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Home › Pay › Common problems › Funeral services
Fees and services

Funeral services

Planning a funeral often happens during grief and under time pressure, which makes it hard to compare prices. A federal rule from the Federal Trade Commission, called the Funeral Rule, gives you the right to see itemized prices and to choose only the goods and services you want. Knowing these rights can help families avoid paying for things they did not need.

Common problems to watch for

  • Offering packages without mentioning you can choose items one by one
  • Showing the most expensive caskets first
  • Suggesting embalming is required by law when it usually is not
  • Implying a casket bought elsewhere cannot be used
  • Pressure to decide quickly, before you can compare prices

Had one of these happen? Telling others what you were charged helps them avoid it.

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Free and low-cost alternatives

Itemized price lists from several funeral homesFuneral homes must give you a General Price List to keep, and must give prices by phone if you ask. Comparing two or three is free.
Direct cremation or immediate burialThese simpler options are usually listed on the price list and generally cost less. A casket is not required for cremation.
VA burial benefits for veteransEligible veterans can receive a gravesite in a national cemetery with space, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
FTC funeral guideThe Federal Trade Commission's free guide at consumer.ftc.gov explains Funeral Rule rights and how to shop for services.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

What fair pricing looks like

A fair funeral home gives a clear, itemized price list and lets you pick only what you want. Packages can be fine if they really save money, but compare them to the itemized total.

Before you pay

  • Ask for the General Price List, and call other funeral homes for prices
  • Ask to see the casket price list before viewing caskets
  • Choose only the items you want rather than a full package
  • Ask whether embalming is truly needed for the services you chose
  • Get the itemized written statement before you pay

How to cancel

  1. Before paying, review the itemized statement and remove anything you did not ask for.
  2. For prepaid funeral plans, read the contract for cancellation and refund terms, which are often set by state law.
  3. Ask where prepaid money is held and get that answer in writing.
  4. If you have a problem, contact your state funeral board or attorney general, and report it to the FTC.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

What price information must a funeral home give me?

Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you price information by phone if you ask, without requiring your name. When you visit, you must get a General Price List to keep, see casket and outer burial container price lists before viewing them, and get an itemized written statement before you pay.

Can I use a casket or urn I bought somewhere else?

Yes. Under the Funeral Rule, a funeral home cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought somewhere else, including online, and it cannot charge you a fee for doing so. Buying elsewhere can save money, so compare prices before you decide.

Is embalming required?

No state law requires routine embalming for every death. A funeral home may require it for certain choices, such as a viewing with an open casket, but you can usually choose options like direct cremation or immediate burial that do not need it. The price list should say this.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.