After learning his father had a terminal illness and only a few months to live, Ed Howard attempted to plan in advance for a funeral service, spending hrs calling around to compare prices. However even though he's a consumer attorney, he still got tripped up. He really did not recognize up until much later that Costco sells moderately priced coffins. He was likewise amazed by the rates of headstone inscription, particularly that it would certainly cost by the letter. "I didn't even recognize to inquire about that," says Howard, senior guidance for the Center for Public Interest Law, in San Diego.