When a loved one dies, grieving family members face the need to make dozens of decisions about funeral arrangements. Unless the family or the deceased have made advance funeral arrangements, these decisions will have to be made very quickly and while under great stress. What kind of funeral would the deceased want? What funeral provider should you use? What would your traditions suggest that you do, versus what you are legally required to do? And, as cold as it may sound, how much is it all going to cost?

Ultimately, the funeral should reflect wise and well-informed purchasing decisions, as well as a meaningful ones for the bereaved. Every year, Americans spend billions of dollars arranging more than 2 million funerals for family members and friends. If they knew what to ask, what they were legally required to do, and what would be optional, many consumers would be better prepared to make these important decisions.

Much of the funeral "industry" in the United States is now regulated, so consumers can more easily purchase just what they want, at a price they understand and can afford before they make a committment. The Family Funeral Guide explains what you need to know about arranging a funeral in a concise and easy-to-read form.

The Family Funeral Guide is downloadable as a pdf file. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open pdf files. Here's where you can get a free copy of the Acrobat Reader

Download The Family Funeral Guide