FOR THE CONSUMER

Funerals:

A Consumer Guide

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

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FOR THE CONSUMER

Funerals: A Consumer Guide Funerals: A Consumer Guide Funerals: A Consumer Guide

Inside

A CONSUMER PRODUCT 1

PRE-NEED 2

THE FUNERAL RULE 5

WHAT KIND OF FUNERAL DO YOU WANT? 6

CHOOSING A FUNERAL PROVIDER 8

FUNERAL COSTS 10

CALCULATING THE ACTUAL COST 11

SERVICES AND PRODUCTS 12

CEMETERY SITES 17

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

FOR MORE INFORMATION 19

SOLVING PROBLEMS 23

PLANNING FOR A FUNERAL 24

PRICES TO CHECK 25

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 26
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
FOR THE CONSUMER

W

1

hen a loved one dies, grieving family members and

friends often are confronted with dozens of decisions

about the funeral — all of which must be made

quickly and often under great emotional duress.

What kind of funeral should it be? What funeral

provider should you use? Should you bury or

cremate the body, or donate it to science? What are

you legally required to buy? What other arrangements should you plan? And, as callous as it may

sound, how much is it all going to cost?

Each year, Americans grapple with these and many

other questions as they spend billions of dollars

arranging more than 2 million funerals for family

members and friends. The increasing trend toward

pre-need planning — when people make funeral

arrangements in advance — suggests that many

consumers want to compare prices and services so

that ultimately, the funeral reflects a wise and

well-informed purchasing decision, as well as a

meaningful one.

A CONSUMER PRODUCT

Funerals rank among the most expensive purchases

many consumers will ever make. A traditional

funeral, including a casket and vault, costs about

$6,000, although “extras” like flowers, obituary

notices, acknowledgment cards or limousines can

add thousands of dollars to the bottom line. Many

funerals run well over $10,000.

Yet even if you’re the kind of person who might

haggle with a dozen dealers to get the best price on
2 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

a new car, you’re likely to feel uncomfortable

comparing prices or negotiating over the details and

cost of a funeral, pre-need or at need. Compounding this discomfort is the fact that some people

“overspend” on a funeral or burial because they

think of it as a reflection of their feelings for the

deceased.

PRE-NEED

To help relieve their families of some of these

decisions, an increasing number of people are

planning their own funerals, designating their

funeral preferences, and sometimes even paying for

them in advance. They see funeral planning as an

extension of will and estate planning.

Planning

Thinking ahead can help you make informed and

thoughtful decisions about funeral arrangements. It

allows you to choose the specific items you want

and need and compare the prices offered by several

funeral providers. It also spares your survivors the

stress of making these decisions under the pressure

of time and strong emotions.

You can make arrangements directly with a funeral

establishment or through a funeral planning or

memorial society — a nonprofit organization that

provides information about funerals and disposition

but doesn’t offer funeral services. If you choose to

contact such a group, recognize that while some

funeral homes may include the word “society” in

their names, they are not nonprofit organizations.
FOR THE CONSUMER 3

One other important consideration when planning a

funeral pre-need is where the remains will be

buried, entombed or scattered. In the short time

between the death and burial of a loved one, many

family members find themselves rushing to buy a

cemetery plot or grave — often without careful

thought or a personal visit to the site. That’s why

it’s in the family’s best interest to buy cemetery

plots before you need them.

You may wish to make decisions about your arrangements in advance, but not pay for them in

advance. Keep in mind that over time, prices may

go up and businesses may close or

change ownership. However, in some

areas with increased competition,

prices may go down over time.

It’s a good idea to review and

revise your decisions every

few years, and to make sure

your family is aware of your

wishes.

Put your preferences in writing,

give copies to family members and your attorney,

and keep a copy in a handy place. Don’t designate

your preferences in your will, because a will often

is not found or read until after the funeral. And

avoid putting the only copy of your preferences in a

safe deposit box. That’s because your family may

have to make arrangements on a weekend or holiday, before the box can be opened.

IT’S A GOOD

IDEA TO

REVIEW AND

REVISE YOUR

DECISIONS EVERY

FEW YEARS.
4 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Prepaying

Millions of Americans have entered into contracts

to prearrange their funerals and prepay some or all

of the expenses involved. Laws of individual states

govern the prepayment of funeral goods and services; various states have laws to help ensure that

these advance payments are available to pay for the

funeral products and services when they’re needed.

