After a loss

Your rights with a funeral home: the FTC Funeral Rule

A federal rule that lets families pick and choose.

The Funeral Rule is a federal regulation enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. It applies to funeral homes across the US and is meant to let families compare prices and pay only for what they want.

What the rule usually guarantees

• Prices by phone. A funeral home has to give price information over the phone if asked.
• A written price list. Anyone who asks in person must get an itemized General Price List to keep.
• Pick only what you want. Families can usually choose individual goods and services instead of a package, apart from the basic services fee.
• Your own casket or urn. A funeral home can't refuse one bought elsewhere, or charge a fee for using it.
• No false claims. A funeral home can't say embalming is required by law when it isn't. It's rarely required by law, though some funeral homes require it for a public viewing.
• Cremation containers. Funeral homes offering direct cremation have to make an inexpensive alternative container available, rather than requiring a casket.

What it doesn't cover

The rule applies to funeral homes. Cemeteries, crematories that don't sell funeral services, and third-party sellers generally aren't covered, though some states have their own rules for them.

If something seems wrong

Complaints can be filed with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and with the state board that licenses funeral directors.