This report responds to your request that we examine various issues involving211u001econsumers' dealings with funeral-related or death care industries, which include 211u001ebusinesses that provide funeral and cemetery goods or services. You expressed 211u001econcern about consumers who may be faced with unneeded or inflated expenses or 211u001eunfair or deceptive sales practices at a time when they are highly vulnerable-211u001eafter the death of a loved one. You further stated that recent media accounts 211u001ehave focused on the need for consumers to approach death care transactions with 211u001econsiderable caution, especially because these purchases can be some of the most 211u001ecostly and emotionally difficult financial transactions a consumer can make. As 211u001eagreed with your offices, our objectives were to (1) describe the availability of 211u001einformation on the nature and extent of consumer complaints about death care 211u001eindustries, (2) describe and assess the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) efforts 211u001eto ensure compliance with its Funeral Rule, and (3) provide information on 211u001eselected state governments' roles in protecting consumers in their death care 211u001etransactions. The selected states were California, Florida, Maryland, New York, 211u001eand Texas We focused on transactions concerning funeral homes; cemeteries; and 211u001epreplanned and prepaid funeral arrangements, commonly known as preneed 211u001earrangements.
展开▼