But protections vary widely from state to state, and

some state laws offer little or no effective protection. Some state laws require the funeral home or

cemetery to place a percentage of the prepayment in

a state-regulated trust or to purchase a life insurance

policy with the death benefits assigned to the funeral home or cemetery.

If you’re thinking about prepaying for funeral

goods and services, it’s important to consider these

issues before putting down any money:

 What are you are paying for? Are you buying

only merchandise, like a casket and vault, or are

you purchasing funeral services as well?

 What happens to the money you’ve prepaid?

States have different requirements for handling

funds paid for prearranged funeral services.

 What happens to the interest income on money

that is prepaid and put into a trust account?

 Are you protected if the firm you dealt with

goes out of business?

 Can you cancel the contract and get a full refund

if you change your mind?

 What happens if you move to a different area or

die while away from home? Some prepaid

funeral plans can be transferred, but often at an

added cost.
FOR THE CONSUMER 5

Be sure to tell your family about the plans you’ve

made; let them know where the documents are

filed. If your family isn’t aware that you’ve made

plans, your wishes may not be carried out. And if

family members don’t know that you’ve prepaid the

funeral costs, they could end up paying for the

same arrangements. You may wish to consult an

attorney on the best way to ensure that your wishes

are followed.

THE FUNERAL RULE

Most funeral providers are professionals who strive

to serve their clients’ needs and best interests. But

some aren’t. They may take advantage of their

clients through inflated prices, overcharges, double

charges or unnecessary services. Fortunately,

there’s a federal law that makes it easier for you to

choose only those goods and services you want or

need and to pay only for those you select, whether

you are making arrangements pre-need or at need.

The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade

Commission, requires funeral directors to give you

itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the

phone. The Rule also requires funeral directors to

give you other information about their goods and

services. For example, if you ask about funeral

arrangements in person, the funeral home must give

you a written price list to keep that shows the goods

and services the home offers. If you want to buy a

casket or outer burial container, the funeral provider must show you descriptions of the available

selections and the prices before actually showing

you the caskets.
6 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Many funeral providers offer various “packages” of

commonly selected goods and services that make up

a funeral. But when you arrange for a funeral, you

have the right to buy individual goods and services.

That is, you do not have to accept a package that

may include items you do not want.

According to the Funeral Rule:

 you have the right to choose the funeral goods

and services you want (with some exceptions).

 the funeral provider must state this right in

writing on the general price list.

 if state or local law requires you to buy any

particular item, the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the

specific law.

 the funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a

fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.

 a funeral provider that offers cremations must

make alternative containers available.

WHAT KIND OF FUNERAL DO YOU WANT?

Every family is different, and not everyone wants

the same type of funeral. Funeral practices are

influenced by religious and cultural traditions, costs

and personal preferences. These factors help determine whether the funeral will be elaborate or

simple, public or private, religious or secular, and

where it will be held. They also influence whether

the body will be present at the funeral, if there will

be a viewing or visitation, and if so, whether the

casket will be open or closed, and whether the

remains will be buried or cremated.
FOR THE CONSUMER 7

EVERY FAMILY IS DIFFERENT,

AND NOT EVERYONE

WANTS THE SAME

TYPE OF FUNERAL.

Among the choices you’ll need to make are whether

you want one of these basic types of funerals, or

something in between.

“Traditional,” full-service funeral

This type of funeral, often referred to by funeral

providers as a “traditional” funeral, usually includes a viewing or visitation and formal funeral

service, use of a hearse to transport the

body to the funeral

site and cemetery,

and burial, entombment or cremation

of the remains.

It is generally the

most expensive

type of funeral.

In addition to the

funeral home’s

basic services fee,

costs often include embalming and dressing the

body; rental of the funeral home for the viewing or

service; and use of vehicles to transport the family

if they don’t use their own. The costs of a casket,

cemetery plot or crypt and other funeral goods and

services also must be factored in.

