How should a funeral home handle cash advances for services in Ohio?

In Ohio, funeral homes are required to disclose cash advance charges on the final statement provided to the family. Cash advances are costs that the funeral home pays on behalf of the family for services or goods provided by third parties, such as cemetery costs, flowers, or obituary notices. By including these charges clearly on the final statement, the funeral home ensures transparency in the overall pricing.

This requirement aligns with the principles of consumer protection, as it allows families to understand the full scope of expenses incurred in relation to the services offered. Transparency in billing helps build trust between the funeral provider and the family, ensuring that families are fully informed of all financial obligations associated with the services.

As for the other options, omitting cash advances from the final statement would lead to a lack of transparency and potentially create confusion for the family regarding total costs. Stating that cash advances are optional to disclose undermines the regulatory requirement for full transparency in billing practices. Lastly, only disclosing cash advances if requested by the family is not compliant with the regulations, as the funeral home has an obligation to provide complete and accurate billing information proactively.