SaxInTheCity's Blog

Our parents, our grandparents.

As they get older, the time comes to plan for the inevitable.

Yet, how prepared are you to organize a funeral for a loved one?

Who do you call? Who do you trust?

Times of sorrow and grief can become even more painful if we’re not careful.

“Funeral Fraud” originally aired April 7th, 2008.

Tips on making your funeral and burial pre-arrangements:

-Before you visit a funeral home, call the State Comptroller’s consumer hotline at 1-877-203-3401.  They can tell you if a funeral home is in good standing and if it’s properly licensed to sell pre-arrangements.

-The State Comptroller’s website offers a list of frequently asked questions regarding Illinois cemeteries, funeral homes, and crematories as well as information on filing a complaint against a cemetery or funeral home.

-You can also print brochures outlining your legal rights and responsibilities when purchasing pre-need services. Log onto http://www.ioc.state.il.us. At the top, click on “departments.” Under “departments”, click “cemetery care”.

-Check to make sure your funeral director’s business license is in good standing with the State Department of Professional Regulation. Log onto http://www.idfpr.com/ and click on “license lookup.”

-When meeting a funeral director, take someone with you who you believe will be able to take responsibility for your final arrangements after your death.

-Always read the contract.

-Ask for documentation and proof that your money has been deposited into a life insurance policy or a third party trust.

-Check on your arrangements yearly.

-If you feel a funeral home or director is operating dishonestly or if you feel you’ve become a victim, call 311 or the Better Business Bureau (http://chicago.bbb.org/) and report the problem.