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Many of us don’t have experience planning a funeral. When it’s time to make arrangements, we might ask friends and neighbors for information about local providers. Or ask family members to help shop and sort through the choices. Many of us do research online.

You may not realize it, but the FTC Funeral Rule is also here to help. The Rule gives people rights to important information, and lets them compare prices among funeral homes. Under the Rule, funeral providers must give you an itemized price list when you visit a funeral home to ask about funeral services, and let you see a casket price list before you see the caskets. And, you don’t need to visit a funeral provider to get information; the Rule says funeral homes must give you price information over the phone if you ask for it.

The FTC is reviewing the Funeral Rule to learn how it affects people who shop for funeral goods and services – and how it affects funeral providers, including small businesses. As part of the review, the FTC wants people to send comments to the public record until April 14, 2020. You can comment on the FTC’s general questions, like whether there is a continuing need for the Funeral Rule, and what benefits it gives to people, if any. Or, you can respond to specific questions, including:

  • Should funeral providers be required to post their itemized price lists online?
  • Would a standardized price list format make it easier for consumers to review and compare itemized price information from multiple funeral homes?
  • Should any of the Funeral Rule’s required disclosures be changed to improve clarity?

Learn more about shopping for funeral services. If you think a funeral provider violated the Funeral Rule, report it to the FTC.

If you want to comment on the Rule, please go to the public record. Comments you make on this blog don’t go to the official Rule review public record.

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FTC Staff
February 19, 2020

In reply to by Buck

You can add your comment to the public record until April 14, 2020.  Comments you put here on the blog aren't added to the Rule Review.

Right now, under the Rule, funeral providers must give you an itemized price list when you visit a funeral home to ask about funeral services, and let you see a casket price list before you see the caskets.

And, you don’t need to visit a funeral provider to get information; the Rule says funeral homes must give you price information over the phone if you ask for it.

Lori
February 19, 2020
I would like to see a posted price list of services. In addition, it would be good to have a combination price of services at low, medium and high price services that save off the list.
FTC Staff
February 19, 2020

In reply to by Lori

You can add your comment to the public record until April 14, 2020.  Comments you put here on the blog aren't added to the Rule Review.

usmcoldbreed63
February 19, 2020
Wish I had known about this funeral rule. Had to arrange burial services for Mother. Visited funeral home, asked for prices. Thought I paid for a limo but day of funeral discovered it was for transporting Mother to cemetery. $300 or so. Director was nice, did a great job on presentation of Mother, would use same funeral parlor again if needed. I'd try to negotiate more though and be certain what I was apying for.
FTC Staff
February 20, 2020

In reply to by usmcoldbreed63

You can add a comment about your experience to the public record until April 14, 2020. 

The comments you put here on the blog aren't added to the public record of the Rule Review.

Western Nebraska
February 19, 2020
In Nebraska, direct burial is allowed. However, one must still have the body sent to the mortuary. This will cost you, minimally, $2800 dollars even if you are providing the transportation and casket and the requisite manpower at the grave site. Given the amount for essentially no service this is nothing short of extortion.
Mike's Mother
February 19, 2020
When my son died the only info I got was a total cost would be 21 to 26K for his burial. Well I thought that was horrible cost. I had my son cremated fpr$1100. It is disgraceful the cost.
Elsieon't use …
February 19, 2020
I had to loose my son and the funeral home I chose was very helpful in giving me info for my son's cremation.he didn't have burial insurance. I have my own preplanned and also sister's are aware of this .it helps to know my loved ones.wont have to worry at a time the emotions that come with it
Clf
February 19, 2020
Yes to all three please!
FTC Staff
February 20, 2020

In reply to by Clf

You can add your comment to the public record until April 14, 2020.  Comments you put here on the blog aren't added to the Rule Review.

Don't use your…
February 19, 2020
This is Awesome! At the time our emotions are sooo raw, it’s nice to know if one is being taken advantage of!
Ms. Gray
February 19, 2020
All businesses should have their prices available.
The Shadow
February 20, 2020
If you barely have enough money to live on where do you get enough money for a funeral? I recently had a quote for Seventeen Thousand Dollars for a simple grave site service.
climber
February 21, 2020
A standard format & checklist would be very helpful. The rule has been very help for arrangements we have made!
FTC Staff
February 21, 2020

In reply to by climber

You could use this FTC article about Funeral Costs, which includes a price checklist

The price checklist shows items you might want for a simple burial or cremation, a full-service burial, and other services. You can make copies of the checklist and take it with you when you go to different funeral providers.

