Under terms of the Funeral Rule Offenders Program, the names of FROP funeral homes are not disclosed. Baker said the FROP program is proving to be an effective way to drive up compliance with the Funeral Rule. He said the FTC has determined that a system including education, sweeps, and FROP or legal action is proving most effective to drive up compliance with the crucial Funeral Rule. Baker said four of the six Iowa funeral homes notified have chosen to participate in the Funeral Rule Offenders Program, and two have not notified the FTC of their decision. The FTC has notified every funeral home in the country about it, and we notified Iowa homes directly that we would be checking for compliance.
Funerals are often costly, typically the third largest consumer expense after a home or vehicle.
And it's especially difficult when people are grieving or under stress and have very little time. People deserve the special protection of the Funeral Rule. Miller said the FTC rule was issued in 1984 as a result of historic abuse in the area of funeral sales. The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give consumers who visit a funeral home a copy of a general price list that consumers can use to comparison shop. The list also must disclose that consumers do not have to purchase a casket if the deceased is to be cremated without a viewing, as well as other important information about legal rights.