Oversight of funeral industry lacking

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Friday, Oct. 22, 1999 | 11:53 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- The government lacks adequate oversight of funeral industry practices, according to a congressional report made public Thursday.

The Federal Trade Commission "does not have a systematic or structured process for measuring funeral homes' compliance" with rules for the fair treatment of consumers, concluded the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress.

The FTC disputed the findings and said it was satisfied that compliance with consumer protection rules has improved.

The GAO report, commissioned by Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and John Breaux, D-La., also faulted the FTC for not enforcing penalties against funeral homes and cemeteries found violating consumer service rules.