Pre-arranged funerals can greatly reduce the cost of your emotions when the time finally comes to handle the death of a friend or loved one. Beware and read closely the paperwork first. It's not really a trust, but a special bank account payable at the time of death to whomever you designate. Upon death, that person withdraws the funds for funeral expenses. Embalming is one of the most misunderstood and unnecessary services rendered by the industry, as are expensive caskets.
Many consumers have funeral or burial insurance policies.
You make an auto mechanic give you a written estimate before they start working on your car. Let's face it, the casket goes underground or in a mausoleum, but the marker will be visible forever. Terrific information and insights from this non-profit consumer information group, but if you decide to join any memorial society, you still need to do your own homework and comparison pricing. Don't rely solely on the information provided by these societies. Use you head, not your heart when a loved one passes away.