This section lets a purchaser prepay estimated cash-advance item costs, and requires the seller and funeral provider to handle, apply, and refund those funds as specified.
Sec. 154.1511. CASH ADVANCE ITEMS: NON-GUARANTEED MERCHANDISE AND SERVICES. (a) A purchaser of a prepaid funeral benefits contract may agree to advance funds for all or any portion of the estimated cost of cash advance items included in a prepaid funeral benefits contract, the actual cost of which are to be determined by existing prices at the time the items are delivered or provided in connection with at-need performance of the contracted funeral. (b) Cash advance items included in a prepaid funeral benefits contract must be clearly grouped together and segregated from prepaid funeral benefits in a manner that will permit the average consumer to easily understand that: (1) cash advance items are not fixed or guaranteed in price; and (2) additional money may be required to fully pay for those items at the time of the funeral. (c) A seller shall administer purchaser funds received in advance for cash advance items under a prepaid funeral benefits contract in the manner required by Section 154.159 or 154.203. (d) After the death of the contract beneficiary, the funeral provider shall apply the proportionate part of the trust or insurance policy proceeds received under the contract that is derived from advance payment of cash advance items to the current purchase price for the items. To the extent the proportionate part of contract proceeds: (1) is less than the current purchase price for the cash advance items, the funeral provider may collect additional money for the difference in exchange for delivering or providing the items as part of the contracted funeral; or (2) is greater than the current purchase price for the cash advance items, the funeral provider shall promptly refund the excess amount unless that amount is offset against other amounts due to the funeral provider in connection with the contracted funeral. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1190 (H.B. 3762), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2009.