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This is the only site explaining the entire funeral industry, and revealing its deceptive tactics and confidential casket wholesale prices, outrageous
markups and profits -- kept "Top Secret" for a century to prevent the media from exposing the ripoff by all U.S. mortuaries of nearly every family.
In 1995, this site revealed to media and public for the first time in U.S. history both the industry's confidential wholesale casket prices and the fraud of
"Protective Sealer" caskets -- whose destruction of YOUR family's bodies has been kept secret by NFDA and ALL U.S. morticians to increase profits.
PHONE YOUR LOCAL TV/RADIO STATIONS AND NEWSPAPERS ABOUT THIS SITE.
These reports/photos/graphics by U.S. media will help them investigate and survey prices of your local mortuaries.
PRICES
PHONE your local mortuaries to check on the great amount of MARKUP and PROFIT they charge on each casket.
Method: Ask for the price of their lowest-priced metal casket and its brand name and model name and
number; then ask the same for the next several caskets higher in price. (If any refuse, remind them that the
FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requires them to give this information over the phone. Ask the salesperson
for his name and say that you will immediately report this to the FTC (202-326-3024) if he does not answer
your questions. Report any mortuary that doesn't accept "blocked Caller-ID calls." This is illegal for mortuaries.)
PHONE local mortuaries and ask if "protective seal" caskets damage bodies -- to see if they admit it. Ask why they display
these harmful caskets -- and why they try to coax all families to buy them, and why they DON'T WARN families about the severe damage.
PHONE your local TV/radio stations, newspapers and churches about the answers you receive to your questions above.
HELP with the proposed Class Action Suit to stop "sealer" fraud (possibly get a financial award if your family ever bought a "sealer" casket).
prices. The wholesale prices are correct within a few percentage points throughout the country.)
Keeping wholesale prices ABSOLUTELY SECRET FROM THE MEDIA and, thus, FROM FAMILIES is the ONLY way mortuaries can continue unhindered to ripoff nearly every U.S. family with extortionate 300 to 900 percent markups, and even higher.
The ENTIRE INDUSTRY has WORKED TOGETHER -- casket manufacturers, 22,000 mortuaries and pre-pay
plans -- throughout this century to keep these prices secret from the media to prevent the public from learning of the injustice and its extent, and revolting against it.
(Media reporters can test this secrecy for themselves by trying to obtain
wholesale prices from any mortuary, casket manufacturer or industry organization.)
1. . Ask the mortician on camera how much his/her wholesale prices and
markups are. Morticians usually answer that wholesale prices are high and that they
make "only a few dollars" profit on a casket.
2. . Then the reporter can point to a
particular casket for which he
has found the wholesale price and say: "You're charging $3,000 for that casket.
Its wholesale cost is only $500. That's a profit of $2,500. That's more than 'a few
dollars' profit. How do you explain that?" If the mortician has a good explanation,
he should be happy to provide it. If not, the camera may record a facial expression
which helps viewers understand differently about the claimed "good reputation" and
honesty of the mortuary and the industry.
3. . Such an interview and a creative
chart showing the cost, markup, retail price and profit on a few sample caskets is enough
for a short report on local ripoffs.
Families' rights -- Caskets: Most families don't know that the FTC gives them the right to use a casket they construct themselves or obtain from another mortuary or casket retail store. The FTC now prohibits mortuaries from charging "handling fees" when families have a casket delivered to the mortuary. (In the past, some mortuaries charged a "handling fee" of up to $1,000 or more to discourage families from obtaining caskets elsewhere.)
Decorations: Media need to explain to families that do not have to pay high
prices in order to have a "fancy" casket. Families have the right to buy the
least-expensive casket and then change the hardware or decorations on
a casket to make it more personal. Families can use art, embroidery or photographs
which they make or obtain from an art store or elsewhere. They don't need permission
of the "funeral DIRECTOR".
Mortuaries can easily obtain a variety of hardware for the outside corners, etc.,
and different decorative panels to place inside casket lids. Cooperative mortuaries
keep a variety of hardware on hand so that families can choose an inexpensive casket
and decorate it as they wish at little or no extra cost.
