1. IMMEDIATE BURIAL
IMMEDIATE BURIAL is the “disposition of human remains by burial, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony” (from the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule). It should be less expensive than a full funeral and consistent with the reduced funeral home services required. The price includes a reduced “basic services fee.” The General Price List (GPL) must specify the services provided as part of an Immediate Burial option. Services typically include removal of remains to the funeral home, basic services of funeral director and staff, a proportionate share of overhead cost, necessary authorizations and transportation to cemetery. The purchaser of the Immediate Burial option is free to select additional services at the prices listed in the GPL. Please note: The funeral home’s price for an immediate burial does NOT include cemetery costs. The purchase of a plot, if you don’t already have one, and the cemetery’s “opening and closing fee” will be separate, on top of what you pay to the funeral home. The GPL must list at least two price options for Immediate Burial, depending on whether the funeral home or the consumer provides the casket or an alternative container (most often made of fiberboard or unfinished wood). For our FCAWM comparison table, we selected the option in which the consumer provides the casket for burial.
2. DIRECT CREMATION
DIRECT CREMATION is “disposition of human remains by cremation, “without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony” (from FTC Funeral Rule definition). The GPL must specify the services provided as part of a Direct Cremation option. Typically, these services include removal of remains to the funeral home, basic services of funeral director and staff, a proportionate share of overhead cost, necessary authorizations and transportation to crematory. Note: In Massachusetts, crematories are required to be nonprofit organizations, separate from funeral homes. The cost of the actual cremation process is often billed separately. Our table has columns indicating, by yes or no, whether the quoted price for Direct Cremation includes the cost of cremation (a range from $250 – $600) and mandatory Medical Examiner’s fee ($200). The purchaser of the Direct Cremation option is free to select additional services at the prices listed in the GPL. The GPL must list at least two price options, depending on whether the funeral home or the consumer provides the alternative container (most often made of fiberboard or unfinished wood) or casket. The price used in our comparison is for the option in which the funeral home provides the alternative container or casket. Please note: The Direct Cremation price usually does NOT include any cemetery-related charges (for example, if the cremated remains are to be buried there or placed in a columbarium niche).
3. BASIC SERVICES FEE
For options other than Immediate Burial or Direct Cremation, a “BASIC SERVICES FEE” is required. It is listed separately on the GPL and on our table. That fee covers general overhead costs as well as services that are common to virtually all forms of disposition or arrangements that the funeral home offers, such as conducting the arrangements conference, securing necessary permits, preparing the notices, sheltering of remains, and coordinating arrangements with the cemetery, crematory, or other third parties. The costs of certain other goods and services must be listed separately on the GPL and, if selected, their costs will be added to the basic services fee. These goods and services include: Embalming; Other preparation of the body; Transfer of remains to funeral home; Use of facilities and staff for viewing; Use of facilities and staff for funeral ceremony or memorial service; Use of equipment and staff for graveside service; Hearse; Limousine; Outer burial container, grave liner or vault; and Casket.
4. EMBALMING
EMBALMING is not required by law in Massachusetts, but is required by most funeral homes if you select a funeral with viewing of the body. If you do not want embalming, you have the right to choose an option that does not require it, such as direct cremation or immediate burial.
5. LEAST COST CASKET
LEAST COST CASKET. Funeral homes are required to provide a price range for the caskets or burial containers they provide. This column on our table shows the least expensive casket listed in their price list. You have the right to acquire a casket/coffin from another vendor, or build one yourself. Funeral homes are not allowed to charge an extra handling fee if you acquire a casket elsewhere and have it delivered to them.
6. LEAST COST OUTER CONTAINER
LEAST COST OUTER CONTAINER is the least expensive outer burial container listed by the funeral home in its required price range statement or outer burial container price list. An outer burial container is not required by law in Massachusetts, but is required by many cemeteries to prevent the ground from sinking over the casket location. A grave liner (with no bottom) is less expensive than a grave vault (concrete surrounding the casket on all sides). Purchase is usually through the funeral home rather than the cemetery.