A recent FCANC board meeting became a teaching moment in street level bureaucracy, so buckle up and take note!
Abigail, an FCANC board member, was working closely with a friend whose father was under hospice care. He wanted a simple, environmentally friendly burial, but they had no idea how to shop for a coffin or a burial shroud. Like many people, they assumed they had to buy whatever the funeral home offered. Here is how Abigail navigated the process, and how you can apply these steps to your own pre-planning process.
Know Your Rights: The Funeral Rule
The first breakthrough for the family came from Abigail telling them about the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule. Under this law, funeral homes must accept any casket, shroud, or urn you provide from an outside source. They cannot charge you a handling fee or penalize you for buying elsewhere. Sure enough, the funeral home had the willow casket that this family wanted, but the mark-up was outrageous! A funeral director there told Abigail, “Just have them call the vendor directly.” And that’s how the family got exactly what they wanted! Do NOT assume every funeral director will offer this kind of help! Be a savvy shopper, and follow these rules:
Choosing a Coffin: Compare Outside Vendors
Funeral home showrooms often feature high-end, polished metal or expensive hardwood caskets. This person wanted something simpler, and found a locally woven willow casket.
- Online Retailers: Check out online casket retailers and large box stores like Costco and Walmart, which sell caskets directly to consumers with overnight shipping.
- Local Artisans: If you love woodworking, try to find a local carpenter who specializes in simple, biodegradable pine caskets; bespoke urns and/or handcrafted shrouds* are also usually available.
- The Savings: The funeral home’s lowest-priced option will always be more expensive than buying direct from an artisan!
(*Some people want an even lighter footprint, choosing a burial shroud instead of a wooden box. Shrouds are long pieces of fabric used to wrap the body. If you are planning a green or natural burial, the shroud must be made of 100% natural, biodegradable fibers like linen, cotton, silk, or wool. Some shrouds feature a built-in wooden lowering board. This provides the structural support the cemetery may require to lower the body into the grave safely.)
Three Tips for Consumers
If you are currently shopping or pre-planning, keep these three rules in mind:
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL): Funeral homes are legally required to give you a printed, itemized price list before you discuss any purchases.
- Verify Cemetery Rules: Before buying a shroud or a biodegradable coffin, call the cemetery. Some traditional cemeteries require an outer burial container or concrete vault, which can defeat the purpose of a green burial product.
- Shop in Advance: Shopping during a time of active grief makes it hard to compare prices. Researching vendors now ensures you get exactly what you want at a fair price. Look into local workshops to learn the beautiful art of shrouding. Taking the time to practice now offers a meaningful way to prepare.
By understanding your options, you can bypass the emotional funeral home sales pitch and focus on what truly matters: honoring your own values.