Know Your Funeral Consumer Rights

If you’re here because someone died and you need to make decisions right now, start with the box below. The rest of this page will be here when you’re ready.

This community loses people. We lose them young, we lose them after long illness, we lose them suddenly—and then someone hands us a contract and expects decisions within the hour. Most of us had no idea we had rights in that moment. We built this page because we wished it had existed when we needed it.

When someone dies, we’re often expected to make expensive, permanent decisions within hours. Most of us don’t know what we’re entitled to. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule exists to protect us—to make sure we can get price information by phone, receive a written General Price List when asking in person, buy only what we choose, and not be pushed into things we don’t want or need. This page explains those rights and what to do if a funeral home doesn’t honor them.

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The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney or other professional familiar with your situation. Funeral, burial, cremation, and consumer-protection rules can vary by state and may change over time. JBG aims to provide careful, good-faith educational information, but readers should verify state-specific details and consult an appropriate professional where needed.

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Your Rights Under Federal Law: The Funeral Rule

The Rule is meant to make comparison shopping possible, reduce pressure, and help you pay only for what you actually want.

The four written documents that matter most are:

• General Price List (GPL): the funeral home’s main itemized price list.
• Casket Price List (CPL): written casket prices, if they are not already on the GPL.
• Outer Burial Container Price List (OBCPL): written prices for vaults and grave liners, if the funeral home sells them and they are not already on the GPL.
• Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected: the written itemized statement showing what you chose and what each item costs before you pay.

Your federal protections apply whenever you engage with a funeral provider, whether you’re making arrangements after a death or planning ahead. The Funeral Rule gives you the rights to:

• Buy only the goods and services you want. You do not have to buy a package that includes items you do not want.
• Get price information by phone. You can call and ask for prices without giving your name, address, or phone number first.
• Receive a written General Price List (GPL) when you ask in person about services, goods, or prices.
• See casket prices before you see caskets (either included in the GPL or as separate price list)
• See the prices of outer burial containers (vaults or liners placed around the casket in the ground) before you see them, if the funeral home sells them.
• Receive a written, itemized statement before you pay.
• Use a casket or urn purchased elsewhere, without an added handling fee.
• Ask for written explanations if a funeral home says a cemetery or crematory requires you to buy a particular item or service.

Funeral homes also may not misrepresent legal, crematory, or cemetery requirements, require you to buy a casket for direct cremation, charge for embalming without permission, or force you to buy certain goods or services as a condition of buying others.

If a funeral provider takes custody of the body, ask what can and cannot be transferred before assuming all arrangements must stay with that provider.

If something feels off, pause.

What the Funeral Rule does not cover

The Funeral Rule applies to licensed funeral providers—funeral homes and funeral directors. It does not apply to third-party casket retailers, monument dealers, or cemeteries that do not have a funeral home on-site. If you buy a casket or urn from an online retailer or a warehouse store, the Funeral Rule protections do not govern that sale. What the Rule does require is that the funeral home you use must accept the casket or urn without charging you a fee to handle it. The third-party seller and the funeral home are governed separately.

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Shopping and Comparing Providers

Comparison shopping is not disrespectful. It’s one of the main protections the Funeral Rule is designed to make possible. You can call multiple funeral homes, ask for prices, compare what is included, and take time to understand the differences between providers.

One thing to know before you start: funeral homes are not currently required by federal law to post their prices online. In a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff review of nearly 200 funeral provider websites, most provided little or no price information, and about 24% appeared to include an itemized price list or General Price List. Use a funeral home’s website to find contact information and basic details, but get actual pricing by phone or by asking for the General Price List in person.

Before you commit to any provider, it’s worth understanding one practical reality: once a funeral home has taken custody of a body, transferring remains to a different provider can be complicated and costly. State law governs this, and policies vary. If you have any choice in the matter, comparing providers before custody is transferred gives you more options than comparing after.

Use direct cremation and direct burial as reference points.

When comparing providers, asking for the price of direct cremation or direct burial is useful because these are typically the least expensive options each provider offers. They give you a baseline that enables comparison across providers.

But they are reference points, not recommendations. Direct cremation and direct burial are not the only options, and they may not be the right fit for everyone. Both can serve as a starting point that you build from. A private viewing before cremation, time to gather with the people who loved them, and being present in some way—these can be added. Asking what is possible, and what it costs, is always worth doing.

A note on timing—”direct” does not mean immediate.

