One important part of making your final arrangements is making sure you understand and have made preparations for your funeral costs.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced the "Funeral Rule" in 1984. This rule prevents funeral homes from pressuring people into buying goods and services they didn't need or want. The rule also protects consumers from being overcharged for the items they did want.

The Funeral Rule gives you the right to:

• Buy only goods & services you want

• Be offered pricing information by phone

• Be provided with an itemized statement of all goods & services

• See a list of casket, urn, outer burial/vault prices

• Be provided a written statement prior to making any payments

• Select an alternate container for cremation

• Provide your own casket or urn

• Decline embalming prior to a funeral