Final Expenses Insurance

The funeral industry has always operated with very little regard for consumer rights, pushing and selling services to their customers that were costly and unnecessary; keeping prices hidden until it came time to pay the bill. However, even though funeral homes are required to follow regulations outlined in the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral since 1984, funeral scams are still very prominent today.

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Did you know...

Up until 1970's nearly 100% of U.S. funeral homes were independently owned. Now, roughly 14% of U.S. funeral homes are owned by publicly traded corporations that stand to profit from the growing aged population in America.

Coffins are a large component of funeral costs. The mark-up on coffins by funeral directors can be greater than 100%. Robert Larkins, a family law barrister, suggests it could be as high as 200-500% in his book Funeral Rights.

Retailers like Costco, Wal-Mart and independent online stores price their caskets at about half of similar ones sold by the funeral homes.

One in four funeral homes in the U.S. regularly commit crucial violations of Federal Trade Commission laws that were enacted to protect the consumer.

Many funeral home directors falsely claim that state law requires embalming, when, in most states, it is not mandatory. Profits from embalming range from $700 to $3,000, so it is not in the home's interests to give you the facts.

A casket that sells for $1295 at a funeral home will typically wholesale for about $325.

My elderly grandparents were exploited when they paid vast sums for prepaid funerals only to then have the funeral home require my parents to pay again ... The funeral home was very sneaky and duplicitous ... Hidden costs were only mentioned at the time of grieving. It was just very sneaky, and seemed to take advantage of my mom’s grieving.” The funeral was thousands of dollars more expensive in the end. “At no point was it made clear that they were extras,” he said. “It seemed very exploitative and tactical."

- Anonymous

A recently widowed woman, Felicity Johnson, is calling for further funeral cost transparency, due to what she experienced when her late husband, Michael, died in 2013. “My husband’s funeral cost was a shock and after the horrendous medical costs for him when he was dying, I was left with a huge hole in my wallet,” Mrs. Johnson said. What was even worse were the hidden charges, with the funeral home she chose making her pay costs she was previously told were included. “It’s your grief. They get you at a very vulnerable time ... I’m quite a strong person, but a lot of people are not, and they come out shocked at what it costs."

- Felicity Johnson

Why are final expenses or burial insurance a good idea?

1. It can help you qualify for Medicaid by sheltering your assets.

2. Because you want to leave good memories, not bills. Like everything today, funeral costs are rising. It's not uncommon for funerals to cost many thousands of dollars, potentially leaving loved ones with a big financial burden.

3. Because your loved ones deserve caring expert support. On your behalf, AIL insurance immediately goes into action to help surviving loved ones in charge of funeral arrangements cope with the many details that immediately arise.

4. Because you want your wishes carried out perfectly. Your wishes will be recorded. You decide the style of funeral you want. Your surviving loved ones will know exactly which choices you’ve made – eliminating confusion and stress.

5. Because Final Expenses insurance can help cover not only funeral expenses but also any last medical expenses or other costs incurred near the end of life.

6. No medical exam

7. No waiting period

America's $20.7 Billion Industry Is Taking Advantage Of People At Their Most Vulnerable

Did you know...

Here Are Some Real Life Stories Of Innocent People Who Got Scammed By Funeral Homes

Why are final expenses or burial insurance a good idea?