The Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule

The FTC has a funeral rule. It must be adhered to by all funeral directors when starting to make funeral arrangements with a family. Legitimate complaints to the Federal Trade Commission and other regulatory agencies are very important.

The Federal Trade Commission can be reached by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP. You can request a complaint form and a booklet titled "Complying with the Funeral Rule" which outlines your rights. You can find the office nearest you by visiting their webiste at t http://www.ftc.gov/ro/romap2.htm/

Burial Vaults

A burial vault is a concrete box that is placed into the grave before the casket. It is used to protect the casket and to prevent the ground from sinking due to the decaying of the casket.

It has become common for most cemeteries to require the use of a vault. This keeps the grounds from becoming uneven and difficult to walk on. It also helps the headstones to stay upright and makes maintenance of the grounds easier.

Natural burial grounds do not require the use of a vault.