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How to Shop for a Funeral FIRST If death was expected and occurred at home it's ok to wait for loved ones to come or to be alone with the body before you call a mortuary. Example: if death occured at 3am you can wait til sunrise if you like. The law doesn't require refrigeration to begin for 24 hrs. However if a hospital is asking you to call a funeral home immediately, don't let that bother you either. Just proceed to the second step knowing the worst has already happened. ​ SECOND Call a few funeral homes to obtain their General Price List (GPL) in-person, by email or text . Or use FCA of UT's Price Comparison Survey to find mortuaries in your range. You can save thousands by doing this! For hunting outside Utah try Funeralocity.com to get a general idea of which mortuaries are charging more and which charge less. Or type into a Search Engine something like: "Discount Funeral Service Provider Near _______" THIRD The mortuary you chose MUST present you with an "Itemized Statement of Goods & Services Selected". once you've examine that you can tell them to remove anything you don't really want to buy, or take your business elsewhere. ​ ​ Keep in Mind BEFORE You Shop 1. You Can Hold Services AFTER Final Disposition, on your own timing WITHOUT a mortuary: "Immediate Burial" package: the mortuary buries on their own timing without embalming or viewing. "Direct Cremation" package: the body is cremated on their own timing without embalming or viewing AND you save on cemetery costs . ​ 2. A Simple Box Can be Lovely: Retailers offer caskets from $100 (for cardboard) and up. Many mortuaries use condescending names & colors when displaying simple and affordable caskets and urns, called "vulgarizing". For example they often stamp "Temporary Container" on the box in which they hand you the cremated remains. Instead, why not choose something special from your home or make one. Then gather loved ones to transfer the remains into it as a meaningful experience together. ​ 3. Explore Alternative Venues: Instead of holding remembrance services at a mortuary, consider locations like a church, home, park, or community center. If you have people in your group that know how to conduct a meeting, move decor and carry a casket you don't need a professional to conduct services. ​ 4. Bring Authentic Decor: Flowers can be expensive or from a garden. Or you might request that attendees bring potted plants instead of cut flowers. Or decorate the venue with portraits and handicrafts made by the deceased, or art. A favorite quilt over the casket can be as touching as a floral spray. ​ 5. Print Your Own Programs: Instead of having a funeral home print programs, design and print them yourself or seek assistance from a friend or family member. Many want to do something meaningful to express their love. This is one of many ways to let them. ​ 6. Purchase Items Separately: Most mortuaries bundle their goods & services to charge a package price. But you can purchase items and services separately. It's called Itemizing, which often ends up costing less than a package of overpriced things you don't want. ​ 9. Make Love-based Decisions Instead of Fear-based: Take the time to discuss your options with those who are supportive of you AND know your rights! When people tell you, "You can't.....", search this site or contact FCA of UT and we'll advise any time of the day or evening: Joyce 801-368-5884. 10. Burial Plots : Most consumer complaints we get are about cemeteries ! Many cemeteries raise prices on holders of plot burial rights without telling them, make you sign away basic rights, and are extremely restrictive, yet don't publish their policies and procedures. So before buying a bunch of plots ask for a copy of their policies and procedures which include: -what is allowed if you later decide to resell your plot(s) -how the future fees climb (for interment, vaults and monuments) if you don't prepay, or if family become non-residents -restrictions as to shroud burial, grave liners etc -requirements surrounding memorial stones (size, where purchased, fees)