Despite the name, direct cremation does not happen right away. Before cremation can proceed, the funeral home must obtain a death certificate, file it with the state, secure a signed cremation authorization, and receive a cremation permit from the relevant authority. That process typically takes at least 24 to 72 hours—and often longer, depending on your state, the cause of death, medical examiner involvement, and the capacity of both the issuing office and the crematory available.

That window is real. If you want to see the person who died, sit with them, or be present in some way before cremation, ask the funeral home what is possible and what the current timeline looks like. Do not assume the window has closed before you ask.

When calling or visiting funeral homes to compare, ask for:

• The General Price List (GPL)
• The price of direct cremation or direct burial—as a baseline for comparison
• What can be added to either option, and at what cost
• Whether the quote is a fixed price, an estimate, or a range—and exactly what is included
• Transportation fees
• Embalming fees
• Crematory fees
• Permit and paperwork charges—and the current estimated timeline for permit processing in your area
• Death certificate costs
• Any required basic services fee
• Whether prices can be emailed to you*

Take notes, compare providers, and verify what’s included before you agree to anything.

*If you’re making arrangements from another state or can’t go in person, ask whether the provider can email their General Price List. Many will—but they are not obligated to. If a funeral home’s website shows no pricing, that’s legal under current federal rules. The only guaranteed ways to get pricing information are by phone or by visiting in person. Asking by phone is your right under the Funeral Rule, and you do not have to give your name or contact information to receive pricing information.

If a funeral home refuses to provide prices over the phone or pressures you to come in before discussing costs, contact another provider. This behavior is illegal under federal law.

A note on phone quotes: In a 2024 review, FTC staff called 278 randomly selected funeral providers and found that at least 37 quoted different prices for the same services on different calls. A phone quote is a starting point, not a binding commitment. The only reliable baseline is the written General Price List. If the prices you’re quoted over the phone differ from what you see on a written list, ask for an explanation in writing before you agree to anything. (Source: Federal Trade Commission. Calling for Information About Funeral Pricing: An FTC Staff Review of the Consumer Experience When Contacting Funeral Providers Over the Phone. ftc.gov/reports/calling-funerals-prices — November 2024.)

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A printable checklist to help compare providers line by line while you are gathering information.

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Source: Federal Trade Commission

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Funeral Costs and Pricing

Funeral pricing must be itemized. That means you should be able to see what each charge is for, rather than being pushed toward a single total that’s difficult to evaluate.

One fee may be non-declinable: the basic services fee for the funeral director and staff. Other goods and services should be separately priced.

• Basic services fee—the funeral director’s time, staff support, overhead, and coordination
• Transportation—moving the body from the place of death to the funeral home, and then to the cemetery or crematory
• Embalming—preparation of the body for viewing or other purposes
• Viewing or visitation—use of facilities and staff for a viewing
• Funeral ceremony—use of facilities and staff for a service held at the funeral home
• Casket—a separate purchase that may be made from the funeral home or elsewhere
• Outer burial container—often required by cemetery rules rather than funeral law
• Cremation fee—a charge from the crematory, which may or may not be owned by the funeral home
• Death certificates—usually charged per copy
• Permits and paperwork—charges related to filing forms and obtaining authorizations

Cash advance items—charges the funeral home pays on your behalf

Funeral homes routinely pay certain costs on your behalf and then bill you back. These are called cash advance items. They can include:

• death certificates (each copy costs money; you’ll likely need multiple)
• obituary submission fees
• clergy or officiant honoraria (a nominal cash gift for services)
• flowers or other arrangements ordered through the funeral home
• police or traffic escorts
• crematory fees, when the crematory is separate from the funeral home

Cash advance items must be disclosed in your itemized statement. Some funeral homes charge a markup on top of the actual cost; if they do, they are required to disclose this. Ask specifically: What cash advance items am I being charged for, and are these billed at actual cost? If a funeral home is charging more than the actual expense, ask for written documentation of what was paid.

Before you agree to anything, ask for the full itemized statement and read it carefully. If a charge is unfamiliar, ask what it covers. If something seems duplicative, ask for an explanation. A reputable funeral provider should patiently answer any questions you have.

Read the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance directly

For a fuller explanation of your rights when buying funeral goods and services, you can read the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance directly.

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Source: Federal Trade Commission

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Disposition and Service Options

A funeral and a disposition are related, but they are not the same thing.

A funeral or memorial is the gathering, ceremony, or act of remembrance. Disposition is what happens to the body.

Separating those two decisions can make this process easier. You do not have to decide everything at once, and you do not have to do it all through a funeral home.

Traditional Full-Service Funeral

Usually includes transportation, body preparation, a viewing or visitation, a ceremony, and burial or cremation arrangements.