Recently, friends of a deceased fireman chose an inexpensive casket, sanded off
the original paint, and then painted it shiny red to honor their friend's life work.
Markups and profits: Most media and families have no idea of the extortionate markups and prices charged by most mortuaries, markups higher than in any other industry. Media need to provide the public with actual samples of the low wholesale prices and the high markups, prices and profits charged. Some media have used creative charts and caskets to illustrate the shocking figures; some of these graphics are displayed in the TV program documents. See the note below about notations used in the chart regarding markup calculations (dollars, percentages, etc.). (If any mortician wishes to dispute the figures, he/she should be willing to show reporters and families his wholesale price lists as proof of his claim.)
-----------------------------------------+----------------------------------------- | | | Families can order a casket from one of these retail dealers. They will ship | | the casket to the family or to the mortuary chosen. Some have it delivered | | within a few hours from a casket distributor near the family. | | The C.A. Howard Funeral Home has a home page on which it shows color photos of | | a number of caskets. | | The other sources listed below have caskets similar to the photos, or you can | | phone them for photos of other caskets they offer. | | Consumer Casket Sales offers a free BROCHURE OF COLOR PHOTOS OF CASKETS and | | prices. Phone their number below. | | (These sources are also listed in Document 4 -- Mortuary Prices.) | | (Contact these sources for any recent price changes.) | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | EDUARDO'S CASKETS; Phoenix, AZ; (602) 966-9676. | | Sells caskets 10-PERCENT OVER WHOLESALE | | (Lowest-priced metal: $275 your cost, plus shipping) | | Sells to families in Arizona and surrounding states, casket sent to mortuary. | | | | CUNNINGHAM'S AFFORDABLE Funeral Services; Livermore, CA; (510) 447-1000. | | Sells caskets $200 OVER WHOLESALE | | (Lowest-priced metal casket: $460 your cost.) | | Sells to families in the San Francisco Bay Area/Central Valley. | | | | C.A. HOWARD Funeral Home; Norfolk, VA; 1-(804) 627-7914. | | Sells caskets $200 OVER WHOLESALE | | (Lowest-priced metal casket: $440 your cost. No shipping charge) | | Sells to families IN ANY STATE, casket DELIVERED WITHIN A FEW HOURS to the | | mortuary the family chooses (delivered from a warehouse near the family). | | | | FAMILY HERITAGE CASKETS; Hamilton, Indiana; (219) 488-2121. | | Sells caskets $200 OVER WHOLESALE. | | Lowest-priced metal casket: $388. No shipping charge in three states. | | Carries wood caskets (mahogany, cherry, etc.) handmade by the Amish. || Delivers personally in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan for the price above. | | Delivers to other states for $200 over wholesale plus shipping charge. | | | | CONSUMER CASKET USA; Erie, PA, 1-(800) 611-8778 (free call). | | Sells caskets and urns at $200 OVER WHOLESALE. Many casket models & colors. | | Lowest-priced metal casket, five color choice: $485 your cost. | | Sells to families IN ANY STATE, casket DELIVERED WITHIN A FEW HOURS to the | | mortuary from a nearby warehouse. Pay by phone with any major credit card. | | Offers free BROCHURE OF COLOR PHOTOS OF CASKETS. Phone number above. | | | | CASON CASKET COMPANY; El Paso, Texas; (915) 566-9800. | | Sells caskets $200 OVER WHOLESALE | | Lowest-priced metal casket: $425 your cost, plus shipping | | | | AMISH CASKET COMPANY; Toledo, Ohio; 1-(800) 646-6014, Ext. 6848 | | (A private firm selling wood caskets handmade by an Amish craftsman) | | Sells the caskets 100% OVER WHOLESALE. Says profit goes to help missionaries. | | Lowest-priced casket: $700 plus shipping. Phone for color photos. | | Delivered within 24-hours to ANYWHERE IN U.S. | | Examples: Simple knotty pine, wood handles, stained: $700. | | Poplar, brown stain: $800. Solid oak, stained oak color, $1,300 | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
prices. More prices are currently being added.)
