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Question
I live in AZ and my Father past away in 1980 and he is burried in a local cemetery. My Mother past away this past Sun, she wants to be crematied and her ashes put in my Fathers plot. The cemetery wants me to pay $1,195 on top of opening and closing of the site, buying the vault and installing the vault for a 2nd right. I am not sure what a 2nd right is and since my mom bought the plot 27 years ago why would i need a 2nd right would we not own that plot and would be able to do something like that. Also why do we have to pay for a vault for ashes. Please help I have no clue if they are trying to scame me or if this is the case thanks
Yes, this sounds like a for-profit cemetery that will make up their own rules any way they want to squeeze more money out of you, ethically or not. Makes my blood boil! What your family owns is a "right of interment," not the actual land. And, of course, it doesn't cost them anything other than a paper record to have a second occupant in the same gravesite.
My typical answer is to ask if you have a shovel and a flashlight? Or will they let you plant a rose bush? If so, just add your own "bone meal."
Alas, cemeteries are NOT well regulated in AZ. The Real Estate Board does squat to control this kind of mischief. There is no need of a vault if you don't want one, but they can get away with saying it's required by cemetery policy just so they can sell you something more. Hope you find a way around these rascals, even if it's only scattering a few pinches of her ashes on top of your father every week or so until the mission is accomplished. Good luck!
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | thank you for your quick response and i will say i think my family and i are going to use a flashlight and shavel i just hope when it is there time to go that the busness don't try and scame thier family because what goes around comes around and maybe i will start lobbying for more regulations in this businees thanks you were a great help | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Lisa Carlson
Expertise
Funeral Law. Having written a 512-page book on funeral law for consumers with state-by-state information, I am very conversant with consumer rights in this regard: What are the laws on disposition of cremated remains? Is embalming required? Do I have to use a funeral home? Can I have a home wake? Is it a state law to buy a vault? I prepaid for a funeral but changed my mind. They won`t give me all my money back. What can I do? . . . If you have an immediate need for information because a death has just occurred or is about to occur, you may call me at 802-482-6021.
Experience
I have monitored the funeral industry on behalf of consumers for over 20 years. I have been a guest speaker to funeral trade organizations, consumer workshops, and social service professionals. I am regularly consulted by lawyers and legislators as well as journalists.
Organizations
Funeral Ethics Organization (www.funeralethics.org)
Funeral Consumers Alliance (www.funerals.org)
Publications
Caring for Your Own Dead (1987)
Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love (1998)
I Died Laughing: Funeral Education with a Light Touch (2001)
Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death (2011) with co-author Joshua Slocum
Education/Credentials
Masters degree in Administration and Special Education
Past/Present Clients
Available as an expert witness for funeral-related court cases.
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