Funeral Home Operator Stands Trial

The decision whether to purchase a prepaid funeral plan must be carefully made because there are both potential advantages and disadvantages.  See Dan Caplinger, Don’t Bury Your Money, The Motley Fool, Jan. 16, 2007.

One of the risks is that the funeral home operator will “go to the dark side” as is alleged to be the case with Clayton Smart who is currently standing trial in Tennessee for canceling more than 13,000 contracts and embezzling over $76 million.  Mr. Smart, however, claims that it was mere mismanagement and errors.  See Daniel Connolly, It’s not just business, it’s personal, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Jan. 22, 2007.