NOTE: The following price chart is a TABLE which needs a Netscape, Explorer or AOL-type browser to view it.
The price charts BELOW it have been put in a simpler form that all browsers can view (although not as attractive as a Table).
| ================================= | ======= | ============ | ======== | ========== | ======== | ======= |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASKETS Manufacturer, model number, popular name, material, colors (NS=Non-seal; S=Seal) |
WHOLE- SALE COST in most U.S. areas |
REASONABLE RETAIL PRICE 50-100% markup over whse. (equals 1.5 to 2 times wholesale) |
LOWEST RETAIL PRICE in the U.S. (1.5x whse. or $200 over whse.) |
MOST COMMON RETAIL PRICE in the U.S. (150-500% over whse) (2.5x & up) | HIGHEST RETAIL PRICE found in the U.S. |
PROFIT on each casket Profit up to: |
| CONTAINERS, VAULTS | WHSE. | REASONABLE | LOWEST | Common | Highest | PROFIT |
|
- Cardboard/wood for body in cremation - (Some charge up to $675 for $35 box) |
$ 35 |
$ 52-70 (1.5x) (2x) |
$ 52 |
$ 75-150 (2.5) (5x) |
(9x whse.) $ 315 = (19x) 675= |
$ 280 $ 640 |
| AIR TRAY (to ship casket) - wood/cardboard | $ 50 |
75-100 |
75 |
125-250 (2.5x to 5x) |
300 = (6x) |
= $250 |
| COMBINATION K/D AIR TRAY - (to ship body or casket) |
$ 75 |
113-150 |
113 |
188-375 (2.5x to 5x) |
600 (8x) |
= $525 |
| DOME VAULT (grave liner) - concrete, without base - - - - - - concrete, with a base - - - - - - |
$ 170 225 |
255-340 338-450 |
255 338 |
(2.5x to 4x) 425-680 563-900 |
(5x) 850 1,125 |
Profit = $680 = $900 |
| "NOVA" VAULT (grave liner) - fiberglass |
$ 250 |
375-500 |
375 |
625-1,250 (2.5x to 5x) |
1,500 (6x) |
= $1,250 |
| "MONTICELLO" VAULT - concrete |
$ 300 |
450-600 |
450 |
750-1,350 (2.5 to 4.5x) |
1,800 (6x) |
= $1,500 |
| EMBALMING FLUID - 16 oz. bottle (One bottle for each 50 lbs. of body weight) | $2.50 bottle | |
|
|
|
Profit |
| . | (Morticians have charged $100, enough for a 2,000# body.) | = $90 | ||||
1) Cremation container; 2) Air tray; 3) Combination tray, K/D (knock-down); 4) Nova vault.
. 1) . . .
. 2) . . .
. 3) . . .
. 4)
Mid-1995 prices are not dated. Mid-1997 and 19981) Baby 2 ft. Flat-top particle-wood, pink embossed-cloth cover.
. 1) . . .
. 2)
Mortuaries can obtain caskets for discounts up to 25% off the wholesale costs here. |#################################################################################| |##### CLOTH-COVERED WOOD ####| WHSE.|REASONABLE| LOWEST | Common |Highest|PROFIT| |#################################################################################| | | | | | | | | | C32 FLAT-TOP, CLOTH-COVERED | |(1.5x)(2x)| |(2.5x)4x)| (9x) | | | particle wood, 3 colors NS| $100 | $150-200 | $150 |$250-400 | $900 = $800 | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | PBF C50"FLARED SQUARE"-PC NS| | | | (5x)| (9x) |Profit| | wood/cloth-covered, 6colors| 170 | 255-340 | 255 | 425-850 | 1530 |up to:| | PROFIT-> | $85-170 | $85 |$255-680 | $1360 | $1360| |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | PBF C60 "SQUARE STATE"-PC NS| | | | (5x)| (7x) | | | wood,brocade cloth, 6colors| 210 | 315-420 | 315 | 525-1050| 1470 = $1260| |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | PBF C72 "MAJESTIC STATE" PC | | | | (5x)| (7x) | | | wood/blue tabor cloth NS| 265 | 398-530 | 398 | 663-1325| 1855 = $1590||------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|------|
1) PBF Casket Company C32 Flat-Top. Particle-wood, cloth-covered (three or more exterior colors available)
2) PBF C50 "HP" ("Hinge panel"), "Flared-Square." Particle-wood,
embossed-cloth covers entire casket, various colors.
