Monks Fight to Sell Caskets in Louisiana

Wall Street Journal ^ | 05/30/12

[AtlasStalled]

A group of monks making some extra cash by building caskets doesn’t sound like a bad idea. * * * The problem is that the state of Louisiana prohibits anyone but licensed funeral directors from selling “funeral merchandise” and issued a cease-and-desist order to the monks with the possibility of thousands in fines and even a potential criminal prosecution.

[CondorFlight]

Funeral directors have clout (they donate to politicians).

Monks don’t.

[9422WMR]

“Funeral directors suck(they donate to politicians and rip off grieving families).
Monks don’t.”
There, I fixed it for you!
Expensive caskets are the most ridiculous thing on the planet. (next to naming a star for your kid)

[crosshairs]

That’ll be the death of THAT business.

[redgolum]

There are a lot of health codes written in that mandate a nice expensive casket.

When my father in law died, I had a very interesting talk with the undertaker about it. She agreed, the price of caskets is a scam. But with life insurance, it is often a “hidden” cost.

[Theoria]

The Institute for Justice[Great .org] has been helping out the monks in their quest for economic liberty.

[Never on my watch]

Now religious Monks can’t sell wooden boxes without the blessing of the state? Enough already!

[The Great RJ]

When my father-in-law passed away I was asked to help in the selection of a casket. The funeral director was not the most honest and had the first casket you saw being the cheapest most shoddy built wooden box you could imagine and with a price tag of $1200. The next in line was a nearly $10,000 bronze casket. Fortunately the family selected a more reasonably priced item, but the experience left me cold. If you are planning to be buried what better way than in a hand crafted casket made by monks at a price far less than a funeral director's mark up.

However, I have decided to give my body to the local medical school to save the needless expense of a casket and embalming as well as have my old carcase serve a better purpose than to be pickled and potted.

[Lurker]

However, I have decided to give my body to the local medical school

A friend of my mother did that. When the med school was done with the body they called her family to come pick it up. Seriously, do your research to find out what happens when they're done with you.

[Lurker]

However, I have decided to give my body to the local medical school

A friend of my mother did that. When the med school was done with the body they called her family to come pick it up. Seriously, do your research to find out what happens when they're done with you.

[ZX12R]

A friend of my mother did that. When the med school was done with the body they called her family to come pick it up. Seriously, do your research to find out what happens when they're done with you.

I looked into this myself, when I was getting close to going in for heart surgery. I was surprised to learn the same thing. Your family may not receive any bills related to it, but it's also possible that they might, if the donation recipient can find no need or use for some of you. No guarantees.

[bgill]

Call it “living merchandise” since it’s the family who feel the need for caskets rather than the deceased.

[Joe 6-pack]

Louisiana heavily regulates the licensing of various professions...you need a florist's license here, for crying out loud...

...but it is all about the revenue. When they instituted the Redflex (an private Arizona company) redlight cameras and "speed vans" here, a lot of private investigators in the sate raised objections because, by the state's own definition, Redflex was engaging in private investigations without a license. IIRC, Redflex received some kind of waiver so they could continue to assess traffic violation fees until they were able to meet the PI licensing requirements.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Monks didn’t pay off the right people. Sounds like a few politicians need some excommunication down thar. Money is powerful and speak loudly in that part of America—but God can speak louder as well.

[rhoda_penmark]

“”However, I have decided to give my body to the local medical school”
“A friend of my mother did that. When the med school was done with the body they called her family to come pick it up. Seriously, do your research to find out what happens when they’re done with you.””

Tennessee residents can donate their remains to “The Body Farm” where scientific forensic reasearch on decomposition is done. It’s an excellent cause. They request your medical/dental info in advance (for forensic purposes) and if you live close enough they will pick up and transport your remains.
Google “The Body Farm” for more info.

[Neidermeyer]

The monks are alright ... There is a federal law that mandates that consumers cannot be forced to buy caskets and other items from a funeral home , they can buy from any vendor and the funeral home must accept and use the casket.. this is to stop the abusive pricing games played ... WalMart sells caskets http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=casket&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

[Jack Hammer]

Louisiana opens up yet another front on the current War on Religion.

[Neidermeyer]

The monks need a lawyer ,, see reply #16 regarding Federal regulations ... http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/rulemaking/funeral/

[fieldmarshaldj]

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

[SuziQ]

Funeral directors have clout (they donate to politicians). Monks don’t.

I think those at St. Joseph's Abbey DO.

I'm glad the District Court found for the Monks!