Despite not having prearranged funeral preparations – even when you or someone you know is faced with the unexpected passing of a family member – as a consumer you should take deliberate steps not to become an easy target for high prices. In these situations, many are confronted with lofty prices when they are compelled to make a fast decision. Particularly in cases where the primary wage-earner passes, it is of the utmost importance to protect your assets, thereby securing your financial solvency and protecting your family.

When a family member passes, oftentimes the surviving spouse or family member may feel compelled to commemorate their life by giving them the best cremation urn, casket, service, etc. Unfortunately, in many people’s minds “the best” all too often translates into spending the most amount of money possible. This especially is the case when the departed’s representative is seated across from a funeral director who knows he or she has a captive audience. Many people are reluctant or are just not comfortable negotiating and doing comparative shopping while in a vulnerable state. They have the perception that it is in bad taste to negotiate price during such a sensitive time. While that perception serves the merchant’s financial interest, it helps neither the bereaved nor their family. It’s a safe bet that in life your loved one wouldn’t want you to overpay for a car or boat, so why should that be any different when they pass? There is little doubt that hey would have wanted you to keep expenses to a minimum.

Many people experience a profound sense of guilt if they don’t do everything possible for a departed loved one. This is human nature. The fact of the matter is that we have truly done everything we could for that person in life. What we do after a loved one passes is truly done for our own benefit. We feel better about ourselves if we provide the best we can for someone after they’re gone. When in the situation where you must purchase a cremation urn, casket, or funeral service, you should remember that the price presented to you is directly correlated to the environment in which you are making the decision. For example, when you are at a funeral home with the express purpose of making arrangements for a loved one’s death, the funeral home’s representative is very much aware that odds are you will be purchasing the urn or casket from them, in addition to the memorial services, director involvement, and other items, such as guest book, memorial cards, and flowers. That being the case you can be confident that the price of the cremation urn you will be paying will be far and above that of an urn you could purchase online or through some other alternative source. Keep in mind that if you do purchase a cremation urn over the web from an online retailer, that urn can many times be shipped the same day with next day shipping. In addition, by way of the FTC’s “Funeral Rule” the funeral home is compelled to use the urn or casket that you supply them. It does not have to be purchased from the funeral home.

There is nothing unique about funeral products, such as urns or caskets. They enjoy no more special status than any other product you may wish to purchase. Simply stated, urns and caskets are nothing more than products and are produced in much the same way as any other. Funeral products can be sold to multiple vendors and are then priced according to the contraints of the market in which they are sold. So, for the consumer this means that coupled with the resources of the Internet along with the realization that they are indeed just products, you are armed with the opportunity to research and comparatively shop for the best urn or casket that meets your needs at a reasonable price – a price you can truly afford. The bottom line is that quality is not a sacrifice you must make when attempting to save money during perhaps the most difficult period in your life. You are indeed fighting a battle of perception when you are emotionally vulnerable. This more than any other is the time to exercise restraint and common sense, and not allow yourself to fall victim to your own emotions.

Author Bio: Todd Witengier is the V.P. of Marketing for Urns of America, an online provider of quality cremation urns. Browse and shop online by visiting our website at http://www.urnsofamerica.com.

Category: Death
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