Federal Trade Commission

Question 1

alternative container

Answer 1

unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed-wood, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials

Question 2

alternative price lists

Answer 2

price lists which may be prepared for use in certain limited situations such as children/infants, for government agencies to provide for indigent persons, for agreements with religious groups, burial or memorial societies for members of their group

Question 3

cash advance items

Answer 3

any item of service or merchandise described to a purchaser as a “cash advance,” “accommodation,” “cash disbursement,” or similar term. A cash advance item is also any item obtained from a third party and paid for by the funeral provider on the purchaser’s behalf. Cash advance items may include, but are not limited to: cemetery or crematory services; pallbearers; public transportation; clergy honoraria; flowers; musicians or singers; nurses; obituary notices; gratuities and death certificates

Question 4

casket

Answer 4

rigid container which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic, or like material, and ornamented and lined with fabric

Question 5

casket handling fees

Answer 5

charge, fee or surcharge applied to consumers who purchase their casket elsewhere from a source other than the price list/funeral provider

Question 6

casket price list (CPL)

Answer 6

printed or typewritten list of the casket and alternative containers normally offered for sale by the funeral provider which does require special ordering. CPL must include retail price and enough descriptive information to enable consumers to identify the merchandise

Question 7

commission

Answer 7

refers to the Federal Trade Commission

Question 8

Cremation

Answer 8

heating process which incinerates human remains

Question 9

crematory

Answer 9

any person, partnership or corporation that performs cremation and sells funeral goods.

Question 10

direct cremation

Answer 10

disposition of human remains by cremation without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present

Question 11

exigent circumstances

Answer 11

situation requiring immediate action or urgency; FTC recognizes that funeral provider might embalm without permission

Question 12

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Answer 12

agency of federal government created in 1914 to promote free and fair competition by prevention of trade restraints, price fixing, false advertising and other unfair methods of competition

Question 13

forwarding of remains

Answer 13

one of the 16 items specified required on the GPL (if the funeral provider offers the service). This involves services of the funeral provider in the locale where death occurs and preparation for transfer to another funeral provider as selected by the family (consumer). Funeral Rule requires package pricing of this service with a description of the components included

Question 14

free items

Answer 14

none of the 16 specified items required to be separately itemized on the GPL can be listed as free or no charge. Items not required by the rule can be listed as free.

Question 15

funeral ceremony

Answer 15

service commemorating the deceased with the body present

Question 16

funeral goods

Answer 16

goods which are sold or offered for sale directly to the public for use in connection with funeral services

Question 17

funeral provider

Answer 17

any person, partnership or corporation that sells or offers to sell funeral goods and funeral services to the public

Question 18

funeral services

Answer 18

any services which may be used to: (1) care for and prepare deceased human bodies for burial, cremation or other final disposition; and (2) arrange, supervise or conduct the funeral ceremony or the final disposition of deceased human bodies

Question 19

general price list (GPL)

Answer 19

printed or typewritten list of goods and services offered for sale by a funeral provider with retail prices. GPL is considered the keystone of the Funeral Rule.

Question 20

graveside service

Answer 20

ceremony commemorating the deceased at place of final disposition

Question 21

immediate burial

Answer 21

disposition of human remains by burial, without formal viewing, visitation, or ceremony with the body present, except for a graveside service

Question 22

itemization

Answer 22

method of price quotation by which each unit of service and/or merchandise is priced separately

Question 23

mandatory disclosures

Answer 23

statements required by the Rule which cannot be modified or edited and must appear in a clear and conspicuous manner

Question 24

memorial service

Answer 24

ceremony commemorating the deceased without the body present

Question 25

non-declinable service fee

Answer 25

basic services is the only fee which the consumer cannot decline (unless state or local law requires otherwise). Funeral provider should recover expenses for services, facilities or unallocated overhead in this charge

Question 26

outer burial container

Answer 26

any container which is designed for placement in the grave around the casket including, but not limited to, container commonly known as burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners

Question 27

outer burial container price list (OBC PL)

Answer 27

printed or typewritten list of outer burial containers normally offered for sale by the funeral provider which does not require special ordering. OBC PL must include retail price and enough descriptive information to enable consumers to identify the merchandise

Question 28

package pricing

Answer 28

use of a single dollar amount to identify the charge for a group or bundle of goods and/or services

Question 29

person

Answer 29

any individual, partnership, corporation, association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or other entity

Question 30

receiving remains

Answer 30

one of the 16 specified items required on the GPL (if the funeral provider offers the service). This involves services of the funeral provider after initial services have been provided by another firm at the locale of death. Funeral Rule requires package pricing of this service with a description of the components included

Question 31

Services of Funeral Director and Staff

Answer 31

basic services, not to be included in prices of other categories in Section, that are furnished by a funeral provider in arranging any funeral, such as conducting the arrangements conference, planning the funeral, obtaining necessary permits and placing obituary notices

Question 32

Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected

Answer 32

itemized written statement provided for retention to each person who arranges a funeral or other disposition. It must include the goods and services selected and prices paid for each, itemization of cash advance items and the total cost.

Question 33

telephone price disclosure

Answer 33

funeral provider must give consumers who call accurate information from the price lists and answer questions about offerings and prices with readily available information

Question 34

third party merchandise

Answer 34

funeral goods consumer purchase from a source other than the price list/funeral provider.

Question 35

transfer of remains

Answer 35

(also referred to as removal) one of the 16 specified items required on the GPL; defined as the moving of the dead human body from the place of death to the funeral home or other designated place.

Question 36

triggering event

Answer 36

occurrence of situation that requires certain action (i.e) the triggering event for giving out the GPL is face-to-face meeting

Question 37

tying arrangements

Answer 37

exist when a seller requires the purchase of unwanted items/services in order to obtain the desired item/service

Question 38

viewing

Answer 38

(calling hours, visitation, visiting hours, wake) time set aside for friends and relatives to pay respect for the deceased prior to the funeral service