The Korea Fair Trade Commission said on the 25th that it revised the "standard funeral home contract terms" to allow alcohol, beverages, fruit, and other items to be brought in from outside. The revised terms also ban funeral homes from disposing of condolence wreaths without the bereaved family's consent.
Some funeral homes had restricted food brought in from outside. They also resold wreaths sent by mourners by preventing the bereaved family from disposing of them directly. The previous standard terms had no related provisions.
In response, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) revised the standard terms on the 20th to allow uncooked items such as alcohol, beverages, and fruit to be purchased outside rather than at the funeral home. It also clarified that wreaths sent by mourners belong to the bereaved family. If a funeral home seeks to dispose of wreaths, it must consult with the bereaved family. The terms also impose a duty on funeral homes to explain funeral costs in advance, including facility rental fees, funeral-related service charges, and funeral supply costs.
Because the standard terms are model provisions presented by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC), individual funeral homes are not obligated to follow them. However, they can serve as a standard for mediating disputes between funeral homes and consumers. An official at the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said, "We plan to notify relevant business groups of the details and actively encourage businesses to adopt the revised standard terms."