Independent Facts from the FTC Funeral Rule Sells no funerals, plots, insurance or loans; no referral fees
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Type the prices from each funeral home's General Price List, tick only the items you want, and add them up. Nothing here contacts a funeral home.
These prices are made up for this example. Start a blank estimate above, or change the prices below.
| Item | List A | List B |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral home | ||
| Basic services of funeral director and staff | $2,195.00 | $2,650.00 |
| Transfer of remains to the funeral home | $395.00 | $450.00 |
| Embalming | $795.00 | $850.00 |
| Other preparation of the body | $275.00 | $300.00 |
| Facilities and staff for viewing | $450.00 | $500.00 |
| Facilities and staff for funeral ceremony | $550.00 | $600.00 |
| Hearse | $375.00 | $400.00 |
| Casket | $2,495.00 | $2,495.00 |
| Outer burial container (vault or grave liner) | $1,395.00 | $1,195.00 |
| Funeral home subtotal | $8,925.00 | $9,440.00 |
| Cash advance items | ||
| Death certificate copies (price for one copy) × 5 | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| Obituary notice | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| Cash advance items subtotal | $425.00 | $425.00 |
| Cemetery | ||
| Grave, crypt or niche | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Opening and closing the grave | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Marker or headstone | $900.00 | No price |
| Cemetery subtotal | $3,600.00 | $2,700.00 |
| Total | $12,950.00 | $12,565.00so far: 1 price missing |
| Compared with the lowest total you entered | $385.00 more | Lowest |
List B has no price for: Marker or headstone. Ask for these prices: a General Price List must show the price of each required item the funeral home offers. Until then its total is not complete, so the comparison is not either.
A General Price List must carry this sentence above its prices. Anything you did not ask for, and that law or a cemetery requires, must be explained in writing on your statement.
“The goods and services shown below are those we can provide to our customers. You may choose only the items you desire.”
The basic services fee is the only funeral home fee for services, facilities or overhead that the Rule allows to be non-declinable (unless another law requires something). Every other item is your choice.
“The services fee permitted by § 453.2(b)(4)(iii)(C)(1) or (C)(2) is the only funeral provider fee for services, facilities or unallocated overhead permitted by this part to be non-declinable, unless otherwise required by law.”
The price list must show this disclosure right next to the embalming price.
“Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing. If you do not want embalming, you usually have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require you to pay for it, such as direct cremation or immediate burial.”
The price list must carry this disclosure with its outer burial container prices. A requirement usually comes from the cemetery: ask the cemetery what it accepts.
“In most areas of the country, state or local law does not require that you buy a container to surround the casket in the grave. However, many cemeteries require that you have such a container so that the grave will not sink in. Either a grave liner or a burial vault will satisfy these requirements.”
From the FTC's consumer page on the Funeral Rule. The FTC adds that the funeral home cannot require you to be there when it is delivered.
“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.”
16 CFR 453.3(f)(2), 453.2(b)(5)(i)(B)
These are paid to others through the funeral home. If the funeral home adds a charge to them or keeps a discount or rebate, your statement must say so in this sentence. Where a price is not known yet, it must give a good faith estimate.
“We charge you for our services in obtaining: (specify cash advance items)”
“If the prices are not known or reasonably ascertainable, a good faith estimate shall be given and a written statement of the actual charges shall be provided before the final bill is paid.”