Direct burial

The body is buried shortly after death, usually in a

simple container. No viewing or visitation is involved, so no embalming is necessary. A memorial

service may be held at the graveside or later. Direct

burial usually costs less than the “traditional,”

full-service funeral. Costs include the funeral

home’s basic services fee, as well as transportation

and care of the body, the purchase of a casket or
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 8

burial container and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the

family chooses to be at the cemetery for the burial,

the funeral home often charges an additional fee for

a graveside service.

Direct cremation

The body is cremated shortly after death, without

embalming. The cremated remains are placed in an

urn or other container. No viewing or visitation is

involved, although a memorial service may be held,

with or without the cremated remains present. The

remains can be kept in the home, buried or placed

in a crypt or niche in a cemetery, or buried or

scattered in a favorite spot. Direct cremation usually costs less than the “traditional,” full-service

funeral. Costs include the funeral home’s basic

services fee, as well as transportation and care of

the body. A crematory fee may be included or, if

the funeral home does not own the crematory, the

fee may be added on. There also will be a charge

for an urn or other container. The cost of a cemetery plot or crypt is included only if the remains

are buried or entombed.

Funeral providers who offer direct cremations also

must offer to provide an alternative container that

can be used in place of a casket.

CHOOSING A FUNERAL PROVIDER

Many people don’t realize that they are not legally

required to use a funeral home to plan and conduct

a funeral. However, because they have little experience with the many details and legal requirements
FOR THE CONSUMER 9

involved and may be emotionally distraught when

it’s time to make the plans, many people find the

services of a professional funeral home to be a

comfort.

Consumers often select a funeral home or cemetery

because it’s close to home, has served the family in

the past, or has been recommended by someone

they trust. But people who limit their search to just

one funeral home may risk paying more than

necessary for the funeral or narrowing their choice

of goods and services.

Comparison shopping need not be difficult, especially if it’s done before the need for a funeral

arises. If you visit a funeral home in person, the

funeral provider is required by law to give you a

general price list itemizing the cost of the items and

services the home offers. If the general price list

does not include specific prices of caskets or outer

burial containers, the law requires the funeral

director to show you the price lists for those items

before showing you the items.

Sometimes it’s more convenient and less stressful to

“price shop” funeral homes by telephone. The

Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to provide

price information over the phone to any caller who

asks for it. In addition, many funeral homes are

happy to mail you their price lists, although that is

not required by law.

When comparing prices,

be sure to consider the

total cost of all the items

together, in addition to

the costs of single items. Every funeral home

BE SURE TO CONSIDER THE

TOTAL COST OF THE ITEMS.
10 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

should have price lists that include all the items

essential for the different types of arrangements it

offers. Many funeral homes offer package funerals

that may cost less than purchasing individual items

or services. Offering package funerals is permitted

by law, as long as an itemized price list also is

provided. But only by using the price lists can you

accurately compare total costs.

In addition, there’s a growing trend toward consolidation in the funeral home industry, and many

neighborhood funeral homes are thought to be

locally owned when in fact, they’re owned by a

national corporation. If this issue is important to

you, you may want to ask if the funeral home is

locally owned.

FUNERAL COSTS

Funeral costs include:

1. Basic services fee for the funeral director and staff

The Funeral Rule allows funeral providers to

charge a basic services fee that customers cannot

decline to pay. The basic services fee includes

services that are common to all funerals, regardless

of the specific arrangement. These include funeral

planning, securing the necessary permits and copies

of death certificates, preparing the notices, sheltering the remains, and coordinating the arrangements

with the cemetery, crematory or other third parties.

The fee does not include charges for optional

services or merchandise.
FOR THE CONSUMER 11

2. Charges for other services and merchandise

These are costs for optional goods and services such

as transporting the remains; embalming and other

preparation; use of the funeral home for the viewing, ceremony or memorial service; use of equipment and staff for a graveside service; use of a

hearse or limousine; a casket, outer burial container

or alternate container; and cremation or interment.

3. Cash advances

These are fees charged by the funeral home for

goods and services it buys from outside vendors on

your behalf, including flowers, obituary notices,

pallbearers, officiating clergy, and organists and

soloists. Some funeral providers charge you their

cost for the items they buy on your behalf. Others

add a service fee to their cost. The Funeral Rule

requires those who charge an extra fee to disclose

that fact in writing, although it doesn’t require them

to specify the amount of their markup. The Rule

also requires funeral providers to tell you if there

are refunds, discounts or rebates from the supplier

on any cash advance item.

