Questions to Ask a Funeral Home
You can ask all of this over the phone, before you ever walk into a funeral home. That's not a workaround; it's a right guaranteed by federal law (the FTC Funeral Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 453). A funeral home that won't answer pricing questions by phone is not meeting its disclosure obligations.
Below is a script. You don't need to ask everything in one call, and you don't need to sound like a lawyer. Reading these questions in your own words is enough.
Before you call
Know roughly what you're looking for: burial or cremation, and whether you want a viewing/visitation. You don't need to have this fully decided. "We're leaning toward cremation, but I have questions" is a completely normal way to start the call.
The script
"Hi, I have some questions about pricing before we decide anything. Can you walk me through your General Price List over the phone?"
This opens the door and signals you know your rights. Most funeral homes will say yes immediately.
"What is your basic services fee, and what does it include?"
"What's the price for [direct cremation / immediate burial / a full traditional service], and does that include a casket or urn, or is that separate?"
"Is embalming required for what we're planning, or is it optional?"
"If I want to buy a casket somewhere else, is that allowed, and is there any extra charge for using it?"
"Which charges are cash-advance items (things you're paying to someone else on our behalf), and is there a markup on those?"
"Can you send me an itemized price list by email before we come in?"
"What's the total, all-in cost for what we've just talked through?"
Full question-and-answer reference
Every question above, with the reasoning behind it:
Can I ask for prices over the phone, or do I have to come in?
Yes. You have the right to ask. Under the FTC Funeral Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 453), any funeral home you call is required to give you accurate price information over the phone if you ask for it, and to give you a General Price List if you visit in person. A funeral home that refuses to discuss prices by phone, or insists you "come in to talk about it," is not following federal disclosure requirements. Ask directly: "Can you tell me your basic services fee and the price of a direct cremation or immediate burial?"
What is the basic services fee, and is it required?
The basic services fee is a flat, non-declinable charge every funeral home lists; it covers things like funeral planning staff, obtaining permits, and record-keeping. It applies no matter which other services or merchandise you choose. Ask: "What is your basic services fee, and what exactly is included in it?"
Do I have to buy a package, or can I choose items individually?
You can choose individually. The FTC Funeral Rule specifically protects your right to buy only the goods and services you want, rather than being required to accept a pre-set package. Ask: "Can I select individual items instead of a package, and will you give me an itemized price list?"
Is embalming required by law?
In nearly all circumstances, no. Embalming is not legally required, and a funeral home must tell you this. Options like direct cremation or immediate burial typically don’t require it. Ask: "Is embalming required for what we’re planning, or is it optional?" Get the answer in writing if it affects your decision.
Can I supply my own casket?
Yes. Families have the right to buy a casket from a third party (online or elsewhere) and bring it to the funeral home, and the funeral home cannot refuse it or charge you a handling fee for using it. Ask directly: "If I buy a casket elsewhere, is there any handling fee or restriction?" A "yes" to a handling fee is a red flag worth pushing back on.
What are the cash-advance items, and is there a markup?
Cash-advance items are things the funeral home pays to a third party on your behalf: cemetery fees, obituary notices, officiant honoraria, flowers. The funeral home must disclose if it charges a markup on these. Ask: "Which of these charges are cash-advance items, and do you add anything on top of the actual cost?"
What is the total, all-in cost for what we’re discussing?
Before agreeing to anything, ask for a written, itemized statement of the total cost of the goods and services selected. Funeral homes are required to give you this before you pay. Don’t rely on a verbal total. Ask them to put it in writing.
Do you have prices posted online?
Not every funeral home does. Online price posting isn’t currently required by the FTC Funeral Rule, though some states (like California) require it by law, and it’s increasingly common. If they don’t have prices online, that’s not illegal, but it’s worth asking for a price list to be emailed or faxed to you before you commit to visiting in person.
Next: The first 24 hours · Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule · Paying for a funeral
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