This Congressional consumer publication, done in conjunction with the Continental Association of Funeral and Memorial Societies, was written to help consumers have the type of funeral they want at a cost they can afford. Guidelines are provided which will educate the funeral consumer before and during funeral planning. Also included in this guide are the major provisions of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Industry Practices Trade Regulation Rule which was enacted to enable consumers to obtain itemized information when making funeral arrangements. Chapters deal with: (1) the importance of preplanning; (2) the FTC Funeral Rule; (3) consumer choices for funerals, direct disposition, memorial services, cremation, do-it-yourself plans; body/organ donations; and relative costs of alternatives; (4) memorial societies; (5) prepayment and possible alternatives to prepayment; (6) cemeteries; (7) death benefits, including Social Security benefits, Veterans Administration benefits, and other death benefits; (8) cautions; and (9) a form to complete for recording one's wishes concerning one's own funeral. The section on cautions contains a list of 12 consumer, licensing, and professional groups that consumers may contact for assistance or information on funeral matters. A bibliography is included. (NB)