Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule
The federal Funeral Rule lets you buy only what you want, get prices over the phone, and keep a written General Price List. Funeral homes that offer cremation must offer a simple alternative container instead of a casket.
What the Funeral Rule guarantees
- General Price List: the funeral home must give you a GPL to keep when you ask in person.
- Buy only what you want: you do not have to accept a package.
- Phone prices: funeral homes must give prices by phone, and you do not have to give your name first.
- Alternative container: no state or local law requires a casket for cremation; a funeral home that offers cremation must offer alternative containers.
- You may provide a casket or urn bought elsewhere without a handling fee.
- Embalming is not required by any state law for every death.
- Online posting is not required by the federal rule; the FTC says some funeral homes post prices online voluntarily.
- The rule does not apply to third-party sellers or cemeteries without an on-site funeral home.
- Codified at 16 CFR Part 453.
Sources: FTC, The FTC Funeral Rule; FTC, Funeral Industry Practices Rule (16 CFR 453)
Common questions
Can a funeral home refuse to give prices over the phone?
No. Under the Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give price information by phone when asked, and you do not have to give your name first.
Do I have to buy a casket for cremation?
No. No state or local law requires a casket for cremation, and a funeral home that offers cremation must offer an alternative container.