Many people in Athens don’t realize that they are not legally required to use a funeral home to plan and conduct a funeral. However, because they have little experience with the many details and legal requirements involved and may be emotionally distraught when it’s time to make the plans, many people find the services of a professional Athens funeral home to be a comfort.
Athens people often select a funeral home or cemetery because it’s close to home, has served the family in the past, or has been recommended by someone they trust. But people who limit their search in Athens to just one funeral home may risk paying more than necessary for the funeral or narrowing their choice of goods and services.
.Comparison Shopping Athens Funeral Homes
Comparison shopping funeral homes in Athens need not be difficult, especially if it’s done before the need for a funeral arises. If you visit a funeral home in person, the funeral provider is required by law to give you a general price list itemizing the cost of the items and services the home offers. If the general price list does not include specific prices of caskets or outer burial containers in Athens, the law requires the funeral director to show you the price lists for those items before showing you the items.
Sometimes it’s more convenient and less stressful to ‘price shop’ funeral homes by telephone. The Funeral Rule requires funeral directors in Athens to provide price information over the phone to any caller who asks for it. In addition, many Athens funeral homes are happy to mail you their price lists, although that is not required by law.
Be Sure to Consider the Total Price of Athens Funeral Homes
When comparing prices of funeral homes in Athens, be sure to consider the total cost of all the items together, in addition to the costs of single items. Every funeral home should have price lists that include all the items essential for the different types of arrangements it offers. Many funeral homes offer package funerals that may cost less than purchasing individual items or services. Offering package funerals is permitted by law, as long as an itemized price list also is provided. But only by using the price lists can you accurately compare total costs.
In addition, there’s a growing trend toward consolidation in the funeral home industry, and many neighborhood funeral homes in Athens are thought to be locally owned when in fact, they’re owned by a national corporation. If this issue is important to you, you may want to ask if the funeral home is locally owned.