("Hinge panel" means that the casket has a full-length hinged top lid,
with a small hinged panel which opens at the head end to display the upper part of
the body. The interior upholstery doesn't flow over the edge of the panel opening.
"Flared-square" means the casket has four sides that slope slightly inward.)
3) PBF C60 "PC" ("Perfection cut"), "Square State". Particle-wood, embossed-cloth cover, various colors.
("Perfection cut" means the casket has a hinged lid which, like most
metal caskets, opens the full-width of the casket. It is in two halves lengthwise,
with one half usually being opened to display the upper part of the body. The interior
upholstery flows out over the edge of the casket. "Square state" means the
casket has four vertical sides and a base around the bottom, so that it looks like
most metal caskets.)
. 1) . . .
. 2) . . .
. 3)
Mid-1995 prices are not dated. Mid-1997 and 1998
. Palo Verde "Cameo Rose", 19-gauge steel, almond,
seal.
. Batesville S48 "Vintage Bronze," 20-gauge steel,
seal.
. Batesville G90 "Crystal Blue," 18-gauge steel,
seal.
Mid-1995 prices are not dated. Mid-1997 and 1998
Mortuaries can obtain caskets for discounts up to 25% off the wholesale costs here. |#################################################################################| | METAL CASKETS (contd.) | WHSE.|REASONABLE| LOWEST | Common |Highest|PROFIT| |=================================================================================| | Batesville Y33 "IMPERIAL" | | | | | | | | "JEFFERSON","SILVER ROSE" | (+200/1.8x)| (2x) |(2.5x-3x)| (4x) | | | "PRIMROSE","CRYSTAL BLUE" |$1510 |$1710-2718| $1710 |3775-4530| $6040 = $4530|| 32oz/18g.copper "FINCH" S| | | | | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | Bates- Z61 "ALAMEDA BRONZE" | | (1.8x)| | (3x)| (4x) | | | 48oz/16g.copper S| 1620 |1820-2916 | 1820 |4050-4860| 6480 = $4860| |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | Aurora "STARLITE BRONZE" | | | | (3x)| (4x) | | | 32oz/18-gauge bronze S| 1770 |1970-3186 | 1970 |4425-5310| 7080 = $5310| |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | Bates- Z64"CLASSIC GOLD"brnz| | (1.7x)| | (3x)| (3.8x)| '95 | | 48oz/16g.bronze '95 S| 3590 | 3790-6103| 3790 |8975-10770 13642=$10052| |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | Bates- Z64"CLASSIC GOLD"brnz| | (1.7x)| | (3x)| (3.8x)| '97 | | 48oz/16g.bronze '97 S|>3995.| 4195-6792| 4195 $9988-11985 $15181=$11186| |--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | York "CITADEL" bronze | | (1.5x)| | (3x)| (3.3x)| '98 | | 48oz/16g.bronze '98 S|>6425.| 6625-9638| $6625 $16063-19275 $21203=$14778| | | | | | | |Profit||--------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| Mortuaries can obtain caskets for discounts up to 25% off the wholesale costs here. |#################################################################################| |###### SNAP-IN PANELS #######| (These snap into the lids of most firms' caskets.)| |#################################################################################| | | | | | | | | | York EMBROIDERED PANELS: | $45 | $50 - 90 | $50 | | | | | "Ash Leaf", "In God's Care"| | | | "Mallard Duck", "Pheasant", "John Deere Tractor", "Golf Scene 18th Hole"| | | | | | | SILK-SCREENED PANELS: | 25 | 30- 50 | 30 | | | | | "Church Scene","Farm Scene", etc. | | | | | || | | | | | | | | Batesville PANELS: | 30 | 35- 55 | 35 | | | | | "Masonic", "K of C", "Cross", "Star of David", "Praying Hands", "Going Home", | | "Saddle Scene", "Our Lady of Guadalupe", "Wildlife Scene", "Ocean Scene", | | "End of the Trail", "Mormon Church", "Irish