Around 2.4 million funerals take place in the United States each year, according to US Funerals Online. While most people know that funeral plans are important to make, they don't always plan ahead. Whether you're creating your own funeral plans or trying to handle the task for a loved one who passed away, you need to ensure you're working with a high-quality funeral home. Here are some tips for finding the right home.

Ask for Recommendations

Find out if your family members or friends have recommendations for a funeral home in the area. Remember to consider the distance between the funeral home and other locations that are important. This might be the church if you're having a service there or the cemetery for burial.

Ask About the Pricing Structure

Funeral homes are governed by the FTC Funeral Rule. One component of this is that they must provide pricing for services over the phone. They must also provide you with a General Price List and a Casket Price List if you go into the funeral home. These provide important information about the services the funeral home offers. All funeral homes must allow a person to pick and choose what services they want.

Once you tell a funeral home what you want, they'll provide you with a written statement that outlines what you're paying for. This itemized statement must be provided immediately when you tell them what you want. You don't have to pay until after you receive that statement.

Talk to the Funeral Director

The funeral director should be compassionate and understanding while you're dealing with this matter. Discuss your wishes with them to determine if they'll be able to handle them. If you have any special requests, such as providing your own casket or urn, be sure to discuss those. Funeral directors should always be open to hearing your needs and the needs of a family. This is an important part of finding the right funeral home.

Ultimately, the funeral home you choose should make things as easy on you as possible as you make these arrangements. This is already a stressful time, so finding a reputable funeral home is one thing you can do to make it easier. Call us today at Flinch & Bruns Funeral Home, Inc. to speak with one of our directors.