CALCULATING THE ACTUAL COST

The funeral provider must give you an itemized

statement of the total cost of the funeral goods and

services you have selected when you are making the

arrangements. If the funeral provider doesn’t know

the cost of the cash advance items at the time, he or

she is required to give you a written “good faith

estimate.” This statement also must disclose any
12 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

legal, cemetery or crematory requirements that you

purchase any specific funeral goods or services.

The Funeral Rule does not require any specific

format for this information. Funeral providers may

include it in any document they give you at the end

of your discussion about funeral arrangements.

SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

Embalming

Many funeral homes require embalming if you’re

planning a viewing or visitation. But embalming

generally is not necessary or legally required if the

body is buried or cremated shortly after death.

Eliminating this service can save you hundreds of

dollars. Under the Funeral Rule, a funeral provider:

 may not provide embalming services without

permission.

 may not falsely state that embalming is required

by law.

 must disclose in writing that embalming is not

required by law, except in certain special cases.

 may not charge a fee for unauthorized embalming unless embalming is required by state law.

 must disclose in writing that you usually have

the right to choose a disposition, such as direct

cremation or immediate burial, that does not

require embalming if you do not want this

service.

 must disclose in writing that some funeral

arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing,

may make embalming a practical necessity and,

if so, a required purchase.
FOR THE CONSUMER 13

Caskets

For a “traditional,” full-service funeral:

A casket often is the single most expensive item

you’ll buy if you plan a “traditional,” full-service

funeral. Caskets vary widely in style and price and

are sold primarily for their visual appeal. Typically,

they’re constructed of metal, wood, fiberboard,

fiberglass or plastic. Although an average casket

costs slightly more than $2,000, some mahogany,

bronze or copper caskets sell for as much as

$10,000.

When you visit a funeral

home or showroom to

shop for a casket, the

Funeral Rule requires

the funeral director to

show you a list of

caskets the company

sells, with descriptions and prices,

before showing you the caskets. Industry studies

show that the average casket shopper buys one of

the first three models shown, generally the

middle-priced of the three. So it’s in the seller’s

best interest to start out by showing you higher-end

models. If you haven’t seen some of the

lower-priced models on the price list, ask to see

them — but don’t be surprised if they’re not prominently displayed, or not on display at all.

Traditionally, caskets have been sold only by

funeral homes. But with increasing frequency,

showrooms and websites operated by “third-party”

dealers are selling caskets. You can buy a casket

from one of these dealers and have it shipped

directly to the funeral home. The Funeral Rule

CASKETS VARY WIDELY

IN STYLE AND PRICE.
14 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

requires funeral homes to agree to use a casket you

bought elsewhere, and doesn’t allow them to charge

you a fee for using it.

No matter where or when you’re buying a casket,

it’s important to remember that its purpose is to

provide a dignified way to move the body before

burial or cremation. No casket, regardless of its

qualities or cost, will preserve a body forever.

Metal caskets frequently are described as

“gasketed,” “protective” or “sealer” caskets. These

terms mean that the casket has a rubber gasket or

some other feature that is designed to delay the

penetration of water into the casket and prevent

rust. The Funeral Rule forbids claims that these

features help preserve the remains indefinitely

because they don’t. They just add to the cost of the

casket.

Most metal caskets are made from rolled steel of

varying gauges — the lower the gauge, the thicker

the steel. Some metal caskets come with a warranty

for longevity. Wooden caskets generally are not

gasketed and don’t have a warranty for longevity.

They can be hardwood like mahogany, walnut,

cherry or oak, or softwood like pine. Pine caskets

are a less expensive option, but funeral homes

rarely display them. Manufacturers of both wooden

and metal caskets usually warrant workmanship and

materials.

For cremation:

Many families that opt to have their loved ones

cremated rent a casket from the funeral home for

the visitation and funeral, eliminating the cost of
FOR THE CONSUMER 15

buying a casket. If you opt for visitation and cremation, ask about the rental option. For those who

choose a direct cremation without a viewing or

other ceremony where the body is present, the

funeral provider must offer an inexpensive unfinished wood box or alternative container, a

non-metal enclosure — pressboard, cardboard or

canvas — that is cremated with the body.

