Where can I turn for help in choosing cost-effective mortuary services and burial arrangements?
From an economic standpoint, choosing the institution to handle your burial is probably the most important final arrangement that you can make. For this reason, many people join memorial or funeral societies, which help them find local mortuaries that will deal honestly with their survivors and charge reasonable prices. Society members are free to choose whatever final arrangements they wish. Most societies, however, emphasize simple arrangements over the costly services often promoted by the funeral industry. The services offered by each society differ, but most societies distribute information on options and explain the legal rules that apply to final arrangements. If you join a society, you will receive a form that allows you to plan for the goods and services you want — and to get them for a predetermined cost. Many societies also serve as watchdogs, making sure that you get and pay for only the services you choose. The cost for joining these organizations is low — usually from $
