Buying Caskets
Even if you haven't pre-planned your funeral, remember that you have options when buying caskets. Although this about.com article spends time talking about Costco's sales of caskets, some of the comments are more general:

Now, let me say that buying a casket ahead of time is frugal and wise, even if it's an unpleasant chore. You won't be acting or reacting so emotionally that you can be talked into more than you need or want. Making the decision ahead of time allows you to buy with a cool head....

Funeral homes are the great contenders when it comes to selling caskets and they're not too happy with this development. They fear a loss of business if people start buying caskets from storefront retailers, and probably with good reason.

Since funeral homes cannot stop you from buying elsewhere (they're required by law to accept caskets from any other source), they will go to great lengths to get you to buy from them and no one else.

They, like any other marketer, will play on your emotions to sell their product. You might be made to feel guilty if you don't provide the very best casket they have for your loved one, or you might be made to feel embarrassed in front of your friends.

Yes, they do this, and no, it's not fair....