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Getting Funeral Prices by Phone or Online Under the Funeral Rule

This guide presents selected U.S. government consumer education from Federal Trade Commission. References to “we” or “us” in the source material refer to the issuing agency. Source dates and links appear below.

The FTC Funeral Rule

The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), makes it possible for you to choose only those goods and services you want or need and to pay only for those you select, whether you are making arrangements when a death occurs or in advance. The Rule allows you to compare prices among funeral homes, and makes it possible for you to select the funeral arrangements you want at the home you use. (The Rule does not apply to third-party sellers, such as casket and monument dealers, or to cemeteries that lack an on-site funeral home.)

Your Rights Under the Funeral Rule

The Funeral Rule gives you the right to:

  • Buy only the funeral arrangements you want. You have the right to buy separate goods (such as caskets) and services (such as embalming or a memorial service). You do not have to accept a package that may include items you do not want.
  • Get price information on the telephone. Funeral directors must give you price information on the telephone if you ask for it. You don’t have to give them your name, address, or telephone number first. Although they are not required to do so, many funeral homes mail their price lists, and some post them online.
  • Get a written, itemized price list when you visit a funeral home. The funeral home must give you a General Price List (GPL) that is yours to keep. It lists all the items and services the home offers, and the cost of each one.
  • See a written casket price list before you see the actual caskets. Sometimes, detailed casket price information is included on the funeral home’s GPL. More often, though, it’s provided on a separate casket price list. Get the price information before you see the caskets, so that you can ask about lower-priced products that may not be on display.
  • See a written outer burial container price list. Outer burial containers are not required by state law anywhere in the U.S., but many cemeteries require them to prevent the grave from caving in. If the funeral home sells containers, but doesn’t list their prices on the GPL, you have the right to look at a separate container price list before you see the containers. If you don’t see the lower-priced containers listed, ask about them.
  • Receive a written statement after you decide what you want, and before you pay. It should show exactly what you are buying and the cost of each item. The funeral home must give you a statement listing every good and service you have selected, the price of each, and the total cost immediately after you make the arrangements.
  • Get an explanation in the written statement from the funeral home that describes any legal cemetery or crematory requirement that requires you to buy any funeral goods or services.
  • Use an “alternative container” instead of a casket for cremation. No state or local law requires the use of a casket for cremation. A funeral home that offers cremations must tell you that alternative containers are available, and must make them available. They might be made of unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard, or cardboard.
  • Provide the funeral home with a casket or urn you buy elsewhere. The funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought online, at a local casket store, or somewhere else — or charge you a fee to do it. The funeral home cannot require you to be there when the casket or urn is delivered to them.
  • Make funeral arrangements without embalming. No state law requires routine embalming for every death. Some states require embalming or refrigeration if the body is not buried or cremated within a certain time; some states don’t require it at all. In most cases, refrigeration is an acceptable alternative. In addition, you may choose services like direct cremation and immediate burial, which don’t require any form of preservation. Many funeral homes have a policy requiring embalming if the body is to be publicly viewed, but this is not required by law in most states. Ask if the funeral home offers private family viewing without embalming. If some form of preservation is a practical necessity, ask the funeral home if refrigeration is available.

Shopping for Funeral Services by Phone or Online

Shopping for Funeral Services by phone or online (127.21 KB)

When a loved one dies, family members and friends often need to make decisions about a funeral quickly and under emotional stress. If your loved one dies in another state, or you can’t meet in person for any reason, you may need to plan a funeral by phone or online. Here are some steps to help you make arrangements at a distance.

Learn About Funeral Homes in the Area

  • Find local funeral homes that offer the type of service you want, whether that’s a simple cremation, a traditional funeral, or something else.
  • Search for information online. Many funeral homes have websites with information about their services and pictures of their facilities. Some include price information and let you make arrangements online.
  • See what people say about their experiences with a funeral home. Search online for a business’ name, plus words like “complaint” or “review.”
  • Make a list of several funeral homes to contact. You may find similar services and items for a lower price if you comparison shop.

Call Funeral Homes and Ask for Information

  • Funeral homes must answer questions over the phone about what they offer and their prices.
    • When you ask a funeral home about a service — for example, direct cremation — ask what’s included in the price.
    • Ask if there will be other costs, like for transportation, death certificates, or obituaries.
    • They should let you take your time. It’s ok to ask them to slow down, explain, or repeat something.
  • Ask a funeral home to send you an email or text with information about prices, services, and merchandise. Funeral homes aren’t required to send the information, but many will be happy to.
  • If you don’t want to go in person, tell a funeral home you want to make plans without visiting. If a funeral home won’t send you information about prices, services, and merchandise, find a different business.
  • You can buy a casket, cremation container, or urn online — or somewhere else — to use at a funeral home. The funeral home can’t charge a fee for using your item.
  • You might have to pay fees because of state or local laws. A funeral home must list items required by law and their cost on the written statement it gives you.
  • Some funeral homes offer discounted package funerals, but you don’t have to buy a package that includes items you don’t want. Ask about itemized prices. The funeral home must let you buy only the services you want and need.

Before You Accept the Arrangements, Ask for a Written Statement

A funeral home must give you an itemized list of the services and merchandise you choose and the price for each item. Ask the funeral home to send the statement by email or text. Check it and make sure the funeral home agrees to any changes or corrections before you agree to use the funeral home’s services.

Get More Information

Learn more about funeral costs and shopping for funeral services at ftc.gov/funerals.

Report Problems

If a funeral home won’t answer your questions or give you the information you requested, look somewhere else. And please tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact your state attorney general. Most states have a licensing board that regulates the funeral industry. Contact your state board or local Better Business Bureau for information or help resolving a problem with a funeral home.

Sources and publication details

The federal agency source text is U.S. government work in the public domain. Fynoptic selected, adapted, and formatted it for this guide. No agency endorsement is implied. Follow the linked sources for current program details and the rules applicable to your circumstances.

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