MOR 315 - Lesson 4.1 - Terms

Casket Price List (CPL)

A printed or typewritten list of the casket and alternative containers normally offered for sale by the funeral provider which do not require special ordering. CPL must include retail price and enough descriptive information to enable consumers to identify the merchandise.

Casket

A rigid container which is deigned 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. (FTC definition.)

Funeral ceremony

A service commemorating the deceased with the body present. (FTC definition. See also Funeral Service.)

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

An 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.

Alternative container

An 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.

Outer burial container

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.

Cash advance items

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 honoria; flowers; musicians or singers; nurses; obituary notices; gratuities; and death certificates.

Funeral provider

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

Funeral services

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.

Non-declinable service fee

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.

Graveside service

Ceremony commemorating the deceased at place of final disposition (also see Committal Service FD Glossary)

Casket handling fee

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

Effective date

Date that the specific Price List was put into use.

Tying arrangements

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

Telephone price disclosure

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

Free items

None of the 16 items required by the rule 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 or no charge. Items not required by the rule can be listed as free.

Forwarding of remains

One of the categories required to be itemized 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.

Alternative price lists

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.

Outer Burial Container Price List (OBCPL)

Printed or typewritten list of outer burial containers normally offered for sale by the funeral provider which do not require special ordering.

Exigent circumstances

Situation requiring immediate action or urgency: when exigent circumstances exist the funeral provider might embalm without permission.

Mandatory disclosures

Statements required by the FTC rule which cannot be modified or edited and must appear in a clear and conspicuous manner.

Commission

The Federal Trade Commission.

Services of Funeral Director and Staff

The basic services, not to be included in prices of other categories in Section 453.2(b)(4), 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.

Funeral goods

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

Itemization

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

Triggering event

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

Receiving remains

The services of the funeral provider after initial services have been provided by another firm at the locale of death.

Package funerals

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

Memorial service

A ceremony commemorating the deceased without the body present. (See also SS.)

Immediate burial

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

Direct cremation

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