Under the Funeral Rule, funeral directors who offer

direct cremations:

 may not tell you that state or local law requires a

casket for direct cremations, because none do;

 must disclose in writing your right to buy an

unfinished wood box or an alternative container

for a direct cremation; and

 must make an unfinished wood box or other

alternative container available for direct cremations.

Burial Vaults or Grave Liners

Burial vaults or grave liners, also known as burial

containers, are commonly used in “traditional,”

full-service funerals. The vault or liner is placed in

the ground before burial, and the casket is lowered

into it at burial. The purpose is to prevent the

ground from caving in as the casket deteriorates

over time. A grave liner is made of reinforced

concrete and will satisfy any cemetery requirement.

Grave liners cover only the top and sides of the

casket. A burial vault is more substantial and

expensive than a grave liner. It surrounds the casket

in concrete or another material and may be sold

with a warranty of protective strength.
16 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

State laws do not require a vault or liner, and

funeral providers may not tell you otherwise.

However, keep in mind that many cemeteries

require some type of outer burial container to

prevent the grave from sinking in the future. Neither grave liners nor burial vaults are designed to

prevent the eventual decomposition of human

remains. It is illegal for funeral providers to claim

that a vault will keep water, dirt or other debris

from penetrating into the casket if that’s not true.

Before showing you any outer burial containers, a

funeral provider is required to give you a list of

prices and descriptions. It may be less expensive to

buy an outer burial container from a third-party

dealer than from a funeral home or cemetery.

Compare prices from several sources before you

select a model.

Preservative Processes and Products

As far back as the ancient Egyptians, people have

used oils, herbs and special body preparations to

help preserve the bodies of their dead. Yet, no

process or products have been devised to preserve a

body in the grave indefinitely. The Funeral Rule

prohibits funeral providers from telling you that it

can be done. For example, funeral providers may

not claim that either embalming or a particular type

of casket will preserve the body of the deceased for

an unlimited time.
FOR THE CONSUMER 17

CEMETERY SITES

When you are purchasing a cemetery plot, consider

the location of the cemetery and whether it meets

the requirements of your family’s religion. Other

considerations include what, if any, restrictions the

cemetery places on burial vaults purchased elsewhere, the type of monuments or memorials it

allows, and whether flowers or other remembrances

may be placed on graves.

Cost is another consideration. Cemetery plots can

be expensive, especially in metropolitan areas.

Most, but not all, cemeteries require you to purchase a grave liner, which will cost several hundred

dollars. Note that there are charges — usually

hundreds of dollars — to open a grave for interment

and additional charges to fill it in. Perpetual care on

a cemetery plot sometimes is included in the purchase price, but it’s important to clarify that point

before you buy the site or service. If it’s not included, look for a separate endowment care fee for

maintenance and groundskeeping.

If you plan to bury your loved one’s cremated

remains in a mausoleum or columbarium, you can

expect to purchase a crypt and pay opening and

closing fees, as well as charges for endowment care

and other services. The FTC’s Funeral Rule does

not cover cemeteries and mausoleums unless they

sell both funeral goods and funeral services, so be

cautious in making your purchase to ensure that you

receive all pertinent price and other information,

and that you’re being dealt with fairly.
18 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Veterans Cemeteries

All veterans are entitled to a free burial in a national cemetery and a grave marker. This eligibility

also extends to some civilians who have provided

military-related service and some Public Health

Service personnel. Spouses and dependent children

also are entitled to a lot and marker when buried in

a national cemetery. There are no charges for

opening or closing the grave, for a vault or liner, or

for setting the marker in a national cemetery. The

family generally is responsible for other expenses,

including transportation to the cemetery. For more

information, visit the Department of Veterans

Affairs’ website at www.cem.va.gov. To reach the

regional Veterans office in your area, call 1-800-

827-1000.

In addition, many states have established state

veterans cemeteries. Eligibility requirements and

other details vary. Contact your state for more

information.

