing video that someone made to try to help sell things.

[@joegarcia4157]

Kari I did exactly that when I was looking for a funeral home for my mother. I had no problem getting a price list. The vault was included however when I went to the cemetery where my parents had prepaid for their plots, they wanted to sell me a vault as well. Neither wanted to give in. Both business wanted me to buy their vaults. They were pretty pricey! It was a nightmare!!!! Many years ago my parents had given me all the cemetery deed including the contract that was paid in full. Well something inside me told me to look thru the contract and see what my parents had purchased. In looking thru the paperwork I found that the vaults were included for both parents! I called the cemetery and they asked me to bring in my copies because according to their copies they were too light to read so I went and when we compared contacts, I noticed that their copy was legible and could be read. I didn’t say anything but I just thought that I was so fortunate for my intuition to tell me to read the contract. I saved $2,200.00 In doing so.

[@utahmassage]

Joel Garcia-Pless Are the people who had the vaults the same people that did the head stone?

[@KaritheMortician]

SO good to have your info in order.

[@sandyf6215]

Fantastic video. This is going to help a lot of bereaved families. Thank you, Kari.

[@KaritheMortician]

I hope so

[@stevenhenson2152]

Thank You Kari.

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome!

[@davidmckinney6577]

Valuable information Kari 👍👌✌️

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@allenorganist2011]

Why would anyone click thumbs down for an information video? Great video Kari, we wouldn’t know our rights with funeral homes if it weren’t for caring people like you. Thank you so much

[@KaritheMortician]

Cuz it is not as thrilling as others lol

[@gregearley4123]

Thank you for unbiased advice given in a compassionate manner!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mswitter1]

Thank You, Kari. Very informative, as always 🙏❤

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome

[@marilynrich]

Great information as always Kari. ⚱️⚰️

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulwrightwa]

Thank you for always providing terrific information!

[@KaritheMortician]

Any time!

[@chrisblevins755]

This has to be one of the most informative videos for consumer's you've posted so far, you really packed a lot of important information in ten minutes. GREAT video Kari!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@snuffybloodsuxer2726]

Thank you for all u do to let ppl know their rights when I cremated my mom n dad we used a cardboard box

[@KaritheMortician]

:) THank you!!

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Thank you for the information. I hope your ankle is doing better and all is good at your home front. Stay safe!

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes healing up!

[@annjutz7416]

Great information that everyone should know.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes!

[@dianehilliard9256]

Good information to know

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for watching

[@robertganley313]

Good information, Kari!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@maryhildreth754]

We should call these a consumer's "last rights" ;-)

[@KaritheMortician]

So true!

[@CandyceGirl]

Thank you so much, so informative. 🍃🍁🍂🦋

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome!

[@mahu4284]

Unfortunately not all practice this...at all. I live above a funeral home so ik this first hand. **Order the same casket online via Costco or Walmart for a quarter of the cost**-- Confirm that the funeral home will accept an outside casket prior to going w that funeral home. Not all are the same or on the up and up. ❤❤❤Ur channel! Knowledge is power esp w something left so unspoken! ❤

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes it is!!

[@dawntomlinson616]

Thank you so much for your information,I wish I seen this years ago for my parents..

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome

[@clancycreations]

Thank you 💜

[@TeamTrumpUSA]

What if a family cannot afford a traditional vault? Sometime ago, I saw a plastic vault. It was said to be less expensive and better than the traditional vault. Is that true? A friend told me to always ask the funeral director regarding price " Is this all inclusive" so there will be no surprises when it is all said and done. Cheers

[@KaritheMortician]

There are some plastic vaults but they will be along the same price points

[@MrBglk101]

Someone stayed up late 😴 lol good video

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@nanettefazio4132]

As always, thank you Kari for providing such great content and very helpful information! I’m currently enrolled and taking some introductory courses in Funeral Service Education. I’ve always found the Funeral profession to be very interesting and to be able to pursue a career in this field would be an honor. Thank you for all that you do!

[@KaritheMortician]

You are welcome

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Good info trying too find just this out in my country :-)

[@KaritheMortician]

Good luck!

[@patriciarivas2638]

Thank you so much for this information! I do wish I knew this 5 years ago. The funeral home was on the up and up. I think the funeral home wanted to make extra money for embalming. We got 30 minutes before she was buried. She was in the freezer and died of heart failure. They swabbed her mouth with a disinfectant. No cooties. We ordered a casket from Costco to have a less expensive option and they didn’t have her colour. They should have given us more time with her in my opinion.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you for sharing

[@MaryClareVideos]

Hi Kari 👋 🐾

[@KaritheMortician]

Hello!

[@shermanmcbean3025]

Very informative. Does this Funeral Rule only apply to USA? Or is it globally?

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes in the USA

[@Creativeme757]

When purchasing a casket? Can the person test it out? I’ve always wanted to get inside one to see how comfy it is

[@KaritheMortician]

No a casket can not be reused on the inside

[@snuffybloodsuxer2726]

Do you have a good place to find containers to hold ashes like jewelry?

[@bernadetteherpakglisan7498]

Amazon

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes google and you will find many!

[@robertganley313]

Kari, can a funeral home sell you a casket as new that has previously been used as a rental casket. Is this option a method of reducing the cost of a casket?

[@KaritheMortician]

No they can not. You can purchase the interior new and use the rental shell knowing it was a rental previously

[@robertganley313]

@@KaritheMortician Thanks!

[@utahmassage]

How do we go about gathering information about a “pre-planning” funeral?. I would like a nice medium priced wood casket , what is the average cost of that? Great video, Thank you Kari!

[@KaritheMortician]

You would call your local funeral home and get the price lists from them :)

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

You forgot to mention that you do not have to arrange a funeral through a funeral home. Some states may require that certain forms are only to be done by a licensed funeral director but in most cases this doesn’t mean the whole service has to be done through them. I get that question a lot. Also I will say this for the Kansas viewers. State law requires embalming if 1: The decedent is to be traveling out of state. 2: If the decedent is to be outside of cold storage for more than 24 hours prior to final disposition from the time of death.

[@KaritheMortician]

I didn't forget. I gave a specific list of items the FTC requires. Those are the only requirements.

[@KaritheMortician]

It is not fully enforced at 24 hours though for a variety of reasonings.

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

Kari the Mortician I forgot that was the premise of the video.

[@pwillieb]

Do most funeral homes accept full payment by credit card?

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes, some may charge a fee

[@MikeMercury]

Bonjour lady

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@lauragadille3384]

Can my family bring a box for my ashes?

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes they can but the funeral home may not fill it and just return you in the box from the crematory.

[@lauragadille3384]

@@KaritheMortician Ty. They did this for my grandma and grandpa.

[@robvasquez79]

Another great video as always! Unrelated question Kari ... have you seen this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z369mYWfl9hgp5I I’m curious as to what your thoughts are? Keep up the great work!

[@bruceliggett8036]

Great informative video but also boring as hell zzzzz Tell some paranormal stories that have happened to you, after all its Halloween season, love you Kari :)

[@KaritheMortician]

lol yeah this is not full of too much excitement but good info to know.

[@lporter1983]

First

[@KaritheMortician]

:)