Prayer", etc. | | | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| |#################################################################################| |# #| |# MARKUPS on $500 wholesale casket (common phrases): NOTE: (5x) indicates #| |# ----------------------------------------------------- 5 TIMES WHOLESALE #| |# "WHOLESALE + 10%" =($500 + 10% =$ 550) = $ 50 profit cost -- giving a #| |# "WHOLESALE +$200" =( 500 +$200 = 700) = 200 profit PROFIT of $2000 #| |# "WHOLESALE x 2.5" =( 500 x 2.5 = 1250) = 750 profit on a casket that #| |#"4.5 times WHOLESALE" (500 x 4.5 =2250) = $1750 profit the mortician pays #| |# only $500 for. #| |# #||# Morticians often say that 2.5 times wholesale is the MOST that anyone marks up#| |# caskets. Actually, 2.5x is the LEAST most charge. Most regularly use 3x to 7x.#| |#################################################################################|
NOTES: "NS" indicates a non-sealer casket, without a neoprene gasket
around the lid.
"S" indicates a neoprene seal -- and a HIGHER PRICE, because morticians
claim it is "protective" even though it provides little protection.
Instead, all sealed caskets HARM BODIES because they aid anaerobic bacteria in
bodies to cause rapid bloating, decay and gases.
(See more complete explanation about the problems with sealer caskets in the
previous section, under Point 3 of the consumer advice.)
Casket materials: Caskets are available in METAL (steel, stainless steel,
copper, bronze); WOOD (hardwood, particle board); and FIBERGLASS/PLASTIC.
- Steel caskets in 20-gauge thickness are the most common casket; this thickness is
entirely sufficient for normal burial; and these come in many attractive styles and
colors.
Cooperative mortuaries will change the exterior hardware and decorative panels for little or no extra charge if families ask them.
- However, most mortuaries try to steer families away from the low-priced caskets (by
displaying only ugly colors; by using "scary" stories that 20-gauge caskets aren't thick
enough; by putting scratches on caskets; etc.). Mortuary employees are expected or required to coax families to buy costly, thicker 18-gauge and 16-gauge steel caskets
with the nearly-useless, harmful "protective" seals. All steel caskets will rust and
leak as time goes on.
Batesville G90 "Crystal Blue," 18-gauge steel, seal.
Decorations: The same exterior hardware and decorative panels (flowers, as in the caskets above; Praying Hands; Lord's Supper, etc.) seen inside the lids of high-priced caskets can easily be installed on the lowest-priced caskets (just as many people install in their cars the same type of radios that come in very expensive cars). Fair-priced mortuaries will do this for little or no extra charge.
(One casket manufacturer has said "There are TOO MANY LOW-PRICED CASKETS that LOOK TOO GOOD (made by other companies). We call them 'PROFIT ROBBERS'.")
HIGH PROFITS: Subtract the wholesale costs from the mortuary prices in the last two columns above ("common" and "highest" prices) to see the tremendous casket profits being made by most mortuaries -- in addition to their high profits from funeral services and usually outrageous "professional" fees . Chains and high-volume firms can get discounts of up to 25% off these wholesale prices, making their profits even greater. (Wholesale prices around the country are within a few percent of those listed.)
CHOICES MORE BENEFICIAL TO THE FAMILY and less LOSS of money that could be used for medical expenses, education, family needs, charity -- which the deceased would probably prefer you use the money for.
