I hear stories about funeral homes all the time. It really is a shame. Sometimes they seem just like car salesmen trying to up you into a more expensive sedan, than the compact that you had your eye on that was more affordable. I have heard of several first hand accounts of directors almost guilting them into a higher quality casket. As Don said there judgement is clouded or greatly influenced by the tremendous amount of grief a family is already experiencing.

If I choose the burial route, extremely unlikely, I would mandate the old traditional pine box. What difference is it going to make to me anyway. As of now, I want to be creamated (again, what difference will it makes to me.) Hopefully, no one close to me or any of you will have to make those decisions for a long, long, time.