Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love: A Complete Guide for Those Making Funeral Arrangements With or Without a Funeral Director

Although written from a Protestant perspective, it is recommended in FishEaters's article: [Burying the Dead: Catholic Funerals](https://www.fisheaters.com/funerals.html) 1. Personal stories 2. What is a "traditional" American funeral? 3. Managing death: necessary information 4. A free funeral: starting a funeral committee in your congregation 5. Cremation with dignity / by Patsy Santoro 6. Body and organ donation: let the dead teach the living 7. Tales from a country coroner / by Susan McIver 8. Burial: public, religious, and family cemeteries 9. For-profit cemeteries: no rest for the unwary 10. Understanding the tricks of the funeral trade: a changing deathcare industry 11. Embalming: "a beautiful memory picture"? 12. Caskets & other boxes, markers & memorials --The body snatchers: preneed greed 13. Federal Trade Commission: boon and boondoggle 14. Funeral planning societies: a consumer's right to choose 15. Caring for the dead in: [states] 16. Appendix: Ethical standards, unprofessional conduct, & filing a complaint 17. Consumer's guide to the FTC funeral rule 18. Death certificate details 19. A good neighbor's list for a time of death Many states (e.g., Arizona [ARS 36.329.01](https://www.azleg.gov/search/oop/qfullhit.asp?CiWebHitsFile=/ars/36/00329-01.htm)) require death certificates for fetal deaths ≥20 wks., regardless if the cause of death is spontaneous (miscarriage) or elective abortion. This is a comprehensive guide for consumers making funeral arrangements for a family member or friend. It contains detailed descriptions of the "tricks of the funeral trade," to avoid unneeded, unwanted, and overpriced goods and services, and how to file a complaint when subjected to unethical funeral practices. It provides practical information on all aspects of death care, so that families, friends, and church groups can perform some or all of the functions themselves rather than hiring a funeral director. The laws and regulations of each state are described in easy-to-understand language, with listings of "consumer concerns" in states that have inadequate protections for consumers. The individual chapters for each state also include contact information for medical schools that have a need for body donations, crematories, local nonprofit memorial societies, and specific statewide cautions about dealing with funeral and cemetery establishments. The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule is explained, including the protections it provides for consumers and also its shortcomings.

About the Author
Lisa Carlson, an outspoken social activist for consumer rights in dealings with the funeral industry, is executive director of Funeral Consumers Alliance. FCA is a federation of more than 100 local, nonprofit, volunteer-run societies that monitor the industry for consumers, survey the prices of area establishments, and sometimes serve as buying clubs to obtain the lowest funeral prices for members. Close to half a million Americans belong to an FCA organization in their area. Carlson spent 12 years researching and writing this landmark book.

Includes bibliographical references and index Personal stories -- What is a "traditional" American funeral? -- Managing death: necessary information -- A free funeral: starting a funeral committee in your congregation -- Cremation with dignity / by Patsy Santoro -- Body and organ donation: let the dead teach the living -- Tales from a country coroner / by Susan McIver -- Burial: public, religious, and family cemeteries -- For-profit cemeteries: no rest for the unwary -- Understanding the tricks of the funeral trade: a changing deathcare industry -- Embalming: "a beautiful memory picture"? -- Caskets & other boxes, markers & memorials --The body snatchers: preneed greed -- Federal Trade Commission: boon and boondoggle -- Funeral planning societies: a consumer's right to choose -- Caring for the dead in: [states] -- Appendix: Ethical standards, unprofessional conduct, & filing a complaint -- Consumer's guide to the FTC funeral rule -- Death certificate details -- A good neighbor's list for a time of death "A complete guide for those making funeral arrangements with or without a funeral director." "Funeral law for the consumer." This is a comprehensive guide for consumers making funeral arrangements with or without a funeral director. It contains detailed descriptions of the "tricks of the funeral trade", to avoid unwanted and overpriced goods and services, and how to file a complaint when subjected to unethical funeral home practices. It provides practical information on all aspects of death care, so that family, friends, and church groups can perform some or all of the functions themselves rather than hiring a funeral director. The laws and regulations of each state are described in easy-to-understand language, with listings of "consumer concerns" in states that have inadequate protections for consumers. The individual chapters for each state also include contact information for medical schools that have a need for body donations, crematories, local non-profit memorial societies, and specific statewide cautions about dealing with funeral and cemetery establishments. The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule is explained, including the protections it provides for consumers and also its shortcomings. 1981. It was 2:30 A.M. when I woke up and found the empty space in our bed.