Dealing with a family member who is facing a terminal or life long condition calls for those who are nearest to become caregivers. Care giving can be stressful and it can be rewarding. Remember a few tips. 
1. Pace yourself. This could be a long time so set up boundaries and a pace. It will change as the disease progresses, but it's good to start with a plan of action. 
2. Be sure to take time for yourself. Reward yourself. This is an act of love and commitment as you give of yourself. 
3. Consider joining a support group. You may not feel so alone in your care giving role. 
4. Search out information. Here is a great website to learn more.
   http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784


   

From the FTC press release


FTC Undercover Inspections of Funeral Homes in Nine States Test Compliance with Funeral Rule Disclosure RequirementsFTC’s Funeral Rule Requires Funeral Homes to Provide Price Lists to ConsumersFOR RELEASE
March 11, 2014TAGS:

 

• Funerals
 
• Bureau of Consumer Protection

Investigators working undercover in nine states found that, in 30 of the 122 funeral homes they visited during 2013, the funeral homes failed to disclose pricing information to consumers as required by the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule.

The FTC conducts undercover inspections every year to make sure that funeral homes are complying with the agency’s Funeral Rule. The Rule, issued in 1984, gives consumers important rights when making funeral arrangements. Key provisions of the Rule require funeral homes to provide consumers with an itemized general price list at the start of an in-person discussion of funeral arrangements, as well as a casket price list before consumers view any caskets and an outer burial container price list before they view grave liners or vaults. The Rule also prohibits funeral homes from requiring consumers to buy any item, such as a casket, as a condition of obtaining any other funeral good or service. By requiring itemized prices, the Funeral Rule enables consumers to compare prices and buy only the goods and services they want.

Funeral homes with price list disclosure violations can enter a training program designed to increase compliance with the Funeral Rule. The three-year program is known as the Funeral Rule Offenders Program (FROP), and is an alternative to an FTC lawsuit that could lead to a federal court order and civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation. It is run by the National Funeral Directors Association and provides participants with a legal review of the price disclosures required by the Funeral Rule, and on-going training, testing and monitoring for compliance with the Rule. In addition, funeral homes that participate in the program make a voluntary payment to the U.S. Treasury in place of a civil penalty, and pay annual administrative fees to the Association.

The results of the FTC inspections for price list disclosures by region are as follows:

• In Palm Springs, California, 1 of 8 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required;
• In Southern Connecticut and Northern New Jersey, 2 of 12 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required;
• In Monroe, Louisiana, 8 of 17 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
• In Baltimore, Maryland, 2 of 19 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
• In Dayton, Ohio, 5 of 15 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
• In Portland, Oregon, 2 of 14 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
• In Amarillo, Texas, 6 of 19 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.
• In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 4 of 18 funeral homes inspected failed to make a price list disclosure as required.

All but two of the funeral homes with price list disclosure violations have agreed to enter the NFDA’s FROP program. The names of homes that have entered FROP are not released under the terms of the FROP program, and the FTC does not identify businesses under investigation. In addition, the FTC identified a number of funeral homes within the nine states with only minor compliance deficiencies. In such cases, the FTC contacts the funeral home and requires it to provide evidence that it has corrected the problems. Since the FROP program began in 1996, the FTC has inspected over 2,800 funeral homes, 459 of which have agreed to enter the FROP program.

The FTC educates consumers in English and Spanish about their rights under the Funeral Rule, and provides guidance to businesses in how to comply. For more information read or order Paying Final Respects:  Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods & Services, Shopping for Funeral Services and Complying with the Funeral Rule.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

For nearly 30 years people have asked me,  "Should I prepay a funeral?"

The answer is not cut and dry.

As a general rule, I caution people in prepaying to a funeral home. There are several reasons. First, if you do pay the funeral home make a follow up call to the funeral home 35 days after the contract has been signed to be sure the money was placed in a trust or proper funding plan. DEMAND a receipt from the holding company, NOT the funeral home. Be sure to know a third party is holding your monies.The problem has been some funeral directors will take the money and NOT put place the funds in the proper accounts.  Funeral directors are required to place the prepaid funds in a trust or insurance company within 30 days of the transaction. News reports from all over Ohio have shown funeral director facing criminal issues due to this theft or misappropriation.  


Secondly, funeral homes are sold and the new owners may not be the people you want to conduct the funeral services or cremation. When the funeral business is sold the prepaid accounts typically transfer to the new owner. This could be problematic for the consumer. 


Lastly, call the state board of embalmers and funeral directors and inquire of the funeral home you are considering to use has file the proper annual reports disclosing their prepaid accounts. If the board tells you the funeral home has not filed the report you may want  consider an alternative plan.

When should you prepay?

There are two reasons I have found why people prepay. 
First, if you are trying to qualify for state assistance for long term care or medical care, and you need to reduce assets in order to qualify. Funeral cost is an allowable spend down expense.  Be sure to consult an qualified attorney regarding estate planning and spend down for your state before paying for a funeral in spend down.


Secondly.
There are people who desire to have everything - all their affairs- in order and buttoned up. They want to be sure their wishes are honored. They do not want their family or friends to have to deal with any details. If this is your situation or desire, then  prepay your funeral cost. But follow up and get all the details of where the monies are held. 


Our office can help you navigate the questions and process of planning your final wishes. Give us a call during normal business hours for more details. Do not sign ANY contract with a funeral home before you speak with us.