Mistakes to avoid when choosing a funeral home

When a death occurs, families must quickly choose a funeral home. This decision is often made in haste, under the weight of emotion and without prior knowledge of the funeral sector. A context that can lead to costly mistakes.

Some families end up with bills far exceeding the initial quotes. Others discover too late that the services do not match their expectations. Some experience inappropriate commercial pressure. These difficult situations add to the pain of bereavement and create unnecessary tensions.

Yet, most of these problems can be avoided by knowing the most common mistakes. It is not about systematically distrusting funeral service providers, but about knowing how to ask the right questions and identify warning signs.

This guide lists the seven most common mistakes when choosing a funeral home, their concrete consequences and the means to avoid them. You will also find a practical checklist to secure your arrangements and make informed choices, even during a difficult time.

Mistake no. 1: Not requesting a detailed written quote

The absence of a written quote is one of the most common and costly mistakes. Without a document detailing each service, you have no guarantee regarding the verbally announced prices. In case of disagreement or overcharging, it is impossible to prove what was agreed upon.

A complete funeral home quote must list each service line by line: transport, coffin, embalming, administrative formalities, room hire, flowers. This transparency protects you against unpleasant financial surprises.

The concrete consequences

Without a written quote, families often discover additional charges after the ceremony. Common examples:

Transport fees not mentioned (travel outside the canton, additional vehicle)
Last-minute supplements for options presented as "standard"
Surcharges for services at weekends or public holidays
Services charged without prior agreement (higher quality urn, book of condolences)

These additional costs can reach several thousand francs and add financial stress to the pain of bereavement.

How to avoid it

Before any signature, demand a detailed written quote. Check that all the services discussed appear with their unit price. If an item seems unclear to you ("miscellaneous fees", "ancillary services"), ask for immediate clarification.

Never sign under pressure, even if the provider tells you that "it's urgent". Take the time to compare several offers. A serious professional will understand your need for reflection and will leave you the document for study.

Mistake no. 2: Choosing solely based on the lowest price

The most attractive price is not always the best choice. Behind a very low price sometimes hide minimal services, inferior quality materials or essential services charged as extras.

The costs of funerals in Switzerland vary between 5,000 and 15,000 CHF depending on the services. A significant difference from the market average should alert you. The balance between reasonable cost and quality of service remains the best selection criterion.

The traps of overly attractive offers

An abnormally low offer often hides compromises on quality:

Coffin in low-grade material or reduced dimensions
Absence of personalised support (telephone contact only)
Essential services excluded from the basic package (washing of the deceased, dressing, make-up)
Limited availability (no service at weekends)

On the day of the ceremony, these savings can translate into disappointments that painfully mark the memory of the farewell.

Mistake no. 3: Not checking the reputation and customer reviews

Consulting online reviews and testimonials from other families saves you many unpleasant surprises. Recurring comments about lack of transparency, delays or lack of professionalism are serious warning signs.

A total absence of reviews can also be suspicious for an established company. The Wolky funeral homes directory helps you identify reliable providers and compare their services with complete transparency.

Where to find reliable information

Several sources allow you to assess the reputation of a funeral service provider:

Google Reviews and online review platforms
Recommendations from relatives who have had a similar experience
Professional associations in the funeral sector
Specialised directories such as that of Wolky

Be wary of overly glowing reviews or those written identically: they may be fabricated. Favour detailed and nuanced testimonials that mention concrete elements.

Mistake no. 4: Signing under emotional pressure

The shock of bereavement and the apparent urgency of the arrangements make families vulnerable. Some unscrupulous providers take advantage of this fragility to obtain a quick signature, without allowing time for reflection.

Even if organising the funeral requires a certain speed, you always have the right to take a few hours or a day to compare offers and consult your relatives. A good provider will respect this need without rushing you.

Aggressive sales techniques to spot

Be vigilant in the face of these dubious commercial practices:

Pressure to sign immediately: "You must decide now"
Guilt-inducing speech: "To honour the memory of the deceased with dignity, you must..."
Offers supposedly limited in time without justification
Refusal to let you leave with the quote to think it over
Insistence on selling expensive options presented as "essential"

A respectful professional understands your need for time and never puts you under pressure.

Mistake no. 5: Ignoring the services that are actually necessary

Distinguishing essential services from superfluous options helps you control your budget without compromising the quality of the ceremony. Some families pay for unnecessary services through lack of knowledge, others forget important elements.

Before meeting a provider, define your real needs according to the wishes of the deceased, your beliefs and your budget. Consult our guide on the services offered by funeral homes to better understand the range of services available.

How to identify your real needs

Ask yourself these essential questions before choosing your services:

What type of ceremony corresponds to the wishes of the deceased? (religious, secular, intimate, public)
How many people will attend the farewell?
Did the deceased express any particular wishes?
What budget can you reasonably devote to the funeral?
What deadlines must you respect?

Distinguishing the essential from the superfluous without guilt allows you to organise a dignified funeral within your means.

Mistake no. 6: Not asking questions for fear of being a nuisance

Many families do not dare to question the funeral service provider out of shyness, fear of appearing ignorant or of being a nuisance. This restraint often leads to costly misunderstandings or regrets after the ceremony.

Asking questions is a legitimate right and even a duty to yourself and the deceased. A competent professional welcomes your questions with patience and explains each detail clearly. Here are the essential questions to ask systematically:

What services are included in the basic price?
What are the deadlines for taking charge and organisation?
Can I modify or cancel certain services?

Mistake no. 7: Neglecting administrative and legal aspects

Checking that the funeral home complies with all legal obligations protects you against administrative problems. A serious provider is registered in the commercial register, has appropriate professional insurance and complies with health and environmental standards.

Ask to see these documents before signing. Some unscrupulous providers operate without respecting all the rules, which can expose you to legal or financial complications. Administrative transparency is a guarantee of seriousness and professionalism.

Verification checklist before signing

Before committing to a funeral home, check these essential points:

✓ Detailed written quote with all expense items
✓ Reputation verified via customer reviews and recommendations
✓ Services clearly defined without grey areas
✓ Deadlines specified for each stage
✓ Cancellation or modification conditions explained
✓ Complete contact details and identified contact person
✓ Professional insurance and guarantees presented

This checklist helps you avoid common mistakes and choose the right provider with confidence.

How Wolky can help you with your arrangements

Wolky supports you in your funeral arrangements with practical and accessible tools. Our funeral homes directory allows you to search for and compare reliable providers in Switzerland, with transparent information about their services.

You can also publish an obituary online for 180 CHF, an accessible alternative to traditional press announcements which cost between 800 and 2,000 CHF. Simple, quick and dignified, this solution helps you inform those around you without complications.

Choosing a funeral home requires time and clear-headedness, even during a difficult time. The most common mistakes, accepting a verbal quote, signing under pressure, choosing solely the lowest price or neglecting reputation, can be costly both financially and emotionally.

Take the time to compare several funeral homes, request detailed written quotes, check customer reviews and ask all your questions without fear. You have the right to understand what you are paying for and why.

Wolky supports you in these arrangements by giving you access to a transparent directory of funeral homes in Switzerland. You can also publish an obituary directly online for 180 CHF, accessible 24/7 and easy to share with your loved ones. A simple, dignified and transparent solution to honour the memory of your loved one.

Mistakes to avoid when choosing a funeral home

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