Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. It summarizes the federal FTC Funeral Rule; state laws on funerals, cremation, and burial add their own requirements.
TL;DR
- You have federal rights. The FTC’s Funeral Rule lets you buy only the goods and services you want and requires funeral homes to give itemized prices.
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL). Funeral homes must give you one to keep when you ask in person, and must give price information over the phone — without requiring your name or address.
- Compare at least two funeral homes, as the FTC recommends.
- You can buy a casket or urn elsewhere, and the funeral home can’t charge a handling fee for it.
- Embalming isn’t required by federal law, and a casket isn’t required for direct cremation.
- Browse our funeral homes directory.
What is the FTC Funeral Rule?
Short answer: A federal rule that requires funeral providers to give itemized prices and lets consumers choose only what they want.
The rule took effect April 30, 1984, and was revised in 1994. It applies to funeral providers — including cemeteries and crematories that sell both funeral goods and services — and to pre-need (pre-arranged) purchases. The FTC says violations can bring civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation.
What price information must a funeral home give you?
Short answer: A General Price List in person, price information by phone, a casket price list and outer burial container price list before showing those items, and an itemized statement at the end.
The General Price List (GPL)
You must be given a GPL to keep when you ask about arrangements in person. Per the FTC, the GPL must itemize 16 goods and services (where offered) and include four disclosures:
1. You have the right to select only the items you want.
2. Embalming is not always required by law.
3. Alternative containers can be used for direct cremation.
4. The only fee you can’t decline is the basic services fee.
Phone pricing
Funeral homes must give accurate price information by phone and can’t require your name, address, or phone number first.
Casket and outer burial container lists
You must be shown a casket price list before being shown caskets, and an outer burial container price list before being shown those containers.
Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected
At the end of arrangements, you must get an itemized written statement of what you selected and the total, including cash advance items (such as flowers, obituary notices, or death certificates the home pays on your behalf).
How do you compare funeral homes?
Short answer: Call or visit at least two, get each GPL, and compare item by item.
Tips based on FTC guidance:
– Compare basic services fees — the one fee you can’t decline.
– Compare packages against itemized prices; you can choose items individually.
– Compare direct cremation and immediate burial prices if those fit your wishes.
– Ask about cash advance items and whether the home marks them up.
– Some states require funeral homes to mail price lists; ask.
We didn’t verify national average funeral costs this session, so rely on the GPLs you collect.
What questions should you ask a funeral home?
Short answer: Ask for the GPL, what the basic services fee covers, and how they handle caskets, embalming, cremation, and cash advances.
- May I have your General Price List?
- What does your basic services fee include?
- What’s your price for direct cremation and immediate burial?
- Will you accept a casket or urn I buy elsewhere? (They must, without a handling fee.)
- Is embalming required for what I’ve chosen? Why? (It needs your approval.)
- What cash advance items will there be, and do you add a fee to them?
- Can I get an itemized written statement before I commit?
- If this was prepaid, what’s covered and what isn’t?
Do you have to buy a casket or embalming?
Short answer: No casket is required for direct cremation, and federal law doesn’t require embalming.
- Caskets: You can buy one elsewhere (including online); the funeral home can’t refuse it or charge a fee. For direct cremation, the home must make an alternative container available and can’t require a casket.
- Embalming: Federal law doesn’t require it; the funeral home must get your approval before charging for it. Some state laws or circumstances may require it.
- Outer burial containers (vaults/liners): Not required by law in most areas, but many cemeteries require them.
What about prepaid funeral plans?
Short answer: The Funeral Rule applies to pre-need purchases too. State law governs how prepaid funds are held.
Find out what’s guaranteed, what isn’t, and what happens if you move or the home closes.
Rules vary by state. California is used as an example where state law matters. Check your state court’s official pages, e.g., California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, or the DOJ’s court resources by state.
What happens after the funeral?
Short answer: The executor or administrator handles the estate — paying bills, filing taxes, and distributing property.
See What to Do After a Loved One Dies for the full checklist. You may need an estate attorney, a CPA for final returns, appraisers, and help with the house from an estate sale company, cleanout service, or probate realtor.
What are red flags?
Short answer: Refusing to give a GPL, pushing packages, claiming embalming or a casket is “required by law,” or charging to accept your own casket.
- No price list, or prices only after you give your contact info
- Pressure to buy a package
- Claims that embalming or a casket is legally required when it isn’t
- Casket handling fees
- No itemized statement
If you believe a funeral provider violated the rule, you can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state’s funeral licensing board.
Frequently asked questions
What is a General Price List?
An itemized list of a funeral home’s goods and services and prices, which it must give you to keep when you ask in person.
Will a funeral home give prices over the phone?
Yes — the Funeral Rule requires it, without requiring your name or address.
Can I buy a casket online?
Yes. The funeral home must accept it and can’t charge a handling fee.
Is embalming required?
Not by federal law. Some state rules or circumstances may require it; the home must get your approval before charging for it.
Do I need a casket for cremation?
No. For direct cremation, you can use an alternative container.
What’s the basic services fee?
The one fee you can’t decline. It covers the funeral home’s general overhead and services.
Does the Funeral Rule apply to prepaid funerals?
Yes, it applies to pre-need arrangements.
Where can I complain?
The FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) and your state funeral licensing board.
Sources
- FTC — Funeral Industry Practices Rule: https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/funeral-industry-practices-rule
- FTC — Complying with the Funeral Rule: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-funeral-rule
- FTC Consumer Advice — Shopping for Funeral Services: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/shopping-funeral-services
- FTC — ReportFraud.ftc.gov: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- California Courts Self-Help — Guide to property after someone dies: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate
- Florida Courts — Probate: https://www.flcourts.gov/Courts-System/florida-courts-help/other-resources/probate
- Texas Judicial Branch — Rules & Forms: https://www.txcourts.gov/forms.aspx
- Office of the Illinois Courts — Self Help: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/
- U.S. Department of Justice — Court Resources by State: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/ls/state