When in the midst of funeral planning, it is often extremely helpful when funeral directors work with you (instead of against you) to help you make great informed decisions about what will fit your funeral cost budget. Many funeral directors take advantage of consumer's emotional states during this tough time and try to just sell, rather than considering the person may not be ready to make the best decision for their budget.

Not all funeral parlor directors are like this though and some, do try to help you stay within your funeral planning budget. Below are some tips that have come from funeral directors to help consumers make one of the most important decisions they will ever have to make: How to make a respectful, but cost efficient funeral and burial for their loved one who has passed away.

Said one funeral director, "Funerals should be treated like any other consumer transaction by comparing costs and services. Charges at different funeral homes in the same metropolitan area can vary by thousands of dollars, so it pays to shop around."

A new federal law has been enforced by the Federal Trade Commission which makes comparison shopping for funeral planning much easier today than it ever has been. The law is called the funeral rule.

The funeral rule mandates that funeral directors provide an itemized list of services and what those services cost. The law was created to help alleviate the pressure that grieving people sometimes feel when they sit one on one with funeral directors in person. In cases like those, consumers can often feel pressured to make on the spot decisions, many of which they are not ready to make. Making quick decisions under pressure when funeral planning, can often throw a person way above their budget as they are purchasing through pressure, guilt and emotions rather than rational common sense.

Funeral directors would often sell bundled packages to consumers. Many services or products in these bundles were not things that were truly necessary, but because of the consumer's emotional state, he or she could not truly focus and make the best choices. The new funeral rule, can make funeral planning a less stressful experience.

The information given in writing about funeral planning costs for services and products gives the mourner time to read, reflect and decide what is best for them and their finances. For another instance, this new rule has ceased funeral directors from forcing consumers to buy casket from them, which are often sold at much higher prices than what could be found elsewhere; even online. The funeral rule says that funeral homes must accept any casket or urn, even if purchased from another funeral parlor or online.

Written by KC Kelly, Ph.D.