Beware of commercial cemeteries that advertise

so-called “veterans’ specials.” These cemeteries

sometimes offer a free plot for the veteran, but

charge exorbitant rates for an adjoining plot for the

spouse, as well as high fees for opening and closing

each grave. Evaluate the bottom-line cost to be sure

the special is as special as you may be led to believe.
FOR THE CONSUMER 19

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Most states have a licensing board that regulates the

funeral industry. You may contact the board in

your state for information or help. If you want

additional information about making funeral arrangements and the options available, you may

want to contact interested business, professional and

consumer groups. Some of the biggest are:

AARP Fulfillment

601 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20049

1-800-424-3410

www.aarp.org

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization

dedicated to helping older Americans achieve lives

of independence, dignity and purpose. Its publications, Funeral Goods and Services and Pre-Paying

for Your Funeral, are available free by writing to

the above address. This and other funeral-related

information is posted on the AARP website.

Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800

Arlington, VA 22203-1838

www.bbb.org

Better Business Bureaus are private, nonprofit

organizations that promote ethical business standards and voluntary self-regulation of business

practices.
20 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Funeral Consumers Alliance

33 Patchen Road

South Burlington, VT 05403

1-800-765-0107

www.funerals.org

FCA, a nonprofit, educational organization that

supports increased funeral consumer protection, is

affiliated with the Funeral and Memorial Society of

America (FAMSA).

Cremation Association of North America

401 North Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 644-6610

www.cremationassociation.org

CANA is an association of crematories, cemeteries

and funeral homes that offer cremation.

International Cemetery and Funeral Association

1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 220

Reston, VA 20191

1-800-645-7700

www.icfa.org

ICFA is a nonprofit association of cemeteries,

funeral homes, crematories and monument retailers

that offers informal mediation of consumer complaints through its Cemetery Consumer Service

Council. Its website provides information and

advice under “Consumer Resources.”

International Order of the Golden Rule

13523 Lakefront Drive

St. Louis, MO 63045

1-800-637-8030

www.ogr.org

OGR is an international association of about 1,300

independent funeral homes.
FOR THE CONSUMER 21

Jewish Funeral Directors of America

Seaport Landing

150 Lynnway, Suite 506

Lynn, MA 01902

(781) 477-9300

www.jfda.org

JFDA is an international association of funeral

homes serving the Jewish community.

National Funeral Directors Association

13625 Bishop’s Drive

Brookfield, WI 53005

1-800-228-6332

www.nfda.org/resources

NFDA is the largest educational and professional

association of funeral directors.

National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association

3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Suite 570

Decatur, GA 30035

1-800-434-0958

www.nfdma.com

NFDMA is a national association primarily of

African-American funeral providers.

Selected Independent Funeral Homes

500 Lake Cook Road, Suite 205

Deerfield, IL 60015

1-800-323-4219

www.selectedfuneralhomes.org

Selected Independent Funeral Homes is an international association of funeral firms that have agreed

to comply with its Code of Good Funeral Practice.

Consumers may request a variety of publications

through the association’s affiliate, Selected Resources, Inc.
22 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Funeral Service Consumer Assistance Program

PO Box 486

Elm Grove, WI 53122-0486

1-800-662-7666

www.funeralservicefoundation.org

FSCAP is a nonprofit consumer service designed to

help people understand funeral service and related

topics and to help them resolve funeral service

concerns. FSCAP service representatives and an

intervener assist consumers in identifying needs,

addressing complaints and resolving problems. Free

brochures on funeral related topics are available.

Funeral Service Educational Foundation

13625 Bishop’s Drive

Brookfield, WI 53005

1-877-402-5900

www.funeralservicefoundation.org

FSEF is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to advancing professionalism in funeral service and to

enhancing public knowledge and understanding

through education and research.
FOR THE CONSUMER

SOLVING PROBLEMS

If you have a problem concerning funeral matters,

it’s best to try to resolve it first with the funeral

director. If you are dissatisfied, the Funeral

Consumer’s Alliance may be able to advise you on

how best to resolve your issue. You also can contact your state or local consumer protection agencies listed in your telephone book, or the Funeral

Service Consumer Assistance Program.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent

fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices

in the marketplace and to provide information to

help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a

complaint or to get free information on consumer

issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-

FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-

4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing,

identity theft and other fraud-related complaints

into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database

available to hundreds of civil and criminal law

enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

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24 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

PLANNING FOR A FUNERAL

1. Shop around in advance. Compare prices

from at least two funeral homes. Remember that you can supply your own casket or

urn.