Don't use your…
February 21, 2020
What a great idea - wish it was in effect when I buried my parents. Please keep it as I would need this in the future for other relatives.
BogO
February 21, 2020
Pricing should be provided over the phone, on the internet and in person for all their services especially, funeral escort services which they use independent contractors for and pay a price and then believe to add to that cost and charged to public. Also the funeral home should provide the customer a list of funeral escort companies providing that service and allow the customer to choose the company of their choice without the funeral home strong suggestion or saying a company isn't on their vendors list, etc.
FTC Staff
February 21, 2020

In reply to by BogO

To add comments to the Rule Review, go to the public record until April 14, 2020.  

Your blog comments will not be added to the Rule Review.

JLMc
February 21, 2020
In the 3 years, we have buried several family members. This article made me look back. of all we lost only one funeral home offered an itemized list and it was only for our selections. no comparisons were ever mentioned. I wish I had that information then but I have it now so I will walk in informed and ready. Thank you.
Amywill
February 25, 2020
I think in addition to procing Funeral homes and directors should be mandated to share alternative burial availability in the area. Many people would use natural burial sites if they were only aware of their location.
FTC Staff
February 25, 2020

In reply to by Amywill

To add comments to the Rule Review, go to the public record until April 14, 2020.  

Your blog comments will not be added to the Rule Review.

CSB
February 26, 2020
Should funeral providers be required to post their itemized price lists online? OF COURSE. The entire developed world shops online. Would a standardized price list format make it easier for consumers to review and compare itemized price information from multiple funeral homes? Once again, yes. Death is a confusing and stressful time made even more so by having to comparison shop if money is tight.
FTC Staff
February 26, 2020

In reply to by CSB

If you would like your comment to be part of the public record, you must add it there. Click on the words public record to be redirected.

The blog comments you add here will not be added to the public record for the Rule Review.

Juneemoon
February 26, 2020
I think it should be mandatory that every funeral establishment provide clear and concise fees associated with their service...either in person or on line. If they are unwilling to comply then their license to do business should be suspended or revoked.
Concerned Citizen
February 28, 2020
For too long the funeral industry has gotten away with grossly inflated pricing and taking advantage of people at their most vulnerable. The price of their products and services should be readily available in order that consumers may be able to make rational decisions based on facts. Prices should be available online and on request. Honest competition is the only way to bring this industry back to some semblance of fair pricing.
FTC Staff
February 28, 2020

In reply to by Concerned Citizen

Right now, under the Rule, funeral providers must give you an itemized price list when you visit a funeral home to ask about funeral services, and let you see a casket price list before you see the caskets.

And, the Rule says funeral homes must give you price information over the phone if you ask for it.

North Shore Nana
February 26, 2020
Funeral homes should be required to divulge all prices on!ne. It will make it easier for consumers to compare prices.
Widowed and Or…
February 26, 2020
When one has to make funeral arrangements, one is usually under great stress. To have a standardized list of all charges available would help the bereaved compare what is available and make informed decisions while not overspending in their time of need.
Don't use yole…
February 27, 2020
I request that the Rule require Funeral Homes to list ALL their standardized prices online.
FTC Staff
February 27, 2020

In reply to by Don't use yole…

If you would like your comment to be part of the public record, you must add it there. Click on the words public record to be redirected.

The blog comments you add here will not be added to the public record for the Rule Review.

DottyDon't use…
February 27, 2020
Funeral Homes must advertise All their standard prices on theirweb sites.
Paula Chasan
February 27, 2020
I am happy to contribute to the Funeral Rule Regulatory review. 16 CFR part 453, Project No. P034410. It is very important for consumers to have online information about standard prices and services provided by funeral homes. This addition to require online information should be made part of the Funeral Rule. An easy to use online form that displays this information would aid consumers as they compare prices and services and would be very helpful. Sometimes consumers have been blindsided by costs and requirements of cemeteries. Broadening the Rule to apply to cemeteries should be considered.
FTC Staff
February 27, 2020

In reply to by Paula Chasan

If you would like your comment to be part of the public record, you must add it there. Click on the words public record to be redirected.

The blog comments you add here will not be added to the public record for the Rule Review.

Angelina
March 17, 2020
Yes, prices and services need to be transparent as possible.
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