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September 5, 2008 12:46:36 PM CDT

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'Predatory' Funeral Industry Comes Under Fire

Posted Jul 5, 08 6:21 PM CDT in US,  Business,  Glossies 

(Newser) – The funeral industry preys on bereft customers, artificially raising prices and taking custody of bodies it has no right to handle, argues a watchdog group. The Funeral Consumers Alliance aims to push fair and environmentally friendly death-care practices, Newsweek reports. “Funeral corporations use predatory sales tactics and aggressive marketing to get people to spend on services they don't need,” says the group’s director.

About 11% of the multi-billion-dollar industry is controlled by four of these firms, and death-care lobbyists hold heavy sway over state lawmakers. “I want people to be shocked," said the alliance director. "In some states, the body belongs to the mortuary by state law. And once a funeral director has got a body," he'll charge thousands in fees. The group is suing the corporations over their business practices.

Source Newsweek

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The watchdog group aims to promote green funeral practices.   (Shutterstock)
The Funeral Consumers Alliance says death-care corporations don't treat customers fairly.   (Shutterstock)
The Funeral Consumers Alliance works for changes to what it sees as unfair death-care practices.   (Shutterstock)
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environment  • death  • funeral  • cremation  • watchdog  • burial  • funeral home


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