Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule
Funeral providers must give you itemized prices and let you choose only what you want. Here is how to use that to your advantage.
5 min read
Federal law gives you specific rights when arranging a funeral. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide a written, itemized price list called the General Price List, to quote prices over the phone, and to let you buy only the goods and services you want (Federal Trade Commission [FTC], 2024).
What the rule requires
Funeral providers must give you the General Price List as soon as you begin discussing arrangements in person. They cannot require you to buy a casket from them; you may purchase one elsewhere, including online, and they must accept it without an extra handling fee (FTC, 2024).
Embalming is rarely required by law. Providers must disclose this and may not charge for unauthorized embalming. Direct cremation and immediate burial options must also be offered, and you can decline a viewing or any service you do not want.
How to compare prices
Call two or three providers and ask for prices on the same itemized services, including the basic services fee, transportation, refrigeration, and any preparation. Costs for an identical service can vary by thousands of dollars within a single ZIP code (FTC, 2024).
Get a calm comparison
NextStep helps you build a short list of nearby providers and a simple comparison sheet so you can decide without pressure.