Funeral homes are trusted with handling a person’s remains with care and sensitivity, coordinating burial or cremation, and in some cases hosting wakes and memorial services. In the United States, there are currently over 24,000 funeral homes.
While funeral homes should operate ethically, that is not always the case. The New York Times recently reported that a Colorado funeral home owner pleaded guilty to fraud after a 2023 investigation uncovered hundreds of decaying human remains improperly stored on the premises. They claimed the smell coming from the facility was from taxidermy, with in-person visits by family members limited.
Instead of providing ashes for eco-friendly burials, the Colorado funeral home gave surviving family members concrete dust and pocketed the money that would have covered cremation services for their loved ones. Families were left disturbed and traumatized, and the location of many bodies remains unknown.
This story underscores the importance of finding a reputable funeral home. Whether you are planning your own funeral in advance as part of your estate planning process or handling affairs for a loved one who has passed, there are several key considerations to keep in mind when finding a credible funeral home.
When exploring funeral parlor options, it can be helpful to review their credentials. All states but one, Colorado, license funeral homes. (Pending legislation aims to require licensure in Colorado.)
You can find a list of state licensing agencies on the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) website. Keep in mind that some states have different requirements for embalmers and funeral directors.
In addition to checking whether the funeral home is licensed or certified, look at the education of the morticians. Many people do not know that colleges and universities offer programs in funeral service and mortuary science education. A funeral service provider with a degree in this field points to credibility. The program should be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, which has a directory of accredited programs.
Once you’ve reviewed a funeral home’s credentials, you’ll want to visit it in person, taking note of the cleanliness and how well taken care of the premises are.
If you are unable to go in person, have a friend or relative visit the funeral home or reach out to community members for their review of the place. Word-of-mouth recommendations from someone who has had a good experience with a particular establishment can be particularly helpful if you are arranging a funeral in an area with which you are unfamiliar.
Before you decide to use a funeral home, make sure you understand all costs. Note that federal law requires funeral homes inform you how much everything will cost upfront. The funeral home also cannot charge a fee if you supply your own casket.
As you shop around, these signs can indicate an unethical establishment:
If you have had a bad experience with a funeral home, you can file a complaint your state’s regulatory agency and the attorney general, per the Funeral Consumers Alliance. Deceptive or misleading practices can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
The Funeral Consumers Alliance recommends filing a complaint after trying to resolve the dispute with the funeral home. Examples of legitimate complaints include the following:
After the tragic incident in Colorado, state lawmakers are taking steps to improve funeral home oversight by proposing legislation to require licenses for funeral homes. Meanwhile, the Funeral Consumers Alliance has called for all states to protect the rights of individuals to carry out their own funerals.
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