Direct Burial

The body is buried shortly after death, usually without embalming or a formal viewing. A private gathering or time with the person before burial may still be possible—ask the funeral home what the timeline allows. A memorial service can also happen later, separately.

Green/Natural Burial

Burial without embalming, in a biodegradable container or shroud, often without a concrete vault. Availability and cemetery rules vary by location. Confirm what the cemetery allows before you rely on this option, including whether it permits burial without embalming, with a shroud or biodegradable container, and without a vault. The Green Burial Council (opens in new tab) maintains planning resources and provider lists.

Direct Cremation

Direct cremation means the body is cremated without embalming, a formal viewing, or a funeral ceremony arranged through the funeral home. Despite the name, cremation does not happen right away—permits and authorizations take time, typically 24 to 72 hours or longer. That window exists. If you want to be present in some way before cremation, ask what is possible before assuming you can’t. If you choose this option, under federal law, funeral homes cannot require you to buy a casket for direct cremation and must offer you an alternative container.

Memorial Service

A memorial service takes place without the body present—sometimes called a remembrance, a gathering, or by others, a celebration of life.

Whole Body Donation

Some people choose to donate their body to medical schools or research programs after death. This must be arranged directly with the receiving program.

Programs vary widely. Acceptance is not guaranteed, and costs differ from one program to another. Some programs include cremation and some transportation expenses; others require the donor, family, or estate to pay fees or arrange transportation. Ask what happens if the donation is declined, who pays for transportation, whether cremation is included, whether remains can be returned, and what backup plan your family should use if the program cannot accept the donation.

One thing to know before deciding: whole body donation typically means the family will not be able to have a traditional viewing or be with the body in the same way as other disposition options. If being present with the person who died matters to you or others who loved them, discuss this before making arrangements with a donation program.

Other Options That May Be Available in Some States

These options vary by state law and/or provider availability. If you want one of these options, confirm both legal availability and provider availability before making plans.

• Witness cremation—some crematories allow family members to be present for part of the cremation process
• Aquamation—also called alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation
• Natural organic reduction—sometimes called human composting

A meaningful gathering does not have to happen on a funeral home’s timeline or in its space. For many families, separating disposition from remembrance creates more room to choose what actually fits.

This community has always found its own ways to mark a death—at shows, in parking lots, in the spaces where people gather. None of that requires a funeral home.

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Planning Ahead

Planning ahead can reduce confusion, stress, and conflict for the people left to make decisions.

Write Down Your Wishes

Write down what you want, keep it with your other important papers, and make sure the person most likely to handle your arrangements knows it exists and where to find it.

Your written plan can guide the people handling your arrangements, but it does not replace legal documents such as a will, advance directives, or power of attorney.

• burial, cremation, or another form of disposition
• what, if anything, you want done with your cremated remains
• whether you want a service or a gathering
• where you want that gathering to happen
• music, readings, or other elements that matter to you—the songs that were yours, the setlist for the day
• who should be contacted
• any instructions about costs or priorities
• where important papers are kept, including any cemetery, military, preneed, or legal documents

Review this plan from time to time and update it when your relationships, preferences, location, or legal documents change.

This does not require a contract or payment and gives the people around you something steady to follow.

If the person most likely to handle your arrangements is not a legal next of kin, a healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney document can help ensure your wishes are carried out by the right person. This is worth discussing with an attorney.

For help getting started, visit the Planning Ahead section on our Resources page. You may also find the Talking About Death section helpful.

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Prepaying for Funeral Arrangements

Prepaying means entering into a contract with a funeral home and paying in advance for future arrangements.

Before signing any prepayment contract, get clear answers to these questions in writing:

• Where is the money held?
• Is it placed in a trust?
• What happens if the funeral home closes or changes ownership?
• What happens if you move?
• Can the contract be transferred?
• Can it be canceled or refunded?
• What exactly is guaranteed, and what is not?

Do not rely on verbal assurances. Keep a copy of the contract and all written answers with your important papers.

Know the risk before you pay. Prepayment problems are documented and real. Funds have been misused by funeral homes that went out of business, were sold to new owners who didn’t honor prior contracts, or—in some cases—were the subject of outright fraud. States vary significantly in how they protect preneed consumers: some require that funds be held in trust, regularly audited, and fully transferable; others have weaker requirements.

Before signing a prepayment contract, check with your state attorney general’s office or funeral licensing board to understand what protections are in place for preneed funds in your state.

