Funeral home planning for caskets and services at Bluebonnet and other Ft. Worth funeral homes.
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I never cease to be amazed at the depths some funeral homes sink to to sell their services. Last week, after a couple of families came into my store and told me some stories about what they were being told about what we sell I decided to find out for myself. My wife and one of her friends along with her 5 yo daughter went to Bluebonnet and asked for a price list. First, they wanted to know WHY she wanted a price list. By law you don’t have to have a reason, but she told them she was trying to plan a funeral for her husband.
As if some sort of signal was sent, an elderly grandmother type came out from the back and started hugging and saying “You poor thing, so sad’ complete with a lot tears and crying. After learning there was no death yet, the tears instantly dried up, her demeaner changed and they were told a pre-need person would be with them shortly.
No one handed them a price list. After being kept waiting about 30 min. someone brought in a contract and wanted them to sign it. No prices yet, just sign here. Again they asked for a price list and were just handed a pre-need planning kit. No prices. So they left. This was several months ago. Several times a week since, almost every day someone calls to see if he has passed away yet. Each time she tells them she needs a price list and they tell her that when she comes in to sign a contract they will discuss prices then.
But meanwhile she was told don’t call any other funeral home and don’t go to a casket store. ( I wonder what they are trying to hide). FTC Funeral Rules state that you must be presented a price list as soon as you ask and must be told prices over the phone if you call. No exceptions. Phone calls to other funeral homes in the Bluebonnet chain resulted in the same results. No one would give prices.
How can anyone trust funeral homes with a loved one services if they treat you like you are buying a car at a car lot. Is your loved one a used car? Yesterday, I listened to a radio commercial for Bluebonnet. I couldn’t help but laugh, but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel sorry for anyone that felt moved to respond to it.
Before you go to any funeral home, read the FTC Funeral Rules at their website. Ask lots of questions, if you don’t get straight, honest answers, go somewhere else until you do. If you wish to file a compliant go here.
Many families come to us for headstones after the services an tell all kinds of stories about how they were treated. They were given a really strong sales pitch (much like a car dealer) and after signing a $10-$15 k contract they felt really empty and drained. They felt like they were hussled through a minimum service. If they dare to complain they are told they should have picked a custom service at a much higher price.
Bottom line is family felt “Handled” and used. This was not the memory they wanted for their loved one, but this was all they could remember about the funeral. Sad………..