Tool

Paper Check

Hold the paper the funeral home gave you, and tick what you can see on it. The check lists anything the Funeral Rule requires that is not there, with a plain question to ask.

On the Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected, can you see:

You should receive this statement, to keep, at the end of the arrangements conference, before you pay (16 CFR 453.2(b)(5)). The embalming and cash advance sentences are needed only when they apply: tick them if they do not.

Each good and service you selected, with its price16 CFR 453.2(b)(5)(i)(A)
Each cash advance item listed separately (a good faith estimate where the price is not known yet)16 CFR 453.2(b)(5)(i)(B)
The total cost of the goods and services selected16 CFR 453.2(b)(5)(i)(C)
"Charges are only for those items that you selected or that are required."16 CFR 453.4(b)(2)(i)(B)
The embalming sentence: "If you selected a funeral that may require embalming, such as a funeral with viewing, you may have to pay for embalming."16 CFR 453.5(b)
A written reason for anything you must buy because of a law, a cemetery or a crematory16 CFR 453.3(d)(2)
If they charge for getting cash advance items: "We charge you for our services in obtaining: ..."16 CFR 453.3(f)(2)

Paper Check is free for everyone, always.