| The Pennsylvania Funeral Directors
Association (PFDA) was organized in 1881, is a member of the National Funeral
Directors Association and claims to be the largest state funeral directors association
in the United States. Their mission statement is “to inform and educate
the funeral director, the public and the government about the value of funeral
service and licensed funeral directors on a pre-need and post-need basis.”
The PFDA provides the following
benefits to its members: legal and regulatory memos, consultations
with the Association’s attorney, education and professional development, updates
on latest consumer trends and business practices and much more. One
of the organization’s major concerns is the increase of unlicensed practitioners
in the funeral service industry and the PFDA lobbies actively against this
issue with the state legislature. They
suggest that consumers plan ahead for their own funerals so that the economic
as well as emotional burden of planning will be removed from their surviving spouse
or family members. In addition, preplanning ensures that the consumer will
have funeral arrangements followed according to their own wishes.
The PFDA also provides a list of
helpful tips and recommendations for the consumer when making pre-need funeral
arrangements. (1)
They suggest that a family member or friend accompany the consumer to any meetings.
(2) Tape the conversations of all
sales people – with their consent. (3)
Have a list of questions prepared before each meeting and take notes.
(4) All contracts should be carefully
read before signing and should be reviewed by the consumer’s legal advisor.
(5) Be sure that every aspect of
the pre-need agreement is included in the contract. The contract should
also carry a clause allowing the consumer to change his or her mind and cancel
all arrangements within three days. (6)
Find out the name of the bank or insurance company designated as the plan’s trustee
and be sure your funds are insured and transferable if necessary.
(7) Ascertain exactly what services
and products are included in the contract and be aware that the services of a
funeral director are always required in the State of Pennsylvania.
(8) Inform your family where you
are keeping your copy of the pre-need contract.
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