Good planning for funerals can save plenty of money You can save money when you must plan a funeral. Dear Jerry: My father who lived in a neighboring state died last month. Although my father wished to be cremated, the funeral director told us that state law required he be embalmed and placed in a casket although we did not hold a viewing or funeral. The bill for cremation was about what we paid for my wifes mothers traditional funeral two years ago. Did we get ripped off? KS, Centerville, Utah Money Matters by Jerry Mason Dear KS: You did not say what the total bill came to, but it should have been in the $500 to $1000 range. If you paid significantly more, you got stiffed. Death does not need to be, but can be expensive. In August 1974, the day after my mother died, ray father and 1 visited the cemetery to buy a lot. The funeral director said to my father, Mr. Mason I can tell that you are a thrifty man. We are running a special this week. We are selling four plots for the price of three. My father, one to never pass up a bargain,-- paid $1201.98 cents for four plots. (When he died two summers ago the price of a single plot was considerably more than what he paid for four.) Anyone need two vacant plots in Skyline Memorial Gardens outside of Portland, Oregon? We next entered the room to select a casket. Yes, the first two were pine boxes painted in garish colors. I remember thinking that I would not be caught dead in one of those. We ended up selecting a casket that had mahogany handles w ith an interior that matched my mothers Is a cash advance required? Funeral providers must disclose to you in writing what cash advances will be used for, such as flowers, coloring. Even though the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) developed trade regulations concerning funeral industry practices in April 30, 1984, few people seem to be familiar with their rights under what is known as the Funeral Rule." In general, the rule makes it easier for you to select those goods and services you want or need. When planning your next funeral, phone first. Call funeral providers and ask about prices for the goods and services you wash. By law funeral directors must give you prices for individual items or an entire package over the phone. Using the telephone enables you to select a funeral home and make the arrangements you want by comparing prices among funeral obituary notices, pallbearers and clergy honoraria. Some funeral providers. When you inquire in person, the funeral provider must give you a general price list The list, which you can keep, contains the cost of each individual funeral item and service offered. The price list also describes your legal rights and requirements regarding funeral arrangements. The list discusses embalming, when cash is required in advance to pay for newspaper notices or flowers, and other required purchases. Embalming Information: Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. You have the right to choose direct cremation or immediate burial if you do not want embalming. If you plan to hold a viewing, embalming may be required. In your situation, the funeral provider was required to disclose to you in writing that you could buy an unfinished wood box or alternative container made of pressboard, cardboard or canvas. providers charge you their cost: others add a service fee to their cost. You must be notified in writing when a service fee is added to a cash advance item or when the funeral provider receives a refund, discount or rebate from any supplier of any cash advance item. The funeral provider will give you an itemized statement of the total cost of the funeral before the funeral so you add or subtract items. This Achievement Award to Carter A. George, CLU. Each year the Association gives this award to an outstanding agent who has exhibited uncommon service to the insurance industry and the community. George is chairman of the Board of Oxford Financial Group. He has served as president of the Utah Association of Life Underwriters, and of the Salt Lake Estate Planning Council. He has been a member of the Primary Childrens Medical Center Planned Giving Committee and president of the American Red Cross Planned Giving Committee for Utah. For more than ;wenty years George has specialized in estate and business insurance lanning. He is a chartered financial consultant and is one of two honorary accredited estate planners by the National Association of Estate Planners. INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OE HAIR DESIGN summer Full-Tim- Classes Begin June e legal, cemetery or crematory requirements that force you to purchase any specific funeral goods and services. Planning a funeral ahead of the time allows you to make informed and thoughtful decisions about funeral arrangements. If you decide to make advance plans for yourself or a loved one, you have several options. You may wish to visit with local funeral providers and religious leaders. The Continental Association of Funeral and Memorial Societies 1 encourages advance planning and cost efficiency by disseminating information about alternatives for funeral and al dispositions. If you have questions or a complaint about a funeral provider, you may contact the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, 15 Northeast 3rd Street, P.O. Box 497, Washington, Indiana 47501 (812) 254-788- 7. Write to Jerry Mason at P.O. Box 6556, Lubbock, Texas 79493, with your questions for MONEY to 2000" 1000 Scholarships Available Federal Financial Aid Available to Those Who Qualify ENROLL NOW! FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 273 W. 500 S. 295-238- ' QUEEN AT NATIONALS: Paige Haslam, daughter of Torr and Willi Haslam of North Salt Lake won overall queen at Dance Spectacular Nationals. She is a student at Dance Impressions and is famed in tap, jazz and ballet. She is also a member of Dance Express fcr Dance Impressions. Paige is a 6th grader at Orchard Elementary and serves as the student body president. Job training offered 9 BOUNTIFUL and applied Jobs are out there, technology education will provide World of Work training for students, Dean E. Christensen, Davis County Schools vocational director, told Bountiful Kiwanis members at their regular Tuesday lunch. can preStudents, grades pare for numerous careers through programs w'hich bring together the 2, school system and industry, Christensen noted. The program results in improved grades, as well as offering training which will result in successful job r I Tuesday through Friday Mens and Boys AH Vi I WORK DONE AND SUPERVISED HAIRCUTS BY STUDENTS BY CERTIFIED IN TRAINING INSTRUCTORS Tympanette Micro Canal is he added. Comprehensive career guidance is coupled with individualized student education plans. The Davis School District Vocational Education Study Blue Print includes: occupational awareness, exploratory' specialization, and vocational options. Students benefit from CARTER A. GEORGE Dance into Summer! X writh The University' of Utah's Virginia Tanner Creative Dance Program hands Our office is happy to announce that we are currently fitting a hearing complete instrument. This remarkable new hearing instrument is not only more discreet and comfortable to wear, but may also provide important hearing benefits because of its canal. deep placement in the ear The Tympanette is the smallest manufachearing instrument ever tured by Starkey Laboratories, the worlds leading manufacturer of custom hearing instruments. Its extremely small size will be very hearpopular, so call now' for your consultation. and ing assessment Call today to schedule your appointment. Summer Session June 6 - July 16, 1994 Mm Sane Jfafo Special V on experience in building homes. Currently eight building contractors work with students and faculty and counselors in this program of the future, he concluded, after he outlined several success stories. placement above minimum wage, 21. 1994 Including High school Graduates and High school Students! ! statement will also disclose any George receives award The Utah Association of Life Underwriters presented the Life : Douglas Green . WiiOJiMiL: $200 J PIVOTl IPOlhTI Bountiful classes are held at Stoker School - 75 E. 200 S. r t (Hi For more information call: 581-737- 4 ' J tTLv A ij t