If you intend to set aside money for funeral costs, make sure the person handling arrangements can actually access it when needed; money left only through a will may not be available quickly enough.

If you want the benefits of planning without the risk of a prepayment contract, consider writing down your wishes and keeping those instructions in an easy-to-find place. A written plan may be enough, but it’s stronger if the people most likely to carry it out know it exists and know where to find it.

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Buying a Cemetery Site

Cemetery purchases are separate from funeral home services. Even when the cemetery and funeral home are connected, they may involve different contracts, fees, and rules.

• the price of the grave, crypt (an above-ground vault-like enclosure for a casket), or niche (a small above-ground space to hold urns)
• opening and closing fees
• outer burial container requirements
• installation fees for markers
• maintenance or endowment care
• transfer or resale rules
• any restrictions on monuments or decorations

Prices and policies vary widely, so it is worth asking the same careful questions here that you would ask a funeral home. While the Funeral Rule applies to funeral providers, cemetery purchases and cemetery rules may be governed differently.

Many cemeteries require an outer burial container or grave liner to reduce settling. Ask what is required and ask to see it in writing.

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If Something Goes Wrong

If a funeral home does not honor your rights, there are places to take that concern. Most people who experience a problem don’t report it—and that’s understandable. Grief takes everything you have. But if you have the bandwidth to document what happened, it can help you and the next family. Not every complaint leads to a quick resolution, but creating a clear record can still make a difference.

1. Save the Records

Keep the contracts, price lists, itemized statements, receipts, emails, texts, and the names, dates, and times of conversations.

2. Write Down What Happened

Include the provider’s name, who you spoke with, what was said, what was charged, and what you believe was wrong.

A complaint is usually strongest when it identifies a rights violation, broken promise, negligence, mishandling, or an undisclosed charge—not simply that the price felt too high or that your experience was ‘bad’. Explain what happened as clearly as you can, including who you spoke with, what was said, what was charged, and which promise, rule, or requirement you believe was violated.

3. Decide Where to Send the Complaint

For many issues, it’s best to attempt to resolve them directly with the funeral director or the cemetery. Document everything as soon as possible, including dates, names, conversations, and specific details of what happened. Communicate in writing in case you need to escalate the complaint.

If the issue involves licensing, negligence, mishandling of remains, cemetery disputes, contract performance, or conduct beyond the Funeral Rule, contact your state funeral regulator or attorney general.

Your State Funeral Board or Licensing Authority

Most funeral homes are licensed at the state level (except in Colorado and Hawaii). Your state regulator should have a complaint process and can investigate serious issues. If you’re in Colorado or Hawaii, contact your state attorney general’s consumer protection office for information on filing a complaint.

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Source: Funeral Consumers Alliance, https://www.funerals.org/your-rights/filing-a-complaint/.

Contact Your State Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office

For an individual complaint, especially those that may involve criminal activity, this may be one of the more practical places to start.

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Report to the Federal Trade Commission

Report to the FTC if the problem involves Funeral Rule rights, such as refusal to give prices by phone, refusal to provide the General Price List in person, requiring a casket for direct cremation, refusing an outside casket or urn (or charging a handling fee to accept), or failing to provide a written itemized statement.

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Source: Federal Trade Commission, consumer.ftc.gov — accessed April 8, 2026.

Funeral Consumers Alliance

The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) is a national nonprofit that advocates for funeral consumer rights. They maintain a state-by-state list of where to file complaints with your state funeral regulatory board and offer guidance on documenting and pursuing a complaint. If you’re not sure where to start, their resources can help you figure out which agency to contact.

The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney or other professional familiar with your situation. Funeral, burial, cremation, and consumer-protection rules can vary by state and may change over time. JBG aims to provide careful, good-faith educational information, but readers should verify state-specific details and consult an appropriate professional where needed.

Contact Jam Band Graveyard

If you want to reach out to us with a question, a concern, or an experience you want acknowledged, we’re here for that. We can’t file complaints on your behalf, but we can help you figure out where to go, what to document, and what options may be available to you. And if you just want someone to know what happened—we’re here for that, too.

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Funeral Terms

Funeral arrangements involve language many people have never had reason to learn before. This glossary covers some of the terms you’re most likely to encounter.

Tap or click a term to open its definition.

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Where to Go From Here

You came here for information, and we hope you found it. If you want to do something with what you’re carrying—share about the person you lost, say their name somewhere it will be heard, or just tell someone what happened—we’re here for that, too.

We work to keep this information current and useful. If a link is no longer working, or you have questions or concerns about the information on this page, please let us know.