Funeral Misconceptions Debunked in “The Funeral Preplanning Guide”
One of the most thrilling aspects of being a writer is seeing people react passionately to your work. Sometimes, the reaction is passionately positive. Sometimes, it’s passionately negative. Regardless, we at Valley of Life were excited to discover that The Funeral Preplanning Guide has received its first blog review.
It was especially nice to see a funeral director take the time to read and review my book. In truth, The Funeral Preplanning Guide is not a book I expected many funeral directors to take a shine to. After all, the guide falls directly on the side of consumers and aims to help them avoid overpaying for funeral services—a goal that doesn’t exactly mesh well with a funeral director’s need to make money and thrive.
Although the review is not favorable, the reviewer does seem to demonstrate concern about the public being misled when it comes to certain aspects of burial. I respect him for that, particularly in an industry that has an unfortunate reputation for profiting from people’s misconceptions. I also share his concern, which is why one of the goals of The Funeral Preplanning Guide is to debunk some of these misconceptions so consumers do not end up unwittingly making choices that run contrary to their actual wishes.
Here are a few of the misconceptions the reviewer points out, most of which I came across in my research and aimed to set straight in The Funeral Preplanning Guide:
MYTH: Having your body embalmed, buried and sealed in a casket with all the protective “bells and whistles” will help keep your body whole.
FACT: “Don’t spend money on casket protection features. No matter how much you spend on your casket, your body will decompose. Gaskets, seals, and liners can’t stop the body’s natural decomposition process, so don’t pay extra for them.” (The Funeral Preplanning Guide Vol. Two, p. 25)
MYTH: Being cremated is more environmentally friendly than burial.
FACT: “Although cremation requires far fewer resources than a traditional burial, crematoriums do burn large amounts of fossil fuels, and there is growing concern over the toxins released in the cremation process, particularly mercury.” (The Funeral Preplanning Guide Vol. One, p. 19)
MYTH: An organic or “green” burial is more expensive than a traditional burial.
FACT: This one is not quite so simple. As the reviewer aptly points out, in some cases it’s true that elements of a green burial can cost even more than elements of a traditional burial. Nontoxic embalming fluid, for example, costs about twice as much as mass-produced, chemical embalming fluid, he notes.
On the other hand, a savvy consumer seeking a more natural burial—without the usual trappings such as embalming fluid, non-biodegradable coffin and grave marker—can be buried at locations such as the White Eagle Memorial Preserve in Goldendale, Wash., for one-half to two-thirds the cost of a traditional funeral.
The truth is, “the costs for a green burial vary widely according to organization, so do your homework and price check your local options.” (The Funeral Preplanning Guide Vol. Two, p. 21) In other words, there are many different types of funeral services and cemeteries that are billed as “green” for various reasons. Some are more expensive than others. Some are easier to utilize than others. As a consumer, it’s vital to do your research and know what you’re looking for.
And that goes for all aspects of preplanning a funeral. Shop around. Compare prices. Ask the right questions. And if you’re not sure what the right questions are—that’s where The Funeral Preplanning Guide can help.
Best Wishes,
Miri Rossitto
Tags: burial misconceptions, consumer information, funeral preplanning, The Funeral Preplanning Guide
