Funeral Scams To Watch Out For: How To Protect Yourself

There are all sorts of scams out there, and the funeral industry is no exception. In fact, funeral scams are on the rise as criminals take advantage of people during vulnerable times.

Getting funeral insurance from an independent company like Funeral Funds is the best way to avoid getting scammed by funeral home operators, as this puts you 100% in control of your funeral plans and budget.

This blog post will discuss some of the most common funeral scams and how to avoid them.

FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:

• What Funeral Scams Are And How They Work
• How To Avoid Funeral Scams
• How To Protect Yourself From Funeral Scams
• What To Do If A Funeral Home Has Scammed You
• How Can We Help You

What Funeral Scams Are And How They Work

Funeral scams are typically perpetrated by unscrupulous funeral home directors, cremation providers, and other funeral service providers. They take advantage of people during grief and loss when they may be more willing to make decisions without thinking them through.

Prepaid Funeral Package Scam

One of the most common funeral scams is the prepaid funeral package scam. In this scam, a funeral home director or service provider convinces you to pay for your loved one’s funeral in advance. They may promise this will save you money or give you peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of.

Prepaid Cremation Package Scam

Another common scam is the prepaid cremation package scam. In this scam, a cremation provider convinces you to pay for your loved one’s cremation in advance. Preneed cremation providers will ensure that you save money by prepaying, but this is not always the case.

Funeral Insurance Scam

A third funeral scam to be aware of is the funeral insurance scam. In this scam, a funeral home director or service provider convinces you to buy a graded life insurance policy to pay for your loved one’s funeral expenses in advance and make the funeral director your beneficiary.

Funeral Bill Scam

A fourth scam that is becoming more common is the funeral bill scam. In this scam, a funeral home director or other service provider gives you a funeral bill that is much higher than you expected.

They may claim that the price of the casket or funeral services has increased or that you authorized additional services that you don’t remember. If you’re not careful, you could end up paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than you intended.

Limited Casket Option Scam

Another common funeral scam is the limited casket option scam. In this scam, a funeral home director will try to sell you a more expensive casket than you need by telling you that the cheaper caskets are of inferior quality or won’t last as long.

They may also tell you that buying the most expensive casket is the only way to ensure your loved one has a proper burial. This is simply not true, and you should never feel pressured into buying a more expensive casket than you can afford.

Embalming Scam

A final funeral scam to be aware of is the embalming scam. In this scam, a funeral home director will try to sell you the benefits of embalming your loved one’s body, even if it is not wanted or needed.

They may tell you that it’s required by law when it is not. Or they may say that it will preserve your loved one’s body for a longer period when in reality, it only delays decomposition.

Special Casket Gasket Scam

The funeral home director or other service providers will try to sell you the benefits of using an expensive gasket that will prevent decomposition.

They may claim this is the only way to ensure your loved one’s body is properly preserved. However, there are much cheaper and more effective ways to prevent decomposition than expensive gaskets.

Max Your Insurance Scam

The funeral home director or other service providers will ask if you have insurance and then try to sell you a package covering your entire insurance amount.

They will say this is the only way to ensure your loved one’s funeral is paid for. However, you can usually designate a specific amount of your life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses.

If you max out your life insurance policy, there’s nothing left for your family when you die. This could leave them in a difficult financial situation.

Our Funeral Products Are Superior Scam

The funeral home director or other service providers will try to sell you the benefits of using their funeral products, even if they are more expensive than what you can find elsewhere.

They may claim that their caskets are of superior quality or that their urns are the only ones that will properly preserve your loved one’s ashes. However, this is usually not the case.

You can usually find cheaper and just as effective funeral products elsewhere.

How To Avoid Funeral Scams

The best way to avoid funeral scams is to be prepared and informed. While funeral scams are becoming more common, there are ways to avoid them if you know what to look for.

If you’re planning a funeral, be sure to do your research ahead of time to know what to expect and avoid any potential scams. By being aware of the different funeral scams above, you can protect yourself and your family from being taken advantage of during a difficult time.

You can also talk to your family and friends about their experiences with funeral scammers and get their input on which providers to use. And finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.

If you have any questions or concerns, ask your funeral planner. They should be able to put your mind at ease and help you plan a beautiful and memorable funeral for your loved one.

And finally, don’t be afraid to shop around. You don’t have to use the first funeral home or service provider you find. If you’re uncomfortable with them or something doesn’t seem right, look for another provider who can give you the service and support you need during this difficult time.

How To Protect Yourself From Funeral Scams

In addition to being prepared and informed, you can do other things to protect yourself from funeral scams.

• Don’t make any decisions in the first few days after death. Take some time to grieve and then make decisions when you’re thinking more clearly.
• Check out the funeral home or cremation provider before using their services. Make sure they’re licensed and accredited. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against them.
• Get multiple bids for funeral services. This will help ensure that you’re not being overcharged.
• Ask questions and get clarification on all charges before making any payments.
• Get everything in writing. This includes estimates, contracts, and agreements. This will help ensure that you understand what you agree to and that everyone is on the same page.
• Read all documents carefully before signing them. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand or haven’t explained fully.
• Be wary of anyone who pressures you into making decisions or signing documents.
• Don’t pay for services upfront. Paying for services after they’ve been rendered is a much safer option.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a refund if you feel like you’ve been scammed.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from funeral scams. If you’re ever in doubt or have any concerns, don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek out a second opinion. Your goal is to ensure that your loved one’s funeral is handled with care and respect- not to be taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals. With a little effort, you can ensure that their final send-off is everything you want.

What To Do If A Funeral Home Scammed You

If you think you may have been the victim of a funeral scam, there are some steps you can take to resolve the issue.

• First, contact the funeral home or cremation provider and explain the situation. They should be willing to work with you to correct the problem if they’re legitimate.
• Next, file a complaint with your state’s consumer protection agency. This will help them investigate the funeral home and take action if necessary.
• You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC investigates scams and takes action against companies that engage in deceptive or unfair practices.
• Finally, you can contact an attorney if you’ve suffered financial losses from the scam.

How Can We Help You?

Trying to find an insurance policy if you want to avoid funeral scams to preplan your funeral needn’t be a frustrating process; working with an independent agency like Funeral Funds will make the process easier and quicker.

We’ll work with you every step to determine the plan that best fits your financial needs and budget. Since we handle everything for you, you won’t have to waste more time hunting for many insurance providers.

We will assist you in securing the coverage you need at a rate you can afford. So, if you are looking for funeral, burial, or life insurance to cover your funeral, fill out our quote form on this page or call us at 888) 862-9456, and we can give you an accurate quote.