FTC Funeral Rule
Your Right to Funeral
Pricing Transparency
Since 1984, the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule has protected your right to honest, itemized pricing from every funeral home in America. Here's what that means for you — and how to use it.
Why does this matter?
The national median funeral costs $8,300 for a burial and $6,280 for cremation. Yet consumer comparison shopping jumped from 8.3% in 2018 to 33.5% in 2022. The families who compare prices save an average of 20–50% — without sacrificing dignity or quality.
6 Rights You Have Under the FTC Funeral Rule
Get prices over the phone
Funeral homes must give you itemized prices by phone. You don't need to give your name, address, or phone number.
Receive a written General Price List
Any in-person visit must include a written GPL before discussing arrangements. This is a federal requirement.
Choose only the services you want
Except the basic services fee, you can decline any service. Funeral homes cannot require embalming, a casket for cremation, or any 'package deal.'
Buy a casket or urn from a third party
Funeral homes must accept caskets and urns purchased elsewhere. They cannot charge a handling fee for doing so.
Decline embalming
No state requires embalming for all situations. If refrigeration is available, you can choose that instead — and it's typically less expensive.
Use an alternative container for cremation
You do not need to buy a casket for cremation. An alternative container (cardboard, pressed wood, canvas) must be offered.
What's on a General Price List?
Every funeral home must maintain a General Price List (GPL) with itemized costs for each service. This is what you'll receive when you visit or call.
| Service Item | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Basic services of funeral director & staff | Non-declinable fee — you must pay this |
| Removal/transfer of remains | Transport from place of death to funeral home |
| Embalming | Not required by law in most states unless viewing is planned |
| Other preparation of the body | Dressing, casketing, cosmetics |
| Use of facilities for viewing | Separate from the funeral ceremony fee |
| Use of facilities for funeral ceremony | Indoor ceremony at the funeral home |
| Graveside service | Service held at the burial site |
| Direct cremation | Cremation without formal service — often the lowest-cost option |
| Immediate burial | Burial without viewing or ceremony |
| Hearse / funeral coach | Vehicle to transport casket |
| Caskets | Must show range; you can buy one elsewhere |
| Outer burial containers / vaults | Required by most cemeteries, not by law |
8 Questions to Ask When Calling a Funeral Home
You can call any funeral home and ask these questions. They are legally required to answer. You do not need to give your name.
- 1What is your basic services fee?
- 2What is the total cost for a direct cremation?
- 3What is the total cost for an immediate burial?
- 4Can you provide your General Price List?
- 5Are there any additional charges not on the GPL?
- 6Do you accept caskets purchased elsewhere?
- 7Is embalming required for the service I'm considering?
- 8What are my options for a lower-cost container?
The Future of Funeral Pricing
The FTC is actively considering updates to the Funeral Rule that would require funeral homes to post their prices online. California has already passed this into law. As more states follow, the funeral industry is moving toward full transparency.
Funeral homes that proactively share their pricing are building trust with the families they serve. On Who Passed On, we track which funeral homes post their prices publicly and award a Transparent Pricing badge to those who do.
Compare Prices in Your Area
We're building the most comprehensive funeral pricing database in America. Browse by state and city to see what families are paying.