2. Ask for a price list. The law requires

funeral homes to give you written price

lists for products and services.

3. Resist pressure to buy goods and services

you don’t really want or need.

4. Avoid emotional overspending. It’s not

necessary to have the fanciest casket or the

most elaborate funeral to properly honor a

loved one.

5. Recognize your rights. Laws regarding

funerals and burials vary from state to

state. It’s a smart move to know which

goods or services the law requires you to

purchase and which are optional.

6. Apply the same smart shopping techniques you use for other major purchases.

You can cut costs by limiting the viewing

to one day or one hour before the funeral,

and by dressing your loved one in a favorite outfit instead of costly burial clothing.

7. Plan ahead. It allows you to comparison

shop without time constraints, creates an

opportunity for family discussion, and lifts

some of the burden from your family.
FOR THE CONSUMER

PRICES TO CHECK

Make copies of this page and check with several funeral homes to

compare costs.

 “Simple” disposition of the remains:

Immediate burial

Immediate cremation

 If the cremation process is extra, how much is it?

Donation of the body to a medical school or hospital

 “Traditional,” full-service burial or cremation:

Basic services fee for the funeral director and staff

Pickup of body

Embalming

Other preparation of body

Least expensive casket

 Description, including model #

Outer Burial Container (vault)

 Description

Visitation/viewing — staff and facilities

Funeral or memorial service — staff and facilities

Graveside service, including staff and equipment

Hearse

Other vehicles

Total

 Other Services:

Forwarding body to another funeral home

Receiving body from another funeral home

 Cemetery/Mausoleum Costs:

Cost of lot or crypt (if you don’t already own one)

Perpetual care

Opening and closing the grave or crypt

Grave liner, if required

Marker/monument (including setup)

25
26 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Courtesy of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau

Alternative Container An unfinished wood box or

other non-metal receptacle

without ornamentation, often

made of fiberboard, pressed

wood or composition materials,

and generally lower in cost

than caskets.

Casket/Coffin A box or chest for burying

remains.

Cemetery Property A grave, crypt or niche.

Cemetery Services Opening and closing graves,

crypts or niches; setting grave

liners and vaults; setting

markers; and long-term maintenance of cemetery grounds

and facilities.

Columbarium A structure with niches (small

spaces) for placing cremated

remains in urns or other approved containers. It may be

outdoors or part of a mausoleum.

Cremation Exposing remains and the

container encasing them to

extreme heat and flame and

processing the resulting bone

fragments to a uniform size

and consistency.
FOR THE CONSUMER

Crypt A space in a mausoleum or

other building to hold cremated

or whole remains.

Disposition The placement of cremated or

whole remains in their final

resting place.

Endowment Care Fund Money collected from cemetery property purchasers and

placed in trust for the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery.

Entombment Burial in a mausoleum.

Funeral Ceremony A service commemorating the

deceased, with the body

present.

Funeral Services Services provided by a funeral

director and staff, which may

include consulting with the

family on funeral planning;

transportation, shelter, refrigeration and embalming of

remains; preparing and filing

notices; obtaining authorizations and permits; and coordinating with the cemetery,

crematory or other third parties.

Funeral Planning Society See Memorial Society.

27
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Grave A space in the ground in a

cemetery for the burial of

remains.

Grave Liner or A concrete cover that fits over

a casket in a grave. Some

liners cover tops and sides of

the casket. Others, referred to

as vaults, completely enclose

the casket. Grave liners minimize ground settling.

Graveside Service A service to commemorate the

deceased held at the cemetery

before burial.

Interment Burial in the ground,

inurnment or entombment.

Inurnment The placing of cremated remains in an urn.

Mausoleum A building in which remains

are buried or entombed.

Memorial Service A ceremony commemorating

the deceased, without the body

present.

Memorial Society An organization that provides

information about funerals and

disposition, but is not part of

the state-regulated funeral

industry.

Outer Container

28
FOR THE CONSUMER

Niche A space in a columbarium,

mausoleum or niche wall to

hold an urn.

Urn A container to hold cremated

remains. It can be placed in a

columbarium or mausoleum, or

buried in the ground.

Vault A grave liner that completely

encloses a casket.

29
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
FOR THE CONSUMER
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

WWW.FTC.GOV FOR THE CONSUMER

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