We are not affiliated with any other monument company or funeral home in the area. Operated by Susan Langley.
Why should I buy from a casket store?
Because casket stores have had such a dramatic impact on the funeral industry, funeral homes are doing everything possible to discredit casket stores while attempting to eliminate options for the consumer. However, the funeral industry is regulated. Therefore, funeral homes can not directly eliminate the consumers right to comparison shop.
Some of the most frequently heard allegations made by funeral homes against casket stores are:
" They'll never deliver on time"
" Their caskets are damaged"
" You won't get the casket you selected"
" It's not really a casket" etc.
These allegations are used as propaganda by funeral homes to convince the consumer to purchase their product at inflated prices, just like old times. The countless number of families that have been served in the short time that casket stores have been available, along with the rapid expansion to several locations should attest to the need and consumer acceptance of casket stores.
It has come to our attention that some mortuaries are adjusting their prices to meet the prices of casket stores. However, this only occurs when the consumer has shopped and a mortuary feels they can only save a sale by lowering the purchase price of the casket. Although this accomplishes our goal of providing a reasonably priced product to the consumer, our concern is that long-term effect will result in the consumer paying an inflated price.
Here's Why:
The only reason funeral homes are now willing to match prices is an attempt to force casket stores out of business. If, successful, the charitable attitudes of the funeral homes will no longer be in such over- whelming abundance. Prices will soar uncontrollably as past experience has show. Besides, what does it say about funeral homes if they are only willing to lower prices when faced with losing the bulk of their income, the sale of a casket? And WHY does the mortuary give the "price oriented shopper" a second, lower, price while the average consumer only gets offered the higher price.
It is also the concern of casket stores that if the mortuaries succeed in putting them out of business they will have accomplished two dangerous things:
First, the mortuaries will have eliminated all of their competition.
Second, they will have successfully warned anyone attempting to balance the industry that they will not succeed against the "BIG BOYS", the mortuaries.
We are proud that we have had such a positive impact on the funeral industry. We were formed to give the consumer options: in order to bring much needed balance to a one-sided industry. Keep in mind that choosing to purchase a discounted casket from a mortuary today, will guarantee that the choice you made today, will eliminate the choice of tomorrow.
We as Americans have always been free to make our own decisions. As a unique part of this industry, it is not our intention to discredit the valuable service provided by the mortuary and its staff. We are simply available to provide options to the consumer through healthy competition.
Call us at: Ingram Memorial & Casket Gallery
2360 North Range Street
Dothan, Alabama 36303
334-792-0044
1-800-598-0045
Funeral Costs
I. Basic services fee for the funeral director and staff
The Funeral Rule allows funeral providers to charge a basic services fee that customers cannot decline to pay. The basic services fee includes services that are common to all funerals, regardless of the specific arrangement. These include funeral planning, securing the necessary permits and copies of death certificates, preparing the notices, sheltering the remains, and coordinating the arrangements with the cemetery, crematory or other third parties. The fee does not include charges for optional services or merchandise.
2. Charges for other services and merchandise
These are costs for optional goods and services such as transporting the remains; embalming and other preparation; use of the funeral home for the viewing, ceremony or memorial service; use of equipment and staff for a graveside service; use of a hearse or limousine; a casket, outer burial container or alternate container; and cremation or interment.
3. Cash advances
These are fees charged by the funeral home for goods and services it buys from outside vendors on your behalf, including flowers, obituary notices, pallbearers, officiating clergy, and organists and soloists. Some funeral providers charge you their cost for the items they buy on your behalf. Others add a service fee to their cost. The Funeral Rule requires those who charge an extra fee to disclose that fact in writing, although it doesn't require them to specify the amount of their markup. The Rule also requires funeral providers to tell you if there are refunds, discounts or rebates from the supplier on any cash advance item.
Calculating the Actual Cost
The funeral provider must give you an itemized statement of the total cost of the funeral goods and services you have selected when you are making the arrangements. If the funeral provider doesn't know the cost of the cash advance items at the time, he or she is required to give you a written "good faith estimate." This statement also must disclose any legal, cemetery or crematory requirements that you purchase any specific funeral goods or services.
The Funeral Rule does not require any specific format for this information. Funeral providers may include it in any document they give you at the end of your discussion about funeral arrangements.
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