The loss of a loved one is always difficult to cope with. However, no one ever expects to be scammed or taken advantage of by the funeral home. Unfortunately, funeral home violations are more common than you might have thought.
Many funeral homes attempt to further their financial interests at the expense of families in mourning. Recognizing the signs of misconduct can be challenging, mainly if you have never dealt with the death of a loved one before.
When you are working with a funeral home to lay your loved one to rest, here are some of the warning signs you should be looking out for:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for regulating funeral homes. According to the Funeral Rule, funeral homes are required to show you an itemized price list before you make arrangements.
Any funeral home that does not offer to show you an itemized price list may attempt to defraud you, overcharge you, or take advantage of you during this difficult time.
No one should ever be rushed into decisions regarding funeral arrangements. Generally, when your loved one is taken to a coroner or morgue, you will have at least a few days to make your decisions. If a funeral director is pressuring you into making a decision quickly, this may be a sign of a scam.
If a funeral director attempts to make you feel guilty when you do not go with their most expensive services, this is a sure sign you are being taken advantage of.
They could push you to buy unnecessary services, more expensive caskets with pointless features, or they might try to convince you you’re being irresponsible for going with a more cost-friendly funeral.
No state or federal law requires you to embalm your loved one. In some instances, the FTC may require embalming if a person has not been cremated or buried within a specific time.
However, embalming is not something you should be pressured into. If a funeral home makes it seem like this is a requirement or is pressuring you into embalming when it is not necessary, you may need to be leery of being scammed.
If you are hoping to avoid being scammed when dealing with the funeral home, there are certain steps you can take to protect yourself. These include:
These are just a few different ways to protect yourself from being taken advantage of during such a sensitive time in your life. Suppose you have concerns that you have already been taken advantage of. In that case, you may need the legal support of an Alabama personal injury lawyer to help you recover your damages and get justice.
Do you suspect you have been taken advantage of by the funeral home? Are you anxious to hold them accountable and recover the compensation that is rightfully yours?
If so, reach out to an experienced and aggressive Alabama personal injury lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett, PC. Our firm offers complimentary consultations to victims across the state of Alabama. Claim yours by calling our office at (205) 933-1500 or filling out our quick contact form today.