Planning for death preps families and saves burden
The article surveys preplanning and prepaying funerals as a growing trend. It notes AARP and funeral directors in Iowa emphasize planning finances and services to spare survivors, with Cedar Memorial and others reporting variable shares of prearranged funerals. It cites a 1999 NFDA survey and an AARP 1998 poll.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa City
Holmes
Cedar Memorial Funeral Home
Cedar Rapids
Brent Miller
Miller
Brosh Funeral Chapel
Tom Willems
Peter Teahen
Teahen
GAY & Ciha Funeral
Dan Ciha
Cedar Memorial
National Funeral Directors Association
AARP
Koeppl
Planning a Funeral: smart shopping and legal rights
Plan in advance to discuss options with family, compare prices, and obtain an itemized price list. State laws may require disclosure of any unselected items, and the federal Funeral Rule prohibits refusals to handle a third party casket. Consider cost cuts like shorter viewings and outfits, and note you can buy a casket elsewhere.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Federal Trade Commission
Iowa Attorney General's Office
Funeral planning resources and guides cited for end of life
A compilation of sites, organizations, and books offering funeral planning advice and consumer protection tips. Includes AARP, FTC, Iowa AG Consumer Protection, NPR Exploring Death in America, Last Acts, NFDA, Funeral Consumers Alliance, PBS On Our Own Terms, and a list of related titles and authors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
AARP
Aarp.org
Des Moines
Federal Trade Commission
Ftc.gov
Consumer Protection Division
Iowa
National Public Radio
America
Npr
Lastacts
National Funeral Directors Association
Nfda.org
Funeral Consumers Alliance
Funerals.org
Thirteen.org
Framing the Last Rites A Son Seeks Meaning Beyond Funeral Costs
Thomas Lynch, Milford Michigan poet, essayist and funeral director, reflects on his father’s death and the evolving culture of funerals from pre arrangements to cremation. He explores grief, memory, and choosing a personal ritual that honors family ties and legacy beyond price.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mike
Michael
Weather Channel
North America
Thomas Lynch
Milford, Mich
Findingourway
Sayings On Death Across Cultures From Ancient Customs
Excerpts describe burial customs among plains tribes with above ground or tree burials and bone retrieval for sacred grounds. Nez Perce Old Chief Joseph warns against selling bones. Muslim, Jewish and Hindu funeral rites emphasize respect for the dead, ashores of cremation, mourning, and meal rituals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Plains
Joseph
Nez Perce
Lynne Ann DeSpelder
Albert Lee Strickland
Pushan
Agni
Richard P. Taylor
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ken Holmes
Leasing Funeral & Cremation Ser
Bill Jorgensen
Lensing
Jacob Wittrock
Murdoch Linwood Funeral Home
Wilson Ave
Neil Chetnik
Hyperion
Hope Edelman
Delta
Abdullah Fatteh
Naaz Fatteh
David R. Pearson
Health Information
Earl Grolliman
Centering Corp
W.W. Norton & Co
Stuart M. Matlins
Skylight Paths
Richard John Neuhaus
University of Notre Dame Press
Stephen R. Prothero
University of California Press
Sarah York
John Wiley & Sons
U.S. Army
Ohio
Anita Diamant
Matt Sedrel
Heather Ahrens
Diane Micka
Rick Kullander
Susan Eaton
Elsie Grimm
Diana Carpenter
Ardy Cherry
Don Rajtora
Murphy
Craig Davis
Joe Conner
Larry Sedrel
Bob Wilkes
Jean Perkins
Susan Norman
Dick Ramsey
Tom Zachat
Nancy Ocheltree
Doug Lemon
Terry Knake
Tom Davis
Judy Sloane
Carol Morgan
Kim Laub
Johnny Stewe
Patricia Reaburn
Renee Stramel
Skogman
Pat Murphy
Carolyr Shay
Errol Lindsey
8Th Ave
Edgewood Rd
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