A group of Texans recently sued sellers of funeral (or burial) insurance, alleging deceptive marketing; regulators in Florida are trying to ban sales entirely. Advance planning is fine, but keep in mind that some policies deliver full benefits only if you live to a ripe old age. Others don't cap premiums, so if you do make it to 95, you could spend $30,000 for a $5,000 funeral. Make sure any policy is portable, and try to pay for it in one lump sum.
(original story written by Daniel Eisenberg for Time magazine,
May 10, 1999).