Beware of "Heritage Cremation Providers"

Who are Heritage Cremation Provider?

Heritage Cremation Provider are an online national website offering cremation services between $695 and $1,395.  They are a cremation company which appears online to be located wherever you are, but is actually based in Colorado.  Their website makes no mention of where they are located.  They give the appearance of being a local company when in fact they are just acting as ‘middle men’ and do not actually operate a funeral home, nor are they licensed to.  the company has had several complaints filed from customers claiming that the remains of their loved ones were not picked up within a timely manner, were misinformed with regards to pricing, as well as where they were operating out of. In one instance, a customer waited three days before contacting a local funeral home to come and pick up the body of her husband.

How do Heritage Cremation Provider operate?

Heritage Cremation Provider are NOT funeral directors or a funeral establishment.  They are registered in Colorado which happens to be the only state in the USA that does not require a funeral home to have a license to operate.  They handle the initial call from a family and coordinate cremation services by doing trade services through a local funeral home.  But at no time do they handle the deceased’s body.  They require payment upfront yet several of the funeral homes they work with report that it can take several weeks or more before they receive their trade payment.

Should you trust Heritage?

The company has had so many complaints about its level of service that the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has an alert warning about the company and has ranked it as a grade D.  If you visit the BBB website you can view the complaints lodged against Heritage Cremation Provider.

Better Business Bureau Reviews

Complaints Rise Over Colorado-Based Cremation Firm Operating Illegally In California

Florida Department of Financial Services filed a cease-and-desist order against Heritage Provider LLC.

Minnesota family find trouble with Heritage

RELATED: Wisconsin Funeral Directors Raise New Concerns Over Cremation Company

RELATED: Confusion and Complaints with Cremation Company Prompt State Investigation

There are numerous other states where the Attorney General is pushing through legislation to prevent Heritage operating as they are in their state.  Several states funeral boards have also advised their members not to work with Heritage Cremation Provider.

Also note: Heritage Cremation Provider also trade as Legacy Funeral Services.  Both web sites offer the same kind of online service where the cremations are simply sent to a trade cremation service in the locality for a nominal fee, whilst the family pays a full upfront fee to the online company.

How to Be Sure Your Cremation Provider is Legitimate

If you’re in need of a cremation or funeral service provider, be sure to do due diligence to ensure that the organization you choose is reputable.

• ·         Ask them where they’re located.

o   Check their website for active contact information. Make sure that they list at least one way to get in contact with a real person, not just a 1-800 number, contact form or email address. 

• ·         Consult the Better Business Bureau 

• ·         Look for online reviews of the organization.

 

A trustworthy provider will be willing to answer any questions and provide all the information you need to make the best decision regarding end-of-life services for a loved one.