Cress Funeral and Cremation Service

The federal Funeral Rule gives you real rights. A funeral home must give you its General Price List when you ask in person, and give accurate prices over the phone without requiring your name. You can choose only the goods and services you want rather than a package, and if you buy a casket elsewhere, the funeral home can't charge you an extra fee for using it.

If you're planning ahead, Wisconsin law requires money paid in advance for a funeral to be held in trust at a bank, savings institution or credit union. Ask for the trust details in writing. Comparing two or three funeral homes' price lists is normal, even in a hard week; a family member or friend can make the calls.