Packages

You don’t have to buy a “package” funeral.  You generally have the right to pick and choose the funeral goods and services you want.  The funeral provider must tell you this in writing on their general price list.

Price List

If you shop in person, the funeral provider must give you an itemized price list.  If you call on the phone, the funeral provider must give you itemized price information if you ask.  This makes it much easier to comparison shop. 

Caskets

A funeral provider can’t prevent you from buying a casket from a third party and  can’t charge you extra if you do.  You can also choose to make your own casket.  If you decide to look at a funeral provider’s caskets, he or she must give you descriptions and prices of all available selections before showing the caskets.   Note that “sealed” or “gasketed” caskets typically add several hundred dollars in cost.  To save money, buy an unsealed casket.  The difference between sealed and unsealed relates primarily to the manner and length of body decomposition. For more information on buying a casket from a third party, see http://www.funeralnet.comwww.funerals.org or www.directcasket.com.

Itemized Statement/Good Faith Estimate

When you are making funeral arrangements, the provider must give you an itemized statement of the total cost.  If they don’t know the cost of cash advance items, the provider must give you a written “good faith estimate”.   Cash advance items may include items such as cemetery or crematory services, flowers, musicians, obituaries, and clergy honoraria.

Embalming

Embalming is usually required if you plan to have a viewing or visitation.  It is not required if the body will be buried or cremated shortly after death.  Eliminating this service can save you money.  The FTC Funeral Rule prevents the funeral provider from misrepresenting the need for embalming and requires written disclosures of your alternatives.

Cremation

If you choose cremation, caskets are not required and a funeral provider can’t tell you otherwise.  If you plan cremation and want to have a viewing, look into renting a casket.  Also, a funeral provider cannot require you to purchase a cremation urn from them.  Urns, like caskets, may be purchased from a third party.

Burial Vaults or Grave Liners

Whether you need to purchase a vault or liner depends on requirements of the cemetery you have selected.  The Funeral Rule prevents funeral providers from telling you that state law requires a burial vault or grave liner.  If you need a liner or vault because of cemetery requirements, the funeral provider must show you descriptions and prices of all available selections before showing them.  You can also buy a vault or liner from a third party dealer.

Preservative Products and Processes

Funeral providers cannot claim that a process (for example, a particular type of embalming) or a product (for example, a casket) will preserve a body indefinitely.

General Planning Advice.  The FTC gives consumers the following sound advice when 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, urn or vault/liner.
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.