FINDING FAIRNESS WITH FUNERALS: Pastor Kyev Tatum Advocates for Families’ Rights Amid Rising Costs: https://www.ftc.gov/
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – For over several months, a 73-year-old grandmother in Fort Worth has struggled to raise the funds needed to bury her grandson, a retired U.S. Army veteran who passed away under suspicious circumstances. With the family $1,500 short, the funeral home kept the veteran’s body in a freezer for 60 days.
This heartbreaking situation spurred Pastor Kyev Tatum of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church into action. Pastor Tatum, President of the Ministers Justice Coalition, has pledged to help families navigate the increasingly complicated and costly funeral process. He will address the Texas Funeral Services Commission about the rising costs of funeral services and is collaborating with the Texas Funeral Association to create a task force aimed at addressing these issues. The task force will develop recommendations for both families and the funeral industry to improve transparency and accessibility.
“Our hearts go out to this grandmother and her family,” said Pastor Tatum. “A veteran who served his country since the age of 17 deserves a dignified service. As a community, the least we can do is honor his memory and service to this nation.”
The Broader Issue: Funeral Costs and the FTC Report
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently highlighted troubling practices within the funeral industry in its first-ever undercover investigation into compliance with the Funeral Rule. The rule mandates that funeral homes provide transparent and itemized pricing to customers upon request.
Between February and December 2023, the FTC conducted a phone sweep of 278 funeral providers across the U.S. The findings revealed widespread issues:
• 26% of funeral homes failed to provide pricing information after business hours.
• 7% failed to provide information during regular business hours.
• Many required multiple calls before offering even basic pricing details.
Even when funeral homes did respond, the information was often incomplete or inaccurate. At least 33% of providers gave package pricing without itemized details, and 37% quoted inconsistent prices for the same services during separate calls.
Pastor Tatum’s Mission for Transparency and Justice
Recognizing the need for reform, Pastor Tatum is working to educate families about their legal rights under the FTC’s Funeral Rule. He stresses the importance of requesting a General Price List (GPL)—a document funeral homes are legally obligated to provide that outlines all services and costs.
“Families in grief are vulnerable and deserve clear, honest pricing from funeral providers,” said Pastor Tatum. “The FTC report shows how easily funeral homes can exploit those who are unaware of their rights. We need accountability and transparency to ensure families are treated with respect.”
Through the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, Pastor Tatum is leading efforts to raise awareness of these issues and support families in making informed decisions during their most difficult times. By addressing systemic problems and demanding better practices, he hopes to create a more equitable funeral system that prioritizes dignity and fairness.
For more information about funeral rights, the FTC Funeral Rule, or how to support Pastor Tatum’s efforts, contact him at 817-966-7625 or kptatum1@gmail.com.
Together, we can work toward a future where no family has to endure unnecessary hardship to provide their loved ones with a respectful and dignified farewell.
Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.,
New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church
Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas
2864 Mississippi Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817-966-7625, kptatum1@gmail.com
https://youtu.be/T7PeAaZkkwI
Website: www.newmountrose.com
Surprisingly, Texas has more African-Americans than any other state in the United States of America: https://blackdemographics.com/
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