| 6/25/99
To whom it may concern, I am sending this email to you per the request of many people. I understand that the Funeral Rule is under review and wanted to put in my concerns. I own a casket retail location with my family in Louisville, Kentucky and have been open for 2 years this day. We have been able to assist many families in exercising their rights under the Funeral Rule and have a whole book of return surveys as to our effectiveness in educating our customers, and product quality. (let me know if you would like to see copies.) We publish a quarterly newsletter that reaches only 4000 people to try and pass on our knowledge....send an FTC survey to these people and see what their reactions are!! My family opened this business after finding out we had other choices for our father and grandfathers funerals (both in 1997). We supplied their caskets from retailers and had no problems with the funeral homes. Our store was the first in the state and we have made quite an impact......without the support of the FTC such an option would not exist! I have run into some issues though...people are uneducated about the law and how it benefits them, causing some fear when it comes to reporting misconduct by directors (not to mention...blatent breaking of the law!). There have been many occassions where families do not pursue or follow up with complaints....making it difficult for lawmakers to realize what is really going on in the trenches! Many things do not get reported by concerned parties! Please fight to continue the support for the current regulations, as they are STARTING to benefit many people nationwide......changing anything at this time would be an injustice as much of the public does not even know it exists!!! Look at future changes after the information has been swallowed and digested by the public....and get their opinions!!! Many people are beginning to approach us (a Casket Royale distributor) and are interested in helping their own communities (far outreaching Louisville Kentucky)....give the public a chance to learn about the law and benefit from it!! Please let me know that you received this....it may be one letter in a pile of many, but every little bit helps. Sincerely, Patricia Martin, M.S.W. |