Final Arrangements

Paper Summary:

This study identifies the differences in the perceptions and experiences of survivors who make final arrangements at the death of a friend or relative and those who oversee the execution of pre-paid and pre-planned final arrangements. Specifically, the study employs a quasi-experimental research design using a sample of 50 survivors identified via newspaper obituaries published 6 to 24 months prior to the study to test two research hypotheses. The first hypothesis states that survivors who oversee pre-paid and pre-planned final arrangements will pay less for funeral services than those who do not use this approach. The second hypothesis states that those who pre-pay or pre-plan will have less negative perceptions of funeral directors'/funeral homes' costs than those who did not pre-pay. A survey instrument is developed by the researcher employing a Likert-type scaled response; data is analyzed via descriptive and inferential (i.e., Pearson's r correlation) statistics.

Abstract
Review of Literature - Background of the Problem
Pre-Paying for Funerals
Theoretical Framework
Synthesis of the Literature
Method and Procedure -Purpose and Design of the Study
Sampling
Data Collection and Instrumentation
Procedures
Protection of Human Subjects
Data Analysis
Appendix 1-6
References

From the Paper:

"The cost of funeral and final expenses has never been greater for the average individual than it is today. The national average cost of final arrangements, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, is $5,543 (Taking the mystery..., 2000). Many people spend significantly more than this amount, often in excess of $8,000 - $10,000. In the past five years, the price of dying has risen about three times faster than the consumer price index (Ernst, 1998). The problem is such that the United States Senate has undertaken an investigation of fraud in the funeral industry under the aegis of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Paying for funeral services places consumers in a vulnerable financial situation, a position made worse by the fact that grieving individuals often do not comparison shop for funeral home services, interment options, or other final arrangement services (Senate investigates fraud..., 2000). Grief-stricken mourners may be susceptible to subtle and not-so-subtle coercion and led to purchase final arrangement options beyond their ability to pay.

Singletary (2000) described her own experience in attempting to make final arrangements on behalf of her deceased brother. Noting that her primary emotion at the time was one of guilt and responsibility, coupled with loss, Singletary (2000) states that she did manage to "comparison shop" among several different funeral homes and cemeterians before making her final choice. Nevertheless, in her experience, the price range for a funeral ranged from $5,000 to $10,000 with caskets alone averaging about $2,000."

More papers on Final Arrangements:

• Research Paper # 27357 : "Funeral Arrangements"
• Essay # 61585 : "Parent Caregiving"
• Essay # 27311 : "Pre-planned Funerals"

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