Experts Warn of Funeral Scams: How to Avoid Them
Essential Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Deceptive Practices
As funerals grow increasingly expensive, with attended services in Australia averaging $8,745 and larger events reaching up to $15,000, it’s become more important than ever for Australian families to protect themselves from being ripped off.
Not only do the exorbitant costs of a funeral warrant extra scrutiny and care, but falling prey to a scam can further compound the financial hardship, adding to the emotional toll on grieving families. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has noted a significant rise in complaints related to funeral services and pricing, highlighting the urgency of this issue.
Experts at Affordable Urns, who specialize in dealing with the loss of loved ones, shed light on common funeral scams and provide proactive measures that can help families protect themselves from exploitation.
Common Funeral Scams and How to Avoid Them
Grief harvesting is the practice of exploiting grieving families. Here are some examples and tips to avoid falling victim to such practices:
Inflated Costs for Services
Some funeral homes charge exorbitant prices for basic services, knowing families may not question the costs due to their emotional state.
“Make sure you ask for an itemized cost estimate for all services and products to ensure transparency,” the Affordable Urns team recommends.
Unnecessary Add-Ons
Funeral homes may persuade families to purchase add-ons or upgrades that are not needed, significantly increasing the overall cost.
Affordable Urns advises ,“Carefully review all contracts before signing, ensuring that all services, costs, and terms are clearly outlined and understood”.
Deceptive Sales Tactics
High-pressure sales tactics can lead families to make quick decisions without fully understanding their options or the associated costs.
Affordable Urns says that when confronted with this situation, “seek advice from trusted family members or financial advisors before making decisions to gain valuable insight and support.”
Prepaid Funeral Plan Fraud
Fraudulent companies may sell prepaid funeral plans but either disappear with the money or fail to deliver the promised services when needed.
“A good way to avoid this is to choose providers with a proven track record, verify their credentials, and ensure they are licensed and regulated.
The experts at Affordable Urns say “Grieving families deserve compassion and support, not exploitation.”
By staying informed and vigilant, families can protect themselves from funeral scams and ensure their loved ones are honored with dignity and respect.
ENDS
Story credit: (https://affordableurns.com.au/)
About Affordable Urns
Affordable Urns is dedicated to providing a diverse selection of cremation urns and memorial products, emphasizing dignity and respect for loved ones. They offer a wide range of high-quality urns crafted from materials such as wood, brass, ceramic, and aluminum, available in various designs from classic to contemporary. Additionally, Affordable Urns features cremation jewelry and scattering tubes, allowing for personalized and meaningful tributes. The company prides itself on exceptional craftsmanship and compassionate customer service to ensure a comforting and supportive experience during difficult times.
Methodology
Data on funeral costs was collected by ABC News.
Increasing complaints on ACCC warns funeral providers on pricing practices following Youpla collapse
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David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
