After discovering his dad had an incurable disease and also only a few months to live, Ed Howard tried to prepare ahead for a funeral service, investing hours calling around to contrast costs. Yet even though he's a consumer legal representative, he still obtained tripped up. He really did not recognize until much later that Costco markets moderately priced caskets. He was likewise stunned by the pricing of headstone inscription, specifically that it would set you back by the letter. "I didn't even recognize to ask about that," says Howard, senior advise for the Facility for Public Interest Legislation, in San Diego.