Choosing a Funeral Home

Choosing a funeral home is not something I ever put any thought to. I grew up in a small town that has only one funeral home. When someone passed away, this was the funeral home that was used.

In most states, there is no legal requirement to use a funeral home to plan or conduct a funeral. However, the details and legal requirements of planning a funeral can be overwhelming, especially during a very emotional time. For this reason, most people find that using the services of a professional funeral home can be a comfort.

I no longer live in that small town, but my parents still do. And while there is still just the one funeral home, it’s no longer the family owned business it once was. The funeral home industry is not exempt from larger corporations purchasing family-owned businesses. This is important to understand when planning a funeral, as it could affect service and pricing.

What do you need to do to choose a funeral provider?
Just like most major purchases, you should comparison shop. Call different funeral homes and get prices over the phone. Under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Funeral Rule, funeral directors are required to provide price information over the telephone to any caller who asks for it. Many funeral providers will mail you their price list, though it’s not required. If you can visit a funeral home in person, the funeral provider is required to give you a general price list (GPL) itemizing the cost of the items and services the home offers. If the GPL does not include specific prices for caskets or other burial containers, the law requires the funeral director to provide pricing before they show you those items.

The FTC’s Funeral Rule was created to help consumers with funeral planning. It covers arrangements for when death occurs and for pre-planning. The Rule does not apply to third party sellers, casket and monument sellers, or cemeteries that don’t have on-site funeral homes.

Under the FTC Funeral Rule you have the right to:

• Buy only the funeral arrangements you want.
• Get price information over the telephone.
• Get a written, itemized price list when you visit a funeral home.
• See a written casket price list before you see the actual caskets.
• See a written outer burial container price list.
• Receive a written statement after you decide what you want, and before you pay.
• Get an explanation in the written statement from the funeral home that describes any legal cemetery or crematory requirement.
• Use an alternative container instead of a casket for cremation.
• Provide the funeral home with a casket or urn you buy elsewhere.
• Make funeral arrangements without embalming.*
  *(No state law requires routine embalming for every death.)

When comparing prices, be sure to consider the total cost of all items together, as well as the cost of single items. Every funeral home should have price lists that include all the items essential for the different types of arrangements it offers. Many funeral providers offer packages that may cost less than buying individual items or services. This is legal as long as an itemized price list is provided as well. You can’t accurately compare total costs unless you use the price lists.

What should you ask when talking to the funeral director?
Whether you are pre-planning a funeral or making arrangements after death, there are questions that you should consider asking such as:

• Are you locally owned?
• What industry groups or associations are you a member of?
• What types of services can I receive here if there is life insurance or if pre-paid arrangements are made?
• What are the necessary steps, materials, and or government regulations to consider when pre-arranging a funeral?
• Am I able to customize the funeral service to meet special preferences?
• What kinds of funeral packages do you offer?

What materials should you receive from the funeral director?

• A General Price List (GPL) and list of services
• A copy of the price list for caskets, urns, and other burial containers, if not included in the GPL
• A written memorandum of charges, if funeral goods and services are agreed upon or purchased

More often than not, we have to choose a funeral home because a death has occurred. If possible, it is still important to shop around and do your due diligence. Prices for funerals can vary drastically from one funeral home to the next.

When you have made your decision, carefully review the services and charges before signing anything; you don’t want to pay for something you don’t want or need. A funeral director can reduce the burden of planning a funeral during an emotional time. Take the time to understand your rights so that an informed decision can be made.

One last tip: pre-planning your funeral will not only take the burden of your loved ones, it will ensure your final arrangements are handled as you wish.