Preventing Fraud

1. 

   "Planning a funeral is a prime time to get buried in fraud." aarp.org
   
   

   As much as we may not like it, we - as caregivers - will be planning a funeral.  Perhaps it is best to not leave it to the very end -- with this information that fraud can take place, especially when one is under pressure and stress.  Things to remember:  upon first visit funeral homes are required by law to provide you with 3 lists of costs:  one for the all materials and service, one for the casket, and one for anything extra.  Funeral homes cannot insist upon you buying services that are not required by law, such as embalming, or insist you buy the caskets from them.  You cannot be charged extra for buying the casket somewhere else -- a common way people can save money.  In Federal investigations, 1 in 4 funeral homes were in violation of these rules.  Preplanning the funeral is important, but perhaps not prepaying, as these have also been found to sometimes be schemes.