Canale Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services

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My mom preplanned her funeral & purchased a life insurance policy specifically for & through the funeral home.Mr. Mark Canale refused to honor this contract for services/goods made with my mom several years before her death. My mom, my last remaining relative, died in 2013. I went to Canale-Tonella funeral home and sat down with Mr. Mark Canale and told him my mom had preplanned & prepaid for her funeral. I was NOT shown the contract she'd made years prior. I WAS told due to "rising costs" the policy purchased was NOT enough to cover my mom's funeral service. I was NOT shown a general price list (GPL) so I'd be able to plan a funeral which would be equal to or less than the policy. Instead I was GIVEN a "package plan" which included items my mom did NOT want like being embalmed and having an open casket viewing. My mom wanted a simple cremation and service and instead of flowers donations made to her favorite charity. This is NOT what she got as her final request & wishes she'd planned for her funeral service.I was left with an outstanding balance from the "package plan" which wasn't covered by the policy. I had no money to pay this and the whole reason my mom took out the policy was to pay for her funeral as she knew I had no money to pay for it. Mr. Canale was told this several times and "graciously" offered cash advances to cover the cost of the obituary, the flowers, and the opening of the grave. Of course all charged as "extras" and not included in the "package plan" he offered.A few months after the funeral I received the first letter demanding payment. And a few months later a phone call demanding payment. By then I'd gone through my mom's personal papers and found the contract she'd made with Canale-Tonella funeral home years ago in the exact amount of the policy for the services/goods she had chosen. It also clearly stated "Reason for embalming: family permission/viewing" which meant it was MY choice and my mom did NOT want it as she wanted to be cremated. I informed Mr. Canale of this and my refusal to pay the outstanding balance. I was told I'd be taken to court.A few months ago, I was served papers stating that I was being sued by Canale-Tonella funeral home for the outstanding balance from my mom's funeral. I had no money for an attorney and it was through the help of my church, another local funeral home, and my own research I was able to prepare for trial and defend myself.Yesterday, at a disposition hearing, the judge dismissed the case. He stated the contract from several years ago was valid with the reasoning being the discount to equal the policy amount and a line at the bottom of the contract stating acceptance to provide all goods and services. Needless to say the judge also questioned and was disturbed by Canale-Tonella funeral home business practices.I'm not going to tell you to not use Canale-Tonella funeral home, that's not my place. I've shared my experience with them in hopes no one else will go through the same heartache and emotional trauma.My advice is this:Be informed! Know the state and federal laws. Ask questions! A funeral home MUST provide you with a general price list (GPL) BEFORE you begin discussing funeral options. You do NOT have to purchase a "package plan" which may provide services you do not want. And lastly, you are the customer, it is YOUR choice and YOUR decision on the type of service your loved one will have....