The casket belongs to your family so you DON'T HAVE TO ASK PERMISSION from the mortician or anyone else to modify it in any way you wish.
Cooperative mortuaries have or will be happy to obtain various types of decorative
hardware for casket corners and sides to substitute for those which come with the
casket, and will install them for little or no extra charge.
. . When phoning mortuaries for prices, you should ask if they have decorative panels
and hardware for families to choose from.
PERSONALIZING THE FUNERAL: Families who look on funerals as celebrating the beginning of a new life with God sometimes decorate the church and casket with colored crepe paper streamers and balloons (which are no more out-of-place than colored flowers and ribbons, and are less expensive), and provide banners, cake and ice cream before and/or after the funeral service or Mass.
Some create projected slide programs and narration about the deceased and the family to be presented during services (especially helpful to people who knew the deceased during only one part of his/her life. Many make display easels or panels of photos and art.
NOTE: Morticians sometimes offer to make such displays for the family -- and then charge high prices for their work, so families should do it themselves (which gives more of the family members and children an active part in the preparations).
"Funeral DIRECTORS": In past years, undertakers and morticians decided to call themselves "funeral DIRECTORS" to boost their status. Unhappily, many of them think that their newly-chosen name gives them authority to CONTROL everything in sight (families, choice of casket, decorations, clergy, religious services, etc.).
Some go so far as to dictate where the casket will be placed in the church, and where the family and pallbearers must sit; some take over "ushering" in church, and pass out mortuary literature to the persons at the funeral; some seat themselves in the front row; and have even told the clergy to "make the service short" because they wish to save money by using the hearse for another funeral afterward, rather than renting an additional one.
So, families need to realize that, along with their clergy, the FAMILIES ARE IN CHARGE OF THE FUNERAL, not the morticians. The morticians' job is to deliver the body to the church door, and then do only what the family and clergy may ask them to do, not vice-versa.)
Morticians are unhappy about efforts to put them in their place, and not allow them to "run" everything their way, especially when it cuts into their exorbitant profits. Listen to this morticians' complaint, quoted from an editorial in a recent issue of "Mortuary Management" magazine:
The consumer is apparently "voting with his feet" and choosing to walk away from the services and products of the traditional funeral home. This silent message of doing without formalities should resonate like a blasting fog horn -- constituting nothing less than an unmistakable wake-up call for funeral professionals that OUR MESSAGE IS NOT ONLY BEING IGNORED, BUT OUR VERY REASON FOR BEING IS ENDANGERED. (emphasis added)
We should acknowledge that those who do not embrace the services we offer and/or the BELIEF SYSTEM (of the funeral industry) that underlies them are not obligated to explain why they avoid us. In fact, they themselves may not even know the answer with any precision.
Still their actions speak louder than their words. Increasingly, the public does not perceive the need for, or appeal of, the current traditional funeral service. (emphasis and parenthesis added above)
A Catholic archbishop in Canada, some years ago, spoke out against the HIGH PRICES and the activities of morticians to DICTATE what funeral ceremonies should look like (that is, a STANDARDIZED "traditional" model for all faiths -- to make things easier for morticians and more profitable). He said:
Following this suggestion, Catholics, the Knights of Columbus, and people of other faiths in the Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island have established a number of mortuaries, using church facilities and operated by the people themselves. They charge one-half to one-third as much as commercial mortuaries and, in some localities, now take care of almost all funerals.
Morticians in the area demanded of the Catholic bishop that he order that the mortuaries be closed and that the priest who started them be thrown out of the diocese. The bishop informed the morticians that he did not intend to evict the priest but, rather, would be encouraging all parishes to start mortuaries.
Information about how to start a co-op mortuary can be obtained from the founder, Rev. Eloi Arsenault, (902) 854-2915. The National Cooperative Business Association and the National Cooperative Bank, both in Washington, DC, will provide local groups in any communities with information on how to start community mortuaries and will lend money at low interest to help out. There are more than 20 cooperative mortuaries in the northern states.