[ErnBatavia]

You're right that embalming isn't required by law, at least in Kalifornia...we did the full monty, however, with my parents, since they desired the open casket show.

I'm still totally pissed at Forest Lawn - I'd prepaid a certain number of death certificates, and they "stole" one, so they could turn it in and collect the prepaid insurance we'd bought pre-death.....I literally tore them a new a**hole over that stunt.

[esquirette]

Another great point raised. In Florida, a death certificate is cheaper for each successive one purchased at the same time. It used to be something like $20 for the first one and then $4 for each after that. I have seen funeral directors order a bunch of them and add them to the bill at the full price for each one. Another reason to avoid them A little research up front as to what we can do ourselves is very effective in saving money