Florists active in the sympathy business market will be reassured to know the federal "Funeral Rule" is still in place. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently decided to maintain the regulation that funeral homes cannot force clients to purchase goods and services, such as flowers, as part of the funeral home services.

The FTC recently made public the results of its 2007 "test shopping" sweeps of the "Funeral Rule." The sweeps are done periodically to monitor compliance with the rules and regulations. The FTC evaluated a number of factors, including the relative costs and benefits of the rule, the effect on consumer choice and competition as well as industry compliance. The final determination was that the rule is adequately addressing the unfair and deceptive practices originally discovered by the Commission.
 
In place since 1984, the rule requires all funeral homes to promptly present clients with an itemized "General Price List" (GPL) containing prices for commonly used funeral services and goods, versus the previous practice of offering set prices in bundled packages. The GPL allows consumers to make informed decisions about which goods and services they desire purchasing, according to the FTC Web site.

If you suspect a funeral home in your area is in violation of the Funeral Rule, please contact the FTC. SAF members may also call John S. Satagaj, an experienced small-business attorney, for a free, 15-minute consultation. Call (202) 639-8888 or fax (202) 296-5333.

--Morgan Schimminger
mschimminger@safnow.org

 

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