You must also be told of your right to choose direct cremation or immediate burial instead of embalming. Funeral homes are also required to inform you if they add a markup to items they may procure for you, such as flowers, clergy, and obituary notices. In fact, the Funeral Rule requires providers to disclose in writing your right to buy an unfinished wood box or an alternative container for a direct cremation, and they must make these available to customers. In general, the funeral provider must disclose the specific state law that requires you to purchase any particular item on your itemized statement of goods and services selected. And the provider is barred from making claims that caskets or vaults will keep out water or dirt unless that can be proven, or that embalming will preserve a body indefinitely.
Most states have a licensing board that regulates the funeral industry.
You may contact the licensing board in your state for information or help. If you want additional information about how to make funeral arrangements and the options available, you may want to contact interested business, professional, and consumer groups. You can also contact the Funeral and Memorial Societies of America, P.O. Box 10, Hinesburg, VT 05461. This consumer organization offers information on funeral alternatives including advance planning. The Cremation Association of North America offers information about cremation and can refer you to members.