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"We take it
personally when your not treated right."
The
federal Funeral Rule gives consumers important
rights:
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The
following information is extracted from the
Federal
Trade Commission's website for your convenience.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm
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"Funerals: A Consumer Guide"
The Funeral
Rule
Most funeral providers are
professionals who strive to serve their clients' needs and best
interests. But some aren't. They may take advantage of their clients
through inflated prices, overcharges, double charges or unnecessary
services. Fortunately, there's a federal law that makes it easier
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 pre-need or at need.
The Funeral Rule, enforced
by the Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors to give
you itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the phone. The
Rule also requires funeral directors to give you other information
about their goods and services. For example, if you ask about
funeral arrangements in person, the funeral home must give you a
written price list to keep that shows the goods and services the
home offers. If you want to buy a casket or outer burial container,
the funeral provider must show you descriptions of the available
selections and the prices before actually showing you the caskets.
Many funeral providers offer various
"packages" of commonly selected goods and services that make up a
funeral. But when you arrange for a funeral, you have the right to
buy individual goods and services. That is, you do not have to
accept a package that may include items you do not want.
According to the Funeral Rule:
- you have the right to choose the
funeral goods and services you want (with some exceptions).
- the funeral provider must state
this right in writing on the general price list (GPL).
- if state or local law requires you
to buy any particular item, the funeral provider must disclose it
on the price list, with a reference to the specific law.
- the funeral provider may not
refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.
- a funeral provider that offers
cremations must make alternative containers available.
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The FTC works for the
consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business
practices in the marketplace and to provide information to
help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint,
or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free,
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the online complaint form. The FTC enters
Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other
fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online
database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law
enforcement agencies U.S. and abroad.
| FEDERAL TRADE
COMMISSION |
FOR THE
CONSUMER |
| 1-877-FTC-HELP |
www.ftc.gov | |
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The Funeral
Rule As Understood by Consumer Advocates
& Applied by Henninger-Allen
1. Telephone
Price Disclosures
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Funeral
providers must disclose prices of all services, merchandise and
options to callers over the phone. You do not have to
appear in person to obtain this
information. If you make a request in person, you must be given a
copy of the General Price List (GPL) prior to making arrangements
or discussing funeral details.
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The GPL
must disclose certain information, including the cost of immediate
cremation and burial. You can limit your purchases to only
those items you want or that are required by Oklahoma law.
You can't decline the "Professional Services"
fee.
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Henninger-Allen's nondeclineable charges are:
(All Henninger-Allen Charges are based on our
November 1, 2005 GPL)
2. Required
Purchases
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You have
the right to choose only the funeral goods and services you want
with some disclosed exceptions. This right must be in
writing on the general price list. If there is a specific
law that requires you to purchase any item, the funeral provider
must disclose the specific law on the statement of goods and
services.
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Oklahoma law does not mandate the use of specific
merchandise. However, some cemeteries require the use of an
outer burial container. (i.e. concrete box, or vault). Note:
The two cemeteries located in Enid do not require an outer burial
container. Some of the cemeteries
in the surrounding area do. Ask before you purchase your cemetery
property.
3.
Embalming
Oklahoma law DOES NOT require
embalming.
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However, it does
require the un-embalmed to be buried or otherwise properly
disposed of within 24 hours after death, unless refrigeration
facilities are available or they are placed in a sealed
container.
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Embalming is not
required for immediate burial or direct
cremation.
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Embalming is require to cross state
lines.
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Airlines and other
common carriers require embalming prior to shipping
remains. Note: The laws of the destination state or
country must apply.
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Although not a state law, many
funeral homes will require a body be embalmed if you select a
service that includes viewing of the remains.
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At Henninger-Allen we provide
options for private family viewings of the
un-embalmed. Discuss this option and the
specific details with our funeral directors. If at all
possible we will try to accomplish this request at no
charge.
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Our charge for
embalming is $ 375.00.
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Consumer
Reports list the price range for embalming
may be as high as $750.00 in some
areas.
4. Caskets for
Cremation
Oklahoma law DOES NOT
require a casket for direct cremation.
5. Cash Advance
Sales
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Funeral providers must disclose in
writing if they add any surcharges for cash advance items the
funeral provider is asked to pay on your behalf.
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At Henninger-Allen we
offer cash advances by request only and on a
case-by-case-basis. If requested and we agree to pay
for certain cash advance items for the family, we DO NOT add
a surcharge for handling those agreed upon
details.
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If the cost of certain
cash advance items cannot be determined during the arrangements;
i.e. the cost of the paid obituary, we will give the
family a "good faith estimate" along with their itemized
statement.
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At Henninger-Allen we
have a contractual agreement with the local paper, which allows us
to provide our families with a reduced rate when publishing
their paid obituary.
6. An Itemized
Statement
7. Preservative Claim
8. Caskets
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You are not obligated to purchase a
casket from the funeral home. You can purchase it from a
third party and we, the funeral provider, cannot charge you a fee
for accepting a casket purchased
elsewhere.
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Henninger-Allen was built on caring for others during their
time of need and their loss. We take it personally when
any family, any where has a bad funeral experience
and is improperly
served by a firm or individual.
We encourage you to contact
the owner of the funeral home serving you if you have a bad
experience or feel your rights were abused. If
all else fails, use the FTC's online complaint form.
How
will they know if you don't tell them.
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