Walmart selling caskets online has created an internet stir

The AP and News organizations around the country carried comments from yours truly and the New National Funeral Directors Association President Pat Lynch about Walmart selling caskets online.- It should come as no surprise then that I am a little upset with new NFDA President.

Snippet from the Associated Press:

Wal-Mart’s prices for caskets don’t differ greatly from those offered at funeral homes, most of which range from $500 to $5,000, Lynch said. He declined to give an average price, saying a casket selection is a personal one.

He said Wal-Mart can’t offer one thing funeral directors do have: the ability to comfort someone during a trying time.

“There’s no question in my mind as a funeral director for nearly 40 years that the most critical element is the human contact,” he said

via abcnews.go.com

Pat Lynch seems to miss the point of what is going on with Wall-Mart selling Caskets online. Generally(most often) caskets under 1,000 dollars at the funeral home are made of crepe papercloth and cardboard. The caskets at Walmart are shipped the next day(arrival in 48 hrs) by FedEx to a funeral home the same as any other expensive casket from Batesville, the major casket supplier in the US.

Walmart makes sure there is a funeral director at the other end of the line to comfort and properly handle the casket. Sorry Mr. Lynch, it is not impersonal, Walmart ensures a human touch by working with the funeral director.

Mr, Lynch shame on you-

Not Even PRES One day and spinning funeral info already.

Funeral industry| Funeral Blog by R.Brian Burkhardt, Your Funeral Guy, Funeral Director, Illinois and Virginia

Your Funeral Guy R.Brian Burkhardt is a funeral director in Illinois and Virginia. He author of the acclaimed funeral consumer guide on funeral cost Rest in Peace  R. Brian Burkhardt is a Funeral Director in Illinois and Virginia. He is the author of Rest in peace insiders Tiops to the Low Cost less Stress Funeral.

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