Your Rights at a Funeral Home: The FTC Funeral Rule

Federal law gives you the right to prices by phone, an itemized price list, and to buy only what you want. Here's what the Funeral Rule requires.

Updated November 11, 2026 · Examined Life

The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule applies to funeral homes in every state. It gives you specific rights whether you're planning ahead or arranging a funeral now, and it's the main reason you can compare prices and turn down what you don't want.

What the funeral home must do

• Give prices by phone if you ask.
• Hand you a General Price List to keep when you meet in person to discuss arrangements.
• Let you buy only what you want. You can choose individual goods and services instead of a package. The one exception is the basic services fee, which can't be declined.
• Tell you embalming usually isn't required by law, and not charge for it without your permission unless it's required.
• Offer an inexpensive container for direct cremation. No law requires a casket for cremation.
• Accept a casket or urn you bought elsewhere, with no fee for using it.
• Give you an itemized written statement of everything you selected, with prices, before you pay.

Ways families save

• Compare at least two funeral homes; prices for the same service can vary widely.
• Ask what's included in a package and compare it to the itemized prices.
• Ask about other costs, such as transportation, permits, death certificates and obituary notices.
• Check for veterans' burial benefits if the person served.

If a funeral home won't give you prices or the information you ask for, go elsewhere, and you can report it to the FTC.

The law behind this

• 16 C.F.R. § 453.2Price disclosures.
• 16 C.F.R. § 453.4Limits on required purchases.
• FTC: Shopping for Funeral ServicesThe FTC's consumer guide.

Common questions

Can a funeral home charge me for using a casket I bought online?

No. The Funeral Rule bars a fee for using a casket or urn you bought elsewhere.

Is embalming required?

Generally not by law, except in certain special cases. The funeral home must tell you that and can't charge for it without your permission unless it's required.

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Laws, fees and deadlines change; confirm anything time-sensitive